The former BYU coach has passed at 86. He had an indirect, but very important impact on both Idaho State and Big Sky football. In 1979 Idaho State completed an 0-11 season and fired coach Bud Haake. Athletic Director Babe Caccia, a former football coach himself, headed to Provo to hire Edwards' offensive line coach Dave Kragthorpe.
The Big Sky was like most conferences in those days -- a heavy reliance on I-formation, tailback-oriented football. Kragthorpe brought the BYU pass-oriented attack to ISU and the rest is history. ISU won a national championship, most teams in the conference became passing oriented and the Big Sky became known as a quarterback's league, well before the rest of the nation made the transformation.
So Rest In Peace, LaVell, and thanks for the memories.
The Big Sky was like most conferences in those days -- a heavy reliance on I-formation, tailback-oriented football. Kragthorpe brought the BYU pass-oriented attack to ISU and the rest is history. ISU won a national championship, most teams in the conference became passing oriented and the Big Sky became known as a quarterback's league, well before the rest of the nation made the transformation.
So Rest In Peace, LaVell, and thanks for the memories.
