June 8th, 2026

Bronco Mendenhall's secret weapon: How Utah State uses analytics to win | Ultimate Aggie Podcast

The Ultimate Aggie Podcast — Scotty G. & David James

Bronco Mendenhall isn't the coach you think he is. In this episode, Scotty and DJ break down David James' revealing one-on-one interview with Utah State's head coach — and what they found will surprise you. From cutting-edge computer-driven scouting to a revolutionary approach to work-life balance, Bronco is rewriting the playbook on how to build a program in the modern transfer portal era.

What you'll learn in this episode:

How Bronco uses an advanced analytics program to evaluate hundreds of portal targets — down to every single guard pull left or right
Why Bronco refuses to let his staff work 18-hour days — and how it actually makes them MORE productive
How Utah State retains institutional knowledge when coaches leave (hint: it's all in the system)
The reality of replacing 50 players per year in today's college football landscape
The famous Bronco Mendenhall "butt pat" story
NEXT WEEK: Who is Utah State's starting quarterback — and why did Bronco name him in spring instead of waiting for fall camp? We'll break it all down.

⏱️ Timestamps:
0:00 – Intro & What's Happening This Offseason
1:00 – Bronco Mendenhall: Not Who You Think He Is
2:50 – The Computer Program Changing USU Recruiting
4:20 – Old Dog, New Tricks: Mastering the Portal
5:00 – Work-Life Balance & Coaching Efficiency
6:50 – Breaking Down Opponent Tendencies with Data
7:30 – Coaching Turnover & Retaining Knowledge
8:20 – The Full Bronco Mendenhall Interview
35:30 – Reaction & The Butt Pat Story
36:40 – Next Week Preview: USU's Starting QB

Subscribe for weekly Utah State Aggies coverage all year long!
More at KSLsports.com

Utah State Aggies

Ksl Sports