While I never covered LaVell as a beat writer, I had plenty of interactions with him over the last four decades. Just a year or so ago, I called him at home for a football story I was working on and as usual, he was his usual gracious self.
One thing about LaVell was that he was universally loved and respected. Of course everyone knows about his wonderful relationship with former Utah coach Ron McBride, but all of the U. coaches admired and respected LaVell, even the old curmudgeon himself, Rick Majerus.
He always spoke highly of Edwards, and I recall him talking about one of LaVell’s greatest virtues — his patience.