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Before Brigham Young's administration promoted Bronco Mendenhall to head coach, interim athletic director Tom Holmoe fired assistants Mike Empey and Todd Bradford.
The two coaches were dismissed Sunday. BYU began serious talks with Mendenhall last Friday, two days before he got the job.
"I want to make it clear that this decision was not made based upon performance," said Mendenhall, who was introduced as coach Monday. "Todd and Mike are close friends of mine, and are both excellent coaches. Simply, the administration determined there was a need for the new staff to have the flexibility to find coaches who would best match our new offensive scheme.
"I have the utmost respect for those two gentlemen. We will do all we can to assist them in an appropriate and positive manner."
Bradford had a close working relationship with disposed coach Gary Crowton, who hired him two years ago as the receivers coach. His dismissal was expected.
Empey coached the tight ends, a position that new offensive coordinator Robert Anae will take over. In addition to play calling, Anae is expected to coach inside receivers.
With the two openings, Anae and Mendenhall will hire an outside receivers and quarterbacks coaches.
"They needed to create space so Robert can bring in his own people, which I fully support," Empey said. "I think that he should have a right to hire his own people."
The defensive staff may remain intact. Mendenhall said Paul Tidwell, who coached special teams last season, will move to defense.
Offensive line coach Jeff Grimes and running backs coach Lance Reynolds are expected to be retained. Reynolds, who was bypassed for the head coaching job twice in the last five years, is seriously considering other possibilities.
BYU is coming off three consecutive losing seasons for the first time in 40 years. After promoting Mendenhall from defensive coordinator, a staff shake-up was expected.
"I'm at peace with it," Empey said. "I'm good. I love Bronco and all those guys."
Before he got the job, Mendenhall had conversations with Anae. He also is moving quickly to find the two new coaches.
Tulsa offensive coordinator Charlie Stubbs has turned down the quarterbacks job. Stubbs, who interviewed to replace LaVell Edwards, had talked with Reynolds and Mendenhall about being the offensive coordinator.
Mendenhall has contacted Joe DuPaix, the quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator at Cal Poly. His father, Roger, is Skyline High's longtime coach.
"Certainly it would be a dream of mine to coach at BYU," said DuPaix. "Whether it happens, we'll just have to wait and see."
A 1988 graduate of Southern Utah, DuPaix also coached quarterbacks and receivers at Division II Missouri-Rolla. He played for Cal Poly coach Rich Ellerson at SUU.
The 32-year-old DuPaix was an assistant coach at Riverton. He has worked at BYU's summer football camps the last few years.
Mendenhall, who is out of town recruiting, likely will talk with several coaches. Former longtime quarterbacks coach Robbie Bosco, now a BYU fund-raiser, is not considered a candidate at this time.