MAFU Mentality: The Ron McBride Story

MAFU Mentality: The Ron McBride Story is a three part documentary on former University of Utah and Weber State Football Head Coach Ron McBride. This documentary includes never before told stories from former players, coaches, media members and even opponents . When Coach Mac took over as Head Coach at the University of Utah in 1990, the team had not been to a bowl game in nearly thirty years. Within a few years he changed that. The first episode focuses on the 1994 Utah team that Coach Mac led to a top 10 finish, the first in school history.Coach Mac's focus on recruiting Polynesian football players was a big part of the Utes turnaround, and as such we dedicate the second episode to his work with Polynesians. This work and success has led nearly every college and even NFL teams to copy this focus.The third episode is focused on Coach Mac's legacy, including his coaching at Utah and Weber State, and the impact of his foundation to benefit underprivileged youth in the state of Utah.

Each documentary episode, including extended interviews, will be available to watch for free on Coach Ron McBride’s WatchSports.com channel once the project is completed. You can subscribe to Coach Mac's channel for free to receive notifications when new content is uploaded to his channel. Below is one of the trailers you can watch now.

Coach Mac

Coach Ron McBride took over as Head Coach of the University of Utah football team in 1990. The program had not been to a Bowl game since 1964. His stated goal in his one page contract when becoming coach was to not get embarrassed by BYU.The influential coach helped change not just the fortunes of the University of Utah. He helped change college football in the process, by focusing a great deal of his recruiting efforts on Polynesian athletes. Due to McBride’s impact on the Polynesian community both on and off the field, he’s viewed as a Polynesian godfather.After building up the Utah program, Coach Mac spent time as an assistant at the University of Kentucky, and then served 5 years as the Head Coach at Weber State before retiring from coaching.In retirement, he has focused on helping underprivileged youth through his “Ron McBride Foundation.” The foundation provides after-school program funding for at-risk students in Utah from elementary to K12.

The 3 Episodes

Hear the stories that helped build the early foundation for the Utah Football team's success.

The 1994 Utes

This episode focuses on the 1994 team coached by Ron McBride. It was this team and season that is largely credited with turning the Utah Utes into a winning program. The 1994 team had wins over 1994 Pac-10 champion Oregon, No. 16 Colorado State and No. 18 BYU. They finished the season with a victory in the Freedom Bowl over No. 20 Arizona and its famed “Desert Swarm” defense.

Coach Mac's Polynesian Influence

This episode focuses on the impact that Coach McBride has had on the Polynesian community. Known as a Polynesian godfather, McBride recognized early-on what they could do on the football field. Not only have they become a continued staple of the Utes’ success, their impact is seen and felt all throughout football.

Coach Mac's Legacy

A heart of gold. A fierce competitor. A mentor and father-figure to many. McBride is a man of many superstitions. He also bucked coaching norms by becoming dear friends with his biggest rival, Coach Lavell Edwards at BYU. We look at his career, his overall impact on college football, and go into his post-coaching work through his foundation "The Ron McBride Foundation.”

Interviews

Currently, over 25 former players, coaches and influential leaders have been interviewed for the documentary.
Below are just a few of those who have been interviewed.

Kyle Whittingham

Head Coach, University of Utah
Hired by Coach Mac as an assistant coach after the 1993 season and has remained at the University of Utah ever since.

Kalani Sitaki

Head Coach BYU
Played at BYU against Utah when Mac was Head Coach and now mentored by Coach Mac.

Luther Ellis

Assistant Coach University of Utah
Played for Coach Mac at the University of Utah from 1991 - 1994; 1st Round Draft Pick in NFL

Morgan Scalley

Defensive Coordinator University of Utah
Played for Coach Mac at the University of Utah (2001 - 2002)

Gary Anderson

Former Head Coach, Utah State, Wisconsin, Oregon State and SUU
Both played for and was an assistant coach under Coach Mac at the University of Utah

Shareef Shah

Assistant Coach University of Utah
Played for Coach Mac at the University of Utah from 1990-1993; Covered the Utes football team as a media member from 1994-2002.

See previews with additional interviews here.

Donate to the making of the documentary with a tax deductible donation

We've partnered with the Utah Film Center for you to be able to make a tax deductible donation to help us finish this documentary.
Please be sure to put "MAFU Mentality: The Ron McBride Story" in the comments with your donation.A portion of the proceeds will benefit "The Ron McBride Foundation."Contact us if you have questions.

Please specify the Project Name Your Are Donating To: "MAFU Mentality: The Ron McBride Story"

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Please specify the Project Name Your Are Donating To: "MAFU Mentality: The Ron McBride Story"

Donate $1,000 and receive a "special thanks" in the credits at the end of the documentary.

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