BREAKING NEWS: Ty Detmer Returns to BYU Football as Senior Offensive Advisor, Sparking Excitement at LaVell Edwards Stadium
Provo, Utah — A wave of nostalgia and excitement has swept through Cougar Nation as former BYU legend and Heisman Trophy winner Ty Detmer is officially returning to his alma mater in a senior coaching role. Detmer, widely regarded as one of the most iconic players in BYU football history, will rejoin the Cougars as a Senior Offensive Advisor, bringing his vast football knowledge and deep love for the program back to LaVell Edwards Stadium.
The announcement, made early Monday morning by BYU head coach Kalani Sitake and athletic director Tom Holmoe, was met with overwhelming enthusiasm from fans, alumni, and current players. The return of Detmer signals not just a strategic boost for the program, but also a cultural revival of the quarterback-driven legacy that BYU has long been known for.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Ty Detmer back home,” Sitake said in a press release. “He embodies everything this program stands for — leadership, discipline, and an unmatched football IQ. His presence will be invaluable as we continue building a championship-caliber offense in the Big 12.”
Detmer, who won the Heisman Trophy in 1990 and still holds several NCAA records, played at BYU from 1987 to 1991 under legendary coach LaVell Edwards. He threw for over 15,000 yards during his career and is often credited with helping to cement BYU’s reputation as a quarterback factory. After his college career, Detmer went on to play 14 seasons in the NFL, followed by a successful coaching career at both the high school and collegiate levels.
This marks Detmer’s second stint in a coaching capacity at BYU. He previously served as offensive coordinator from 2016 to 2017. Though that tenure had mixed results, his deep ties to the program and vast understanding of quarterback development have only grown stronger since then. Detmer has spent recent years coaching at the high school level in Texas, where he’s continued to mentor young talent and stay engaged in the game.
As Senior Offensive Advisor, Detmer will not be calling plays, but his role will be vital in player development, offensive game-planning, and mentoring the Cougars’ quarterbacks — a position group he knows better than perhaps anyone else in BYU history.
“This is where it all started for me,” Detmer said in a statement. “To come back and help the program that shaped my life is truly special. I’m excited to get to work and help this team compete at the highest level.”
The timing of Detmer’s return couldn’t be better, as BYU transitions into its second full season in the Big 12 Conference. The Cougars are looking to rebound after a challenging 2024 campaign, and Detmer’s presence adds both credibility and inspiration to a locker room in need of veteran leadership and direction.
Fans are already flooding social media with expressions of excitement and support, eager to see Detmer once again walking the sidelines of LaVell Edwards Stadium. For BYU, this isn’t just a homecoming — it’s a bold step forward led by one of its most legendary sons.
