BYU to wear patch honoring LaVell Edwards this season

LaVell Edwards is a name synonymous with the history of BYU football, and the program is making sure to honor that history this season.

The school announced Friday that the football program will be wearing patches honoring Edwards this season, according to Lafe Peavier of Desert News. Players will wear the patches on their jerseys, while coaches and staff will have the patch on the sleeves of their sideline apparel.

"We're all going to remember him forever, but the patch with LaVell was an idea with Kalani (Sitake) and me," BYU athletic director Tom Holmoe said. "Not everybody knows LaVell like we know LaVell, but we certainly want to pay tribute to LaVell. We want to honor LaVell for the man he was, for the coach he was, for the love he gave us."

Edwards began his tenure at BYU as an assistant in 1962, before taking over the head coaching duties a decade later. He would keep his position for 28 years, retiring in 2000 with an overall record of 257-101-3 with the Cougars.

Edwards died on Dec. 29, 2016 at the age of 86.

Among his accomplishments, Edwards captured an astounding 18 Western Athletic Conference championships, with the crown jewel coming in the form of the 1984 national championship.

Edwards' influence was widely spread across the college football world, as numerous coaches spoke on the impact he had on their lives.

Kalani Sitake - BYU head coach, former BYU fullback

Kyle Whittingham - Utah head coach, former BYU linebacker, grad assistant

Mike Leach - Washington State head coach, BYU graduate

Andy Reid - Kansas City Chiefs head coach, former BYU offensive tackle, graduate assistant

Mike Holmgren - Former NFL head coach, BYU quarterbacks coach