Chow became quarterbacks and receivers coach in 1986. In 1990, the Cougars upset defending national champion and top-ranked Miami, FL., 28-21, with nearly 500 yards of offense and Ty Detmer went on to win the Heisman. In 1996, Chow was officially given the title of assistant head coach / offensive coordinator / quarterback / receivers coach. That season, the Cougars with Steve Sarkisian as quarterback, won the WAC and earned its first ever New Year's Day Bowl. BYU came from behind to beat Kansas State in the Cotton Bowl, and finished with No. 5 ranking and a 14–1 record, setting an NCAA record for most wins in a season by Division I football team. Sarkisian finished the season with a quarterback rating of 162.0, the third highest in the country.