by Zachary Knecht
Featured Image: Photo by Robert Casey of Weber State Athletics
Weber State’s football program did not need to look very far to find their 12th head coach in their Division I history as offensive coordinator Mickey Mental elevates into the role. The news comes after former head coach Jay Hill committed to the defensive coordinator position at BYU.
Mental and the ‘Cats
Mental, who came on as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for the Wildcats in February 2022, had a successful first season at Weber State as the 19th-ranked offense in the nation, scoring 35.2 points per game. The team’s rushing offense ranked 22nd with 196.0 yards per contest, and was ranked in the top 25 in other significant statistical categories like first downs and third down conversion percentage.
The 37-year-old Olmstead Falls, Ohio native was a big part of the Wildcats’ success this season, reaching the second round of the FCS Playoffs, and a familiar face in the locker room will help allow the ‘Cats to get right back to work next season.
βHe knows our players and coach, and the key factors that have contributed to the successful culture of this team,β said Brad Mortensen, WSU President. βI’m excited to see the direction Coach Mental takes the program.β
Previous Experience
The Weber State position will not be the first head coaching gig for Mental as he coached at Notre Dame College for two years in his 13-year tenure with the team. Mental saw much success with Notre Dame, leading the Division II team to a 16-2 record. Notre Dame was an impressive team from both sides of the ball with Mental, but his forte has always been on the offensive end.
Jay Hill praised Mental and his work with the Wildcats team.
βHe did a phenomenal job last season with our offense,β the program’s leader in coaching wins said. βI’m super excited about the future of Weber State football knowing that they have a phenomenal coaching staff intact that will do great things moving forward.β
With his head coaching position, Mental will continue as the offensive coordinator for the Wildcats.
Weber State has every right to be excited with this move as it seems wherever Mental goes, winning follows.