November 15, 2023 |
Photo – Left: The original Paniolo Trophy. Right: The now Paniolo Trophy – Courtesy gowyo.com
Two Mountain West Football Coaches won’t be back next year. One was relieved of his duties. The other is retiring. Wyoming’s Craig Bohl wasn’t one of them. During Monday’s weekly news conference, the Cowboys skipper sounded like he’s staying put, for now, despite a 3-and-3 league record that might have some Mountain West coaches worried.
This past Sunday, Boise State fired Andy Avalos, ten games into the season. Avalos was 22-14 as Broncos head coach, including 5-5 this season. The Broncos went 10-4 and won a bowl game in 2022, but are on the bubble to qualify for a post-season invite this year.
Also over the weekend, San Deigo State Head Coach Brady Hoke announced that he’ll step down at the end of the season. Hoke’s $1.3 million salary ranks eighth in the Mountain West. In fact, it’s $1 million less than the top two in the league — Wyoming’s Craig Bohl and San Jose State’s Brent Brennan — are making.
At Monday’s news conference, Coach Bohl didn’t sound like a man who’s afraid of being the handed the pink slip or who’s looking to retire when asked if he plans to be back in the saddle next year.
It’s not like the season is a bust. The Cowboys are bowl eligible with six wins. They also have a lot to play for on Saturday. The Pokes have a shot at going a perfect 7-and-0 at home for the first time in program history. Wyoming will have to pick up the pieces after an ugly loss and get it done against a Hawaii team that is coming off a huge upset of previously undefeated Air Force.
The Rainbows use a “run and shoot” offense. The Cowboys will have to be ready for anything.
Coach Bohl also looked back at Friday night’s matchup with UNLV, calling it a disappointing loss.
Coach Bohl highlighted the performance of quarterback Andrew Peasley, saying his performance was as gutsy as he’s seen the signal caller play.
Saturday’s meeting between the Wyoming Cowboys and Hawai’i Rainbow Warriors will be the 28th in a history between the old rivals that dates back to 1978. This will be the 27th time they have played for the Paniolo Trophy.
Kickoff is set for noon inside the War. We’ll be on the air at 10:30 Saturday morning with the pregame show.
