When examining the recent success of Utah football, seasoned Utah football fans know winning didn't always come so easy. After suffering from years of mediocrity, inconsistency, and often just plain bad football for more than a decade, the 1990's gave Utah fans a taste of unprecedented success.

Former defensive back Edwin Garrette was a starter on the 1992 and 1994 teams, and was a core member of a group of players that helped redefine the football culture at Utah under then head coach Ron McBride and turn the corner to a new era of Utah football.

"I think it was definitely a transition period. When I came in, my recruiting class was a pretty big class. Myself, Kareem [Leary], Ernest Boyd, Jamal [Anderson], we all came in from JUCOs, but came ready to play. The nucleus of the team was a strong one. Sharrieff [Shaw], [Frank] Dolce, [Brian] Rowley, there were a lot of solid parts already there, but the class of 1992 really meshed," Garrette explained.

Garrette and the 1992 class helped drive an impressive turnaround for Utah football. 1992 marked Utah's first bowl appearance in 28 years, followed by another in 1993. However, it was 1994 that showed Ute fans that Utah could make an impact on the national stage.

"I love the U more than a lot of things, and that 1994 season was one of those magical type seasons. Us guys were holding onto that thing until the '04 and '08 teams. They were better than us, but that [1994] team was very good. We were just a very well balanced team and had some really big games. We played Colorado State on ABC in one of the biggest games in WAC history. That season bonded all of us together. We still keep in contact with each other because of the battles we fought together," he said.

Like many of the impact players in the recruiting class of 1992, Garrette arrived at Utah as a transfer from a California junior college (Southwestern C.C.). Garrette, who had offers from schools such as Idaho and Fresno State, felt an instant connection to Utah - mostly because of friendships with Utah payers Vernon Shaffer and Charlie Brown.

With friends in the program and a strong relationship with recruiting coach Dan Henson, Utah seemed like a natural fit for the San Diego native. "Utah felt like home. For me, growing up in Southern California and being there my whole life, I was impressed going to the mountains; seeing the campus and the bench of the mountains. Just seeing the environment at Utah, I thought it was a great opportunity. My parents told me, 'If you can go away, and have the chance to grow up, then take the opportunity.' Some of my fondest years were in Salt Lake City," he said.

Another big accomplishment for Garrette and his teammates was making the BYU rivalry competitive once again. According to Garrette, many of his most memorable moments involve playing against Utah's most bitter rivals. "My favorite memories were anytime we played the Y. It's interesting because a lot of people outside of the state of Utah don't understand the magnitude of that rivalry game. When you're around it, it's a special game," he said.

"My biggest, happiest moment was in 1993 when we kicked the field goal to beat BYU at BYU," he said. "It had to be one of the first times in the history of college football where the opposing team tore down the home team's goalposts. As soon as it went in, we all jumped on the goalpost and tore it down. Late that night someone snuck into Rice Stadium and tore our goalpost down too. It's that type of passion that would be sad to see go."

As a former player, Garrette is disappointed in the uncertain future of the Utah-BYU rivalry, and hopes it can continue. "If they decide not to do it, I think it will be sad. Both schools deserve to play that game. We used to circle that game on the calendar. We wanted to beat those guys. [The rivalry] divides families in Salt Lake City and Orem and everywhere else. Understanding the economics of college football, I know why they might stop playing it, but I think a lot of people will be disappointed," he said.

During his playing days, Garrette was profoundly affected by his relationship with head coach Ron McBride and defensive coordinator Fred Whittingham.

"Coach McBride was definitely a father figure. I love him to death. Him and Coach Whittingham were guys I patterned my life around. These are coaches you're going to respect. They care about you as a football player and as a student athlete and human being. It was just a big family. I still see Coach Mac and he's always happy to see me," he said.

Former defensive coordinator Fred Whittingham made perhaps a bigger impact on Garrette. "Fred was a no nonsense guy. Period. Kyle is a lot like his dad in that sense. He was a straight shooter. He would tell you what the expectations are and his expectation was to do what you're told. You know where you stand at all times. If you don't do it at practice or do things in the classroom, you're not going to be playing. He's holding you accountable to do the things you have to do," he explained.

Since graduating from Utah in 1994, Garrette has returned to his hometown San Diego and is a 13 year veteran of the San Diego Police Department and has been a member of the SWAT team for the past five years. Garrette also stays connected to the game he loves as the varsity football coach at an area high school.

"Growing up in a disciplined setting and then going out to Utah and playing for coaches like Ron McBride and Fred Whittingham, it's made me the person I am today. As a coach, I model myself after Fred Whittingham," he said.

Garrette is proud of his connection to the University of Utah and stays in contact not only with his former teammates, but the current team as well. Despite living in San Diego, Garrette is a season ticket holder, and often meets together with his California-based teammates when the Utes play in the Golden State. He is especially pleased to see former teammates such as Sharreiff Shah get the opportunity to coach the Utes.

"Kyle bringing those guys back from an alumni standpoint, it makes us proud. It's so important to bring guys back to the program because they genuinely care about the program. These guys are Utah guys through and through, and they're going to coach football that way because they love the U. I think that's very important," he said.

When watching the current Utes play, Garrette also sees Kyle Whittingham maintain a connection to the past. "The defense Utah runs now is a version of Fred's defense we ran in 1994. Kyle has tweaked it. He runs more bump and run or two man, but that's Fred's defense," he said.

More than anything, Garrette notices the family culture at Utah that was once such a big part of Coach McBride's tenure and has continued under Coach Whittingham.

"When I was at Utah, we were playing against San Diego State every year. San Diego State had a ton of talent but couldn't win football games because those guys didn't care enough for each other to pay hard for each other on the field. When the going gets tough, those guys become selfish. Utah wasn't like that. Utah has always had a family environment," he said.