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Y. May Be Interested In Hiring U. Coaches
The Deseret News Feature Story
Dec. 14, 2001
By Linda Hamilton PROVO, Utah - Rumors have persisted for days that, with the pending vacancy in the defensive staff at Brigham Young University, Utah defensive coordinator Kyle Whittingham, director of the Mountain West's best defensive unit for the last several years, and his defensive-ends coach, Steve Kaufusi, could figure in Cougar plans for next year. Neither acknowledged any official contact with BYU officials, but both indicated on Wednesday at least some level of interest should the Cougars come calling. Whittingham said BYU is his alma mater, so there is naturally some interest, but he added, "I'm happy at the U." Asked if he'd had any contact with BYU officials, he said, "Not directly. I'm just trying to beat USC," he added regarding Dec. 25 Las Vegas Bowl opponent University of Southern California. Kaufusi said, "I'm flattered they brought my name up," and he said he was in Provo on Wednesday. "I went down there recruiting," he said. He said that he appreciates his name being in the company of other coaches who might be considered to replace the retiring Tom Ramage. Like Whittingham, Kaufusi said, "I've been happy here (at Utah). (Coach Ron) McBride has been good to me." Both said they did not know if BYU had asked permission to speak with them. McBride, on a recruiting trip Wednesday, said no formal request for permission has been made. "There's no substance at this point," he said, though he is aware there could be some interest. "You always worry about everything." McBride added he's more concerned at this point about preparing for the bowl game and recruiting. Utah was to begin practice for the bowl game Thursday afternoon. McBride last week had said the Utes would start Monday, but, with this being finals week, coaches decided they needed 10-12 days to get ready. They want to avoid players going stale with too much work. Kaufusi's younger brothers, Doug and Jason, are both first-team All-MWC linemen for the Utes. Doug, an offensive tackle, is a senior, but Jason is a sophomore and, as a defensive end, he is coached directly by Steve. Provo Herald sports editor Dick Harmon, writing a column on the cougarblue.com Web site Wednesday, urged BYU to hire a top recruiter of Polynesian players, like Kaufusi, who played at BYU. Harmon said BYU officials and Kaufusi "crossed paths" at Turtle Bay, Hawaii, last week while the Cougars were on the Islands for their game with the Warriors and Kaufusi was recruiting. Harmon also said Kaufusi and his wife visited BYU Wednesday.
"Nothing has been done," Kaufusi said, adding, "I'd rather not say
anything. I don't feel like I want to make any comment."
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