The Avalos staff has been fully assembled, perhaps through a series of Zoom and in-person interviews, recommendations, and existing connections or perhaps through Andy Avalos blowing a conch shell from the top of Table Rock. Whatever way it went down, the staff is a mix of something old, something new, something borrowed (none will stay forever), and something blue (bleeding blue, that is). A lot of familiar faces dot the landscape of the Avalos regime as well as some new ones and they’ve got philosophers (Tim Plough), wise great-uncles (Kent Riddle), brash youngsters (Jeron Johnson) and drill sergeants (Reid Kagy). It takes all types to guide a successful team, but one new addition has caught my attention through sheer dogged enthusiasm and tenacity. Of course, I’m talking about the imitable Lucas White, the bearded assistant director of sports performance whose life philosophies are clear: a) squat heavy, and b) tweet “BRONCOS!!!”.

One might be tempted to keep White at arms length for a while...I mean, he did come to the Broncos from San José State, who parlayed a dream season into a MWC title at the Broncos expense. He also could likely crush you fairly easily (he looks like a hugger), but darnit if this hirsute Jon Pall Sigmarsson didn’t win me over through the sheer force of his personality (and the strength of his quads). As a bit of a lifter myself, I’ve always been drawn to the quirky, almost-always-hoarse strength coaches. Jeff Pitman had the old-man-strength and proclivity for decks. Tim Socha had the chrome dome and ability to tame even the wildest Dan Pauls. New head S&C man Reid Kagy has Hulkamania era pythons and the requisite laryngitis for the task. White is moving stacks in the weight room and tweeting BRONCOS in all caps (with 3 exclamation points—no more, no less)—that’s called walking the walk and talking the talk. Some greatest hits:

Sure, he might sprinkle a in from time to time...but that’s just a garnish. BRONCOS!!! is the main course and Coach White is feeding my timeline daily. Think about it—if you’re any kind of regular on this site, I can only imagine you’ve got a healthy amount of cobalt in your blood. As such, can you think of any high (or low) point in your Boise State fandom where White’s tweet of choice wasn’t your EXACT inner monologue?

/Jared Zabransky “rolls” ball to Ian Johnson, who races to corner of the endzone to vanquish the Sooners

(BRONCOS!!!)

/Boise State knocks off Oregon at Autzen behind monster day from freshman Kellen Moore

(BRONCOS!!!)

/Boise State misses field goal at end of regulation in Reno in 2010

(BRONCOS!!!)

/Boise State misses field goal in overtime in Reno in 2010

(BRONCOS!!!)

(@#$%!!!)

/Boise State scores in waning moments to defeat Virginia Tech in Landover

(BRONCOS!!!)

You see, Lucas White is US. As a fanbase, we’re nothing without passion, and this guy is bringing it two syllables and three punctuation marks at a time every. single. day. For that, I salute you, sir (lifts atlas stone in recognition). By saying so little, you’re saying a LOT.

BRONCOS!!!