Before BYU's impressive 68-48 victory over West Virginia in the Big 12 Tournament's second round, there was a moment that captured the spirit of sports camaraderie. BYU basketball coach Kevin Young and star freshman AJ Dybantsa had the chance to connect with Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid, a fellow BYU alum and a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This encounter added a touch of nostalgia and pride as they prepared for their quarterfinal clash against the 2-seed Houston.
Post-game, Coach Young shared with Ben Criddle of ESPN Radio how much he appreciated seeing Reid. Their prior relationship added a personal touch to the tournament experience.
Young expressed his admiration for Reid, saying, “I dapped Coach Reid before the game. He’s a great guy.
I’ve been able to chat with him a little since I’ve taken this job. It was awesome seeing him court-side.”
Young also praised the tournament's organization and atmosphere. “This is an amazing, very well-run tournament.
The city of Kansas City does a phenomenal job. I love this arena.
It’s super nice. The Big 12 deserves a lot of credit for it.
It just feels like a big-time event. I’m happy that we could be in it and continue to play in it.
But in terms of seeing, like, the who’s who in the crowd, it’s awesome.”
Andy Reid's journey from playing offensive tackle at Glendale Community College and later at BYU under LaVell Edwards, to becoming a graduate assistant in Provo, and eventually rising through the coaching ranks to the NFL, serves as an inspiring backdrop to this meeting of sports minds. Reid's presence at the tournament was a reminder of the deep connections and shared histories that enrich the world of sports.