McKinney: Search For A Coach Leads to Roach

University of Wyoming Athletics

This column originally appeared in the Jan. 2022 edition of AARP Wyoming News

By Kevin McKinney
University of Wyoming

Without talking to his 1986 team, Head Football Coach Dennis Erickson left the Wyoming program after one season, a move devastating players and fans alike.

The Pokes had finished 6-6 and were excited about their prospects for 1987. Why would their head coach leave without talking to them, and why would he leave for Washington State when the future looked so bright in Laramie?

Paul Roach was the athletics director at the time. He and Cowboy Nation were thrilled with Erickson’s high-powered offense tabbed “Erickson’s Air Express”.

The ’86 Pokes posted significant wins over Wisconsin, Air Force and Utah. The style of play was exciting and a huge improvement over the “wishbone” offense and the 3-8 season of 1985.

The state of Wyoming in general, and Roach in particular, were angered by the way Erickson left, leaving the football program in the lurch. I remember Paul calling a team meeting. His speech to the group was heartfelt and emotional. He finished by telling the players he would find them a dynamic individual to continue their promising trajectory.

The arduous and critical process of finding the right football coach was underway.

I had the pleasure of working with Paul during those days as Sports Information Director. He was a delightful character who fit the Wyoming persona perfectly. The state loved him.

An assistant coach under Lloyd Eaton during the “golden” age of Wyoming football in the 1960’s, Roach had returned to Wyoming after a successful tour in the National Football League where he was highly respected. He came back as Cowboy Joe Club Director and was eventually hired as the school’s athletics director in August of 1986.

Roach created his short list of coaches and presented it to the UW Trustees. While discussing the candidates, Roach was interrupted by the group with a logical question. Who on this list had a more successful coaching pedigree than him?

To make a long story short, the Trustees directed Roach to take the job and add those responsibilities to his duties as athletics director. It was a staggering prospect. The dual role had been done at a few programs nationally, but never at Wyoming.

Paul agreed to take on the daunting task, and what occurred following that historic day was legendary.

But first he had to tell the team. Which he did, by saying something like “I told you I would find you a quality coach, and I have. . . it’s me!” The players were at best skeptical. How would a 58-year-old relate to them? Hadn’t the game passed him by? How could he handle both jobs at his age?

We were all asking those questions

It didn’t take long for Roach to assuage our worries. The Cowboys were 21-5 during his first two seasons at the helm, posting a perfect conference record of 16-0, with two consecutive bowl appearances.

This 58-year-young athletics director and head coach fashioned a remarkable career that will never be duplicated.

I was proud to be a part of it.