QB coach Doman happy in Provo but 'ambitious'

Provo • One of BYU football coach Bronco Mendenhall's first hires after he became the Cougars' head coach prior to the 2005 season was quarterbacks coach Brandon Doman, a former BYU quarterback.

Six seasons later, Doman is still in that position, and flourishing, by all accounts. Mendenhall recently credited much of freshman quarterback Jake Heaps' progress this season to Doman.

Naturally, Doman is fielding questions about his future this week as the Cougars prepare to take on UTEP in Saturday's New Mexico Bowl.

"I love being the quarterbacks coach. I certainly am an ambitious guy. But there's not much more to say about that right now. I am eager to have a good coaching career, and have opportunities to advance in my career. I don't know when or how that will all transpire, but I am confident it will," he said.

Heaps is Doman's latest project. He was also responsible for guiding John Beck and Max Hall to outstanding careers.

"I think [Doman] is the best quarterbacks coach in the country," Mendenhall said.

Bowl bits

The Cougars had sold 2,500 tickets to the New Mexico Bowl as of Monday afternoon, according to officials in the BYU ticket office. That number does not include tickets purchased by BYU fans through the New Mexico Bowl's website or ticket office in Albuquerque. … The Cougars will practice Tuesday night in Provo, then leave for Albuquerque on Wednesday morning. They will practice at Wilson Stadium on Lomas Avenue in Albuquerque on Wednesday and Thursday.

BYU to SF Bowl

The Fight Hunger Bowl in San Francisco has reached an agreement for BYU to play there in 2013 if the independence-bound Cougars are bowl-eligible. The bowl is looking to replace its deal with the Western Athletic Conference now that the WAC has lost four teams to the Mountain West Conference.

The bowl's executive director, Gary Cavalli, told The Associated Press that he has had his eye on BYU since starting the bowl in 2002.

Recruiting update

The Cougars have received a commitment from Brian Rawlinson, an offensive lineman from Oologah, Okla. Rawlinson is planning to go on a church mission before enrolling. He originally committed to North Texas. … Former BYU walk-on Stetson Tenney, an offensive lineman who left BYU to attend Eastern Arizona Community College, has committed to play for Utah State.

drew@sltrib.com

Twitter: @drewjay —

Fifth annual New Mexico Bowl

P Where • University Stadium, Albuquerque, N.M.

Who • BYU (6-6) vs. UTEP (6-6)

When • Saturday, noon

TV • ESPN