History of Bronco Mendenhall in Timeline

Marc Bronco Clay Mendenhall is an American college football coach currently leading Utah State University's team. Before this, he held the head coach position at the University of New Mexico for the 2024 season. His coaching journey also includes a stint at the University of Virginia, where he served as head coach from 2015 until his resignation in 2021. Prior to Virginia, Mendenhall dedicated eleven seasons as the head football coach at Brigham Young University. Throughout his career, he has achieved a record of 135 wins and 81 losses, participating in fourteen postseason bowl games and securing victories in seven of those appearances.

February 21, 1966: Birth of Bronco Mendenhall

Bronco Mendenhall was born on February 21, 1966.

1981: UVA's Worst Record Since 1981

The 2016 and 2013 records marked UVA's worst performance since 1981.

1984: Graduated from American Fork High School

Bronco Mendenhall graduated from American Fork High School in 1984.

1990: Graduate Assistant at OSU

In 1990, Mendenhall served as a graduate assistant coach at Oregon State University.

1991: Defensive Coordinator at Snow College

From 1991 to 1993, Bronco Mendenhall worked as the defensive coordinator for Snow College.

1993: Defensive Coordinator at Northern Arizona University

Mendenhall became the defensive coordinator for Northern Arizona University from 1993 to 1994.

1994: End of time at NAU

Mendenhall ended his time as defensive coordinator at Northern Arizona University in 1994.

1995: Defensive Coordinator at OSU

From 1995 to 1996, Bronco Mendenhall served as the defensive coordinator for Oregon State University.

1996: Highest National Ranking since 1996

BYU finished with their highest national ranking since 1996 in 2007.

1996: Fired from OSU

Bronco Mendenhall was fired from his position at Oregon State University in 1996.

1997: Secondary Coach at Louisiana Tech

In 1997, Mendenhall worked as the secondary coach at Louisiana Tech.

1998: Defensive Coordinator at UNM

From 1998 to 2002, Mendenhall was the defensive coordinator for the University of New Mexico.

1999: Virginia Cavaliers Football Season

In 1999 the Cavaliers only won against Virginia Tech twice.

2001: BYU's Potent Offense Returns

BYU had a potent offensive attack in 2001 and also in 2005 under Mendenhall which was the best since 2001.

2002: End of Time as DC at UNM

In 2002, Bronco Mendenhall finished his time as defensive coordinator at the University of New Mexico.

2003: Defensive Coordinator at BYU

Bronco Mendenhall accepted the position of defensive coordinator at BYU in 2003.

2004: Gary Crowton Resigns

BYU head coach Gary Crowton resigned in 2004, opening up the head coaching position.

2005: First Year as BYU Head Coach

In 2005, Mendenhall began his tenure as BYU's head coach, leading the team to a 6-6 record and a Las Vegas Bowl appearance. He also brought back the traditional uniforms.

2005: Start of NFL Player Pipeline

Since 2005, over 60 of Mendenhall's players have signed NFL contracts.

2006: MWC Championship and Coach of the Year

In 2006, BYU won the Mountain West Conference championship and Mendenhall was named MWC and AFCA Region 5 Coach of the Year.

2007: Second MWC Championship and Bowl Victory

BYU won their second consecutive MWC championship in 2007 and won the Las Vegas Bowl.

2008: Three Straight 10-Win Seasons and Academic All-Americans

In 2008, BYU achieved three consecutive 10-win seasons and had three players named ESPN the Magazine Academic All-Americans.

2009: Victories over Ranked Opponents and Bowl Win

In 2009, BYU defeated several ranked opponents and won the Maaco Bowl Las Vegas. Dennis Pitta also set the NCAA record for receiving yards by a tight end.

2009: Comparison to Tony Bennett's Hiring

Mendenhall's hiring at UVA drew comparisons to the 2009 hiring of men's basketball coach Tony Bennett.

2009: UVA Wins South's Oldest Rivalry

Virginia won the South's Oldest Rivalry against North Carolina for the first time since 2009 during the 2017 season.

September 1, 2010: BYU Football Independence and ESPN Deal

On September 1, 2010, BYU announced its football program would become independent starting in 2011, accompanied by an eight-year contract with ESPN.

2010: BYU Football 2010 Season

In 2010, BYU started the season 2-5 after facing several strong opponents. Bronco Mendenhall took over as defensive coordinator, leading to a turnaround and a 5-1 finish, culminating in a New Mexico Bowl victory against UTEP.

2011: BYU Football Coaching Changes and 2011 Season Preparations

Before the 2011 season, Mendenhall made several coaching changes, promoting Brandon Doman to offensive coordinator and adding Kelly Poppinga, Joe DuPaix, and Ben Cahoon to the coaching staff.

2011: Mendenhall's Contract Negotiations and Foreshadowing Departure

During the 2011 contract negotiations, Mendenhall alluded to his eventual departure from BYU.

2011: BYU Football's Successful Independent Season

In 2011, BYU finished with a 10-3 record, its fifth 10-win season in six years, secured a seventh consecutive bowl invitation, and won the Armed Forces Bowl against Tulsa, finishing the season ranked #25.

2011: UVA's First Bowl Bid Since 2011

The 2017 season marked UVA's first bowl game appearance since the 2011 Peach Bowl.

2012: BYU Football 2012 Season and Mendenhall Contract Extension

BYU finished the 2012 season 8-5, winning the Poinsettia Bowl. Mendenhall extended his contract through 2016.

2013: BYU Coaching Staff Changes for 2013 Season

Before the 2013 season, Mendenhall brought back Robert Anae as offensive coordinator and appointed Nick Howell as the defensive coordinator.

2013: Ezekiel Ansah Drafted

In 2013, Ezekiel Ansah, a player coached by Mendenhall, was the #5 overall pick in the NFL draft.

2013: BYU Football 2013 Season

In 2013, despite strong offensive performances, including a record-setting game against Houston, BYU's defense struggled, resulting in an 8-5 season and a bowl game loss against Washington.

2013: Mendenhall's Contract Extension at BYU

Mendenhall signed a three-year contract extension with BYU through the 2013 season. While committed to leading BYU through independence, he hinted at reevaluating his long-term future with the program.

2013: UVA's Matching Record from 2013

The 2-10 record in 2016 matched UVA's record in 2013.

November 29, 2015: Mike London Resigns from UVA

On November 29, 2015, Mike London resigned from his position as head coach of the Virginia Cavaliers, paving the way for Mendenhall's appointment.

December 4, 2015: Mendenhall Appointed Head Coach of Virginia Cavaliers

On December 4, 2015, Bronco Mendenhall was announced as the new head coach for the University of Virginia Cavaliers football team, following Mike London's resignation on November 29, 2015.

2015: Joined University of Virginia

Bronco Mendenhall became the head football coach at the University of Virginia in 2015.

2015: Mendenhall's Departure from BYU

In 2015, Bronco Mendenhall announced his departure from BYU after a successful tenure, culminating in a 99-43 record, the second most wins in school history. He agreed to coach the 2015 Las Vegas Bowl against Utah.

2016: Mendenhall's Challenging First Season at UVA

In 2016, Mendenhall's first season at Virginia resulted in a disappointing 2-10 record, the team's worst since 1981 and their fifth straight losing season.

2016: New Mexico Lobos Football Season

In 2016, New Mexico won more than four games.

2016: Mendenhall's Contract Extended Through 2016

Mendenhall's contract at BYU was extended through the 2016 season, reflecting his commitment to the program's future success.

2017: UVA's Surprising Start and Bowl Qualification

In 2017, despite low expectations, Virginia started the season 5-1, including a win against ranked Boise State, and qualified for a bowl game for the first time since 2011.

2017: Virginia Cavaliers Football Season

In 2017, the Virginia Cavaliers football team, despite being projected to finish last in the ACC Coastal, exceeded expectations with wins against Louisville, North Carolina, and No. 16 Miami. The season concluded with close overtime losses to Georgia Tech and Virginia Tech.

2018: Virginia Cavaliers Football Season

The 2018 season saw the Cavaliers finish strong with a dominant win over South Carolina in the Belk Bowl, marking a significant victory for the team and the ACC.

2019: Virginia Coaching Success

In 2019, Mendenhall led the Virginia Cavaliers to victory in the Commonwealth Cup, Jefferson-Eppes Trophy, and the South's Oldest Rivalry. He also took them to their first Orange Bowl.

2019: Virginia Cavaliers Football Season

In 2019, the Virginia Cavaliers had a historic season, going undefeated at home, winning their first game against Virginia Tech in 15 years, securing the Coastal Division title, and earning a spot in the ACC Championship Game and the Orange Bowl.