Former BYU AD Tom Holmoe Recognized At Stanford Matchup
PROVO, Utah – Former BYU athletic director Tom Holmoe is being celebrated by the university on Saturday evening as he takes on the role of “Y Lighter” for the matchup against Stanford.
The Cougars are welcoming the Stanford Cardinal to LaVell Edwards Stadium for just the second time in school history on Saturday, September 6.
BYU vs. Stanford: Live Coverage, Insights, And Updates From Provo
Holmoe stepped down at the conclusion of the 2024-25 academic year.
March 1, 2005: Tom Holmoe becomes Athletic Director
Following four years as an associate AD for Development, Holmoe was promoted to director of athletics. For the first time, BYU had both men’s and women’s programs under one leader.
2006: BYU captures first MWC football title with Mendenhall
The Cougars secured their first Mountain West Conference crown in five seasons, also marking Bronco Mendenhall’s first championship as head coach.
2007: Most recent BYU football league title
BYU repeated as Mountain West champions in 2007. That still stands as the football program’s last conference championship.
December 19, 2015: Kalani Sitake named head football coach
Following a Las Vegas Bowl defeat to rival Utah, BYU hired former Cougar fullback Kalani Sitake as its new head coach.
Summer 2016: Big 12 discusses possible expansion
Commissioner Bob Bowlsby and Oklahoma president David Boren revealed the league would consider adding teams.
Ultimately, no schools were added. But the evaluation process allowed programs like BYU to showcase themselves in front of Big 12 officials in Irving, Texas.
That opportunity became important years later when the conference required new members for stability.
2020: BYU posts 11-1 record during COVID-19 season
The pandemic shaped one of the most unforgettable years in Holmoe’s time leading BYU athletics.
While the Big Ten and Pac-12 canceled play, BYU—competing as an Independent—kept its season intact, even with several Power Five opponents canceled.
Holmoe scrambled to put together a full schedule, and the Cougars played 12 games.
They ended the year 11-1, dominating opponents. Yet the College Football Playoff committee downplayed their résumé due to strength of schedule, overlooking that BYU had no league willing to face them.
In pursuit of a New Year’s Six bid, BYU filled in for Liberty, who had a COVID outbreak, against Coastal Carolina on just three days’ notice.
The Cougars’ only loss came to Coastal, but the season remains one of the most iconic in program history.
December 2024: Sitake signs extended deal
Kalani Sitake agreed to a lengthy contract extension, keeping him as BYU’s head coach well into the school’s Big 12 era.
February 11, 2025: Holmoe announces retirement
After two decades overseeing BYU athletics, Tom Holmoe declared he would retire at the conclusion of the 2024-25 season.
September 10, 2021: BYU officially joins the Big 12
With Texas and Oklahoma leaving for the SEC, the Big 12 needed new members.
BYU was among four schools welcomed, alongside Cincinnati, UCF, and Houston.
BYU Cougars 2025 Schedule (1-0, 0-0)
Portland State Vikings @ BYU Cougars | 69-0
Saturday, September 6 – Stanford Cardinal @ BYU Cougars |
BYE
Saturday, September 20 – BYU Cougars @ East Carolina Pirates | Kickoff TBA
Saturday, September 27 – BYU Cougars @ Colorado Buffaloes | Kickoff 8:15 p.m. MT
Friday, October 3 – West Virginia Mountaineers @ BYU Cougars | Kickoff 8:30 p.m. MT
Saturday, October 11 – BYU Cougars @ Arizona Wildcats | Kickoff TBA
Saturday, October 18 – Utah Utes @ BYU Cougars | Kickoff TBA
Saturday, October 25 – BYU Cougars @ Iowa State Cyclones | Kickoff TBA
BYE
Saturday, November 8 – BYU Cougars @ Texas Tech Red Raiders | Kickoff TBA
Saturday, November 15 – TCU Horned Frogs @ BYU Cougars | Kickoff TBA
Saturday, November 22 – BYU Cougars @ Cincinnati Bearcats | Kickoff TBA
