Back to the BYU Cougars Newsfeed

Dick Harmon: Why Roger French was so beloved and impactful while coaching at BYU

Kristin Murphy, Deseret News

BYU alumni Elias Faupula, offensive lineman from 1993-1996, catches up with his former coach, Roger French, who coached from 1980 -2000, during Alumni Day and the final day of spring football practice at BYU in Provo on Friday, March 30, 2012.

PROVO — Roger French delivered something to BYU football that may never be repeated.

The former 21-year veteran assistant to the late LaVell Edwards was a 24-hour-type coach who devoted almost all of his time to the job of protecting BYU quarterbacks.

French, 86, passed away last Saturday morning near his home in Maple Grove, Minnesota, in an assisted care living center, according to his daughter Gail Luedke.