Burman: ‘We Expect Dramatic Improvement Next Year’

LARAMIE -- Tom Burman, sliding his reading glasses up to his forehead, looked up from his handwritten notes and didn't mince words.

"We expect dramatic improvement next year. We need it," Wyoming's long time athletics director said Thursday during a press conference deep inside the bowels of the Arena-Auditorium. "I believe, today, Jay Sawvel is the best guy to get us to a better '26 football season."

That's the vote of confidence that ensures the second-year head coach will see a third.

Get our free mobile app

Burman isn't alone in his optimism, either.

Despite a 4-8 overall record, and statistically one of the worst scoring offenses in college football, nickel corner Desman Hearns took to social media Tuesday night to leave no doubt about his future plans and why he plans to call Laramie home again next fall.

"I'm not going anywhere," the soon-to-be senior penned on X. "Excited to run it back with my guys. I believe in this team, our staff and this university."

After a heartbreaking 13-7 setback against Nevada in front of a sold-out crowd -- and the program's most famous alum, Josh Allen -- inside War Memorial Stadium, Evan Svoboda, the embattled quarterback-turned-tight end who was responsible for that lone touchdown, threw his support behind the second-year head coach.

"I truly do," the Arizona product said when asked if he feels Sawvel and this current staff are still the best bet for this program going forward. "Everything they've done for us this year, especially as seniors, it's unbelievable. I truly think that everyone in that locker room, they all have faith in them.

"... I think he's going to be around for a while, and he's going to continue to improve and build these guys up. So I'm looking forward to that."

Just minutes after wrapping up Wednesday's early signing day press conference, where 20 new Cowboys were officially announced to the public, Sawvel stuck around to take some additional questions about how he plans to fix an offense that scored just 17 points over the final four weeks of the season.

That's not all.

MORE UW FOOTBALL NEWS VIA 7220SPORTS:

* Injured Wyoming Running Back Says He's Entering Portal

* Wyoming Inks 20 Freshmen in 2026 Recruiting Class

* Wyoming in the Market for New Offensive Coordinator

* PODCAST: Offseason 'Rework' Underway in Laramie

* Running Back Terron Kellman Again Looking for New Home

* Wyoming's Leading Receiver Entering NCAA Transfer Portal

* Wyoming's Offense Blanked in 27-7 Loss at Hawaii

* Turning Point, Unsung Hero and What's Next for UW Football

* FINAL LIVE FILE: Hawaii 27, Wyoming 7

* Drube Welcomes Challenge, Pressure of QB Gig at Wyoming

He's heard the calls for his job. He knows the fan base isn't happy with a second straight losing season.

"Look, there's nobody more disappointed in the fact that we don't win every single game than I am, OK?" Sawvel said.

After he spoke about his main priorities -- retaining a majority of his defense, along with key skill players on the other side of the ball, hiring an experienced offensive coordinator and finding at least eight new faces on offense, including a veteran quarterback (one that could cost upward of $500,000, according to Burman) -- Sawvel responded to the outside noise, which has been a constant since his debut when Wyoming got routed on the road at Arizona State.

"Am I going to worry about what someone else's opinion is? No, I'm not, in the fact that, we have things to fix. I know where we've got to go to get these things fixed. I also know, OK, what's the resources to fix certain things?  I know where we're at with that space, and we're in a far better space than what we were a year ago, OK?"

Sawvel didn't deny the public support from Hearns was meaningful.

"What Dez did yesterday is a big deal," he continued. "But, also, what has gone on in my office with a lot of other players, you know, they're like, 'Hey, coach, if something ever happened to you, I'm out.' Well, OK, I know that too, right?

"I know where we're at within the team, and I know where we're at within the culture of the place, and I know where our appeal is to certain things. I also know what areas that we've got to get fixed."

So does Burman.

He talked about the frustration of watching an inept offense struggle to get on the scoreboard. The lack of consistency on offense also didn't digest. He pointed to the UNLV game that took place after a freak October hailstorm where two punts were blocked and returned for touchdowns.

"If we'd have been the sixth most efficient offense in the league, scoring, we'd have won seven games this year and probably seven last year," Burman added. "We have to address that issue. You know, there are no simple answers to complex questions."

While he refused to pin the entirety of the disfunction on departed offensive coordinator Jay Johnson, his mid-season replacement Jovon Bouknight, or Kaden Anderson, a quarterback Burman said he thinks "lost his confidence," what he does know is he wants to see more discipline in the penalty department, physicality at all positions and, last but not least, points.

The fact that the Cowboys' biggest rival, Colorado State, is leaving the conference, and the new iteration of the Mountain West is just on the horizon, only compounds Burman's irritation.

"I want to go into the league and set a tone that we play for championships," he said, referring to the addition of Northern Illinois and UTEP, who will attempt to replace departed long-time members CSU, San Diego State, Fresno State, Utah State and Boise State, who will now join the new-look Pac-12. "I can't honestly look you in the eye and say we're going to play for a championship next year, but I do expect us to. I mean, we have to turn the corner."

Sawvel said Friday he will fly out to meet a new potential play-caller. Another will visit Laramie next week. When the NCAA Transfer Portal opens Jan. 2, he and his staff will scour that list with a fine-tooth comb.

Sawvel wants creativity on offense, especially when it comes to the ground game this program was once known for, he added. He sold that plan to Burman.

He's just checking off the list.

Belief from his boss and players now has now been scribbled out.

"What Dez did was great," Sawvel reiterated. "What Tom Burman has done, he's been tremendous, as far as backing us. I think what happens is, when people walk in this building and they know what goes on in this building, and they know and see where things are in this building, they understand."

- University of Wyoming’s Top 50 Football Players