62+ LaVell Edwards Quotes On Education, Hell And Heaven

LaVell Edwards was an American football coach who served as the head coach at Brigham Young University (BYU) from 1972 to 2000. He is credited with transforming BYU's football program from a small-time regional program into a nationally recognized powerhouse. During his tenure, he led the Cougars to 20 conference championships and one national championship in 1984. Following is our collection on famous quotes by LaVell Edwards on leadership, education, life.

Top 10 LaVell Edwards Quotes

1. The goals and successes of my professional life pale in comparison to my personal goals of an eternal family, receiving exaltation and being with the Savior again.
2. I suspect that these traits-desire, commitment, and good work habits-are important in all facets of our lives. . .
3. I just feel that you reach a point when its time to move on.
4. If we have to go through a mental exercise, yes or no, every time we are faced with a tough decision, we will continue to have trouble with living what we supposedly believe.
5. Edwards said the greatest moment of his career was winning the national championship. The lowest moment (of my career) happens every time we lose to Utah.
6. Being a member of the Church has never placed any roadblocks in my personal and professional life.
7. They can't fire me because my family buys too many tickets.
8. Publicity can become invasive at times.
9. I told Pattie that last night I dreamt that we had a press conference and nobody showed up. I am overwhelmed that so many of you are here.
10. Personally - I also continued my education while I was coaching, attending night school and summer school, taking correspondence courses, etc.

LaVell Edwards Short Quotes

• Coming out of BYU's football spring, 1999, practice: We might have a chance to be pretty good.
• The difficulty in living our religion is when we haven't totally made the commitment necessary.
• I hope I've been a good example to the youth of the church.
• I'd rather lose and live in Provo than win and live in Laramie
• Once I made the commitment to fully live my religion, it was never a problem.

LaVell Edwards Quotes About Life

How do we handle adversity? Adversity is going to be with us in everything that we do, almost in every facet of our lives-in our personal associations, in the mission field, in our chosen professions, in our families. — LaVell Edwards

Edwards said he would like to be remembered for the impact he has had on the lives of his players. In this business we are judged by wins and losses in the media. I don't discount that, but I've never concerned myself much with that . . . except that it helps me stay employed. — LaVell Edwards

My testimony helps me to establish priorities in my life. — LaVell Edwards

Those who have succeeded have also had the ability to overcome adversity, disappointment, and even tragedy in their lives. — LaVell Edwards

I've had a lot of friends in the business that got out earlier than normal. They tell me they got out too early and that I should make sure I've got all I want before I step aside. When I do get out, there are other things that I want to do with my life. — LaVell Edwards

I can't think of anything I would do differently in my life. It would be nice to undo some of my mistakes I made over the years, but then I wouldn't have grown professionally or personally. — LaVell Edwards

LaVell Edwards Famous Quotes And Sayings

Current condition of the BYU football program? I think it's in good shape. We've got some good young players. We've had two or three pretty good recruiting years. We lost some players, obviously, that hurt us, but you always have turnover in college through attrition (graduation, transfers). That's the nature of the game. — LaVell Edwards

I could sum it up in one thing: A guy has to be what he is. He's got to coach and have a philosophy based on his own personality. You see too many coaches trying to imitate other coaches, trying to be someone else. It's all right to emulate the qualities of good coaches but I don't think you should imitate. You've got to be yourself. — LaVell Edwards

After the Cougars' 19-15 Cotton Bowl victory over Kansas State We're the only team in NCAA history to win 14 games in a season. It was just a great experience and I can't say enough about it. . . . People don't know how difficult it is to get up for 15 games. — LaVell Edwards

I went to many coaching clinics, talked to other coaches, read articles, books, etc. Anything I could do that would help me prepare to be the best coach possible. Fortunately, the coaches I had as a player were good men and were excellent role models in setting priorities and relating to the team members and coaching staff. — LaVell Edwards

When we have adversity we oftentimes tend to look around and think that we're the Lone Ranger. We tend to believe that we're the only one who has problems. And we always look around and see others who are more talented, taller, smarter, handsomer, or faster. I can assure you, everyone has problems-even football coaches. The ability we have to handle this adversity will determine the degree of success that we will have in life. — LaVell Edwards

One of our goals was to serve a mission, which we are now doing. After that, we want to keep our family together eternally, be of service in whatever way possible, and endure to the end! — LaVell Edwards

He will return with a greater understanding of himself, greater leadership capabilities, better work habits, and a better knowledge of what it takes to be successful. It really depends on the young man's desire, commitment, work habits, and how important it is to him when he returns. — LaVell Edwards

Speaking as he unintentionally launched his farewell tour by announcing that the 2000 season would be his last before retirement: Honestly, I had never, ever in my wildest dreams believed I would ever do this. All I wanted to do was to play it out and when it was time to go, hang it up, take off and sail into the sunset somewhere. — LaVell Edwards

What motivates me is not one more championship, it is the challenge each year. I have just thoroughly enjoyed starting in spring with a new team and trying to put all the elements together to make a team. — LaVell Edwards

I was asked this morning if it was frustrating to be 13-1 last year and not have more recognition and I said, "Hey man, I'd take that every year. I'd take that kind of frustration and not worry about it one bit. It wasn't frustration, it was one of those great runs and I enjoyed it." — LaVell Edwards

Reminiscing, with obvious emotion, on his long career: It's like the size of the crowd here today. It always surprises me. But I do appreciate it. — LaVell Edwards

Edwards commented as he signed an extension to his contract. We have good young players in the program and strong schedules in the coming years. The future looks bright for BYU football. I also want to get a number of projects off the ground before I retire. — LaVell Edwards

Edwards recalled that he once planned to coach until he was 60 as he signed an extension to his contract. I was about 62 before I ever remembered that's what I had set up. . . . Now I'm already making plans for next year and recruiting. That's the reason for this. I just feel good right now. — LaVell Edwards

My sons served excellent missions, and returned to participate in college athletics. In their letters home, and even now that they have been back for some time, they frequently mention that the experiences in the mission field were the choicest and most gratifying of their lives. You young men, begin to prepare yourselves now for this marvelous experience. — LaVell Edwards

Reminiscing, with obvious emotion, on his long career It has turned out a whole lot better than I ever, ever, ever dreamed. — LaVell Edwards

I had to come up with some criteria to help me; i.e., what the favor was, if it was legitimate, if it was in no way compromising, and if there would be a benefit some way by my participation. — LaVell Edwards

In my career I have had many wonderful things happen to me, many more than I ever dreamed would ever happen. But I would like for you young brethren especially to know that all that has happened to me in my chosen profession is a mere drop in the bucket compared to the truly important things in my life. The testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ that I have, along with my wife and my family, are my most important possessions. — LaVell Edwards

We have reached the point where we can lose a game or two and not drop out of sight in the rankings. I've been asked if it bothers me that BYU hasn't received the recognition it deserves. Well, BYU's gotten a lot of recognition over the years; I've never felt slighted. I honestly believed that we didn't deserve to be ranked any higher last year. — LaVell Edwards

Along with church monies and the United Way, most of the others that I give the most to are organizations for which I have some personal connection in that they have affected family members; i.e., kidney, cancer, heart, and organ donation. My wife and I have also contributed to and been heavily involved with the Boys and Girls Club of Utah County. — LaVell Edwards

Early in my career I determined that I would not bring the problems of my work home with me. For the most part, I have been able to do that. — LaVell Edwards

Professionally - I had the opportunity to play sports throughout my youth, in high school and college. Early on, I decided I wanted to be a coach so I tried to learn everything I could about all positions on the team. — LaVell Edwards

My belief in the gospel of Jesus Christ and the testimony I have of the Savior and His atonement [is my personal shelter]. — LaVell Edwards

Much of coaching consists of teaching and communicating ideas, concepts and philosophies to the players and my education helped make me a much more effective coach. — LaVell Edwards

Looking at the championship-winning quarterbacks, Edwards remembered their particular talents: Steve Young: Here's a guy that is really a talent. He's the best athlete we ever had. He could run, he developed into a good thrower. He's smart. He's intense. He could make it in the movies. Really, he's got it all. He was coachable, but he had his own ideas. He never let up, not even in practice. I'd take Steve Young every year. — LaVell Edwards

At some point in time it will be right for me to step aside. That may be after this year, but that may be after two or three more years. — LaVell Edwards

I know the team, as a whole, has had an impact on the youth of the church, and on the missionary efforts throughout the world. — LaVell Edwards

In the early years, I was able to accommodate most of the requests and favors that came my way, but as the requests multiplied, I had to make tough choices because the numbers were more than I could handle. — LaVell Edwards

Commenting on playoffs to determine a national champion: I'm not in favor of 15 games either. I think that's way too much football. The thing that I feel good about is that these guys hung together through 15 games and played hard every week. That's a marvelous tribute to the kids. We just hung in there today and kept playing. It's just been a special feeling all year long. — LaVell Edwards

BYU takes on defending national champion Florida State in the Pigskin Classic in Jacksonville, Fla., eight days after announcing that the 2000 season would be his last before retirement: We looked at it. We knew it would make things tougher. But how many chances does anyone get to play Florida State? It was too good to pass up. — LaVell Edwards

Not playing on Sunday has caused problems for other organizations or teams who wanted us to do so, but we never had to think twice about such a decision. — LaVell Edwards

Edwards commented as he signed an extension to his contract. They had changed coaches every three or four years before my getting the head job. It was just going to be a matter of when I got fired. There were a lot of people that felt that. — LaVell Edwards

The ability we have to handle this adversity will determine the degree of success that we will have in life. To me, this is where the gospel can be the greatest of help to us. The power of the Holy Ghost is the greatest source of strength and comfort we can have in our lives. The Holy Ghost will not only help us in times of need, but will help us to gain a firm testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ, thereby preparing us for life. — LaVell Edwards

And I want you to know that I have had the greatest support from President Bateman. I could coach as long as I want to and never felt any pressure to reach a decision. — LaVell Edwards

I received my Master's degree from the University of Utah while coaching at Granite High School. I obtained my doctorate from BYU while coaching. I pursued these degrees to prepare myself if coaching didn't work out. — LaVell Edwards

The main reason for doing it now had more to do with the players. This is a great group. This particular group has really worked hard to prepare themselves. And we have a chance to have a good football team. — LaVell Edwards

I honestly haven't thought about it much. When it comes time for me to retire, I don't think I'll know going into that season. I'll have to evaluate it at the end of each year. — LaVell Edwards

I try to give to most legitimate requests, but the amount of my contribution and my personal time varies greatly. — LaVell Edwards

When I started I knew it was a matter of when, not if, I would get fired. That's because that was just the past history of the previous coaches that had been there. — LaVell Edwards

How is your health? I feel pretty good, and I'm very anxious to get the season going. I think we have a chance to have a good football team. I don't have any health problems. I don't know how any of the stuff gets started. . . . My health is very good. — LaVell Edwards

The Wyoming game in 1974, my third year as head coach. My first year, we were 7-4; the second year, we went 5-6; the third year started out 0-3-1. Some of the players got together and had a team meeting to get a few things straightened out. Starting with the Wyoming game, we won 6 straight games and won our first conference championship, the second in BYU's history. We went to the Fiesta Bowl, the first of many bowl games for the Cougars. — LaVell Edwards

Even though I did not go into college teaching, I believe the education I did receive helped me to become a better coach. — LaVell Edwards

Life Lessons by LaVell Edwards

1. LaVell Edwards taught the importance of hard work and dedication, as he was able to build a successful program at Brigham Young University despite limited resources.
2. He also emphasized the importance of team unity and camaraderie, as he believed that success on the field was only possible if the players were united and worked together.
3. Finally, he demonstrated the importance of having a positive attitude, as he was able to motivate his players and create a winning culture at BYU.