The rhetoric surrounding last year’s disappointing first-round loss in basketball did a 180 when newfound momentum translated into some of the best coaching staff hires and recruiting wins in program history.

The real wasted opportunity from the 2024 football season will be if we can’t use success on the field to improve the program. Can we start finding and landing top recruits at current weak groups including QB, DL, OL, etc.? Will the coaching staff have increased opportunity for hiring more assistants and recruiters? More importantly, how do we handle potential recruiting battles and staff poaching by other in-state and nearby teams, do we do what it takes to take another step forward in front of team like Utah, Utah State, and Boise State?

Do these things and people will quickly move on from missing out on the conference championship, but it is important to take a big leap if we want to see this season’s success on a more consistent basis.