Utah’s Wide Receivers Coach Became Younger Overnight

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Utah’s new wide receiver coach Chad Bumphis is drastically younger than his predecessor Guy Holliday which is a big deal for the program if it hopes to take the next step at that position.

The Youth Movement

Over the recent years, the football world has seen a shift in coaching ages highlighted by the 2017 hiring of Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay who was 30 at the time. The youngest head football coach in modern history.

In 2012, Kliff Kingsbury became the 15th head coach at Texas Tech at the youthful age of 33. 8 years later and he is now in charge of the Arizona Cardinals.

It's a great day to be a Ute!

We are thrilled to welcome @_CoachBump back to the Utah Football staff, this time as our Wide Receivers Coach.

Read: https://t.co/leUqYdbBiX pic.twitter.com/HcPscv0DM7

— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) March 8, 2021

Bumphis is 31, he retired as a player seven years ago after a dominating display at Mississippi State before bouncing around the NFL. He is aware of the challenges that this generation is facing, the struggles and mental strain that this generation deals with because he was in their shoes just a few years ago.

Today’s world is very different than the world older coaches grew up in. The world of social media has altered the way in which we operate. Everybody now has a voice.

There is a greater emphasis on mental health today. The importance of staying strong both physically and mentally is paramount to success. But this generation has exposed the need for greater emphasis on mental stability. Furthermore, weakness is no longer justified through mental struggles, rather, a person’s ability to open up about mental health indicates greater strength, if anything.

Without question, Bumphis will help the Utah wide receivers further develop their craft on the field. He has the ability to help turn the likes of Solomon Enis into a prolific pass catcher, but he also has the ability to connect with his players in a manner that an older individual may not be able to.

Hopefully, the wide receivers at Utah can create a transparent relationship with Bumphis that will help develop them as players and as men. To guide, mentor, and develop the current generation is a task in which Bumphis is more than capable of handling.

Yessirrrr!!! Happy birthday 21!! https://t.co/X5UZ6OeK0Q

— Chad Bumphis (@_CoachBump) March 11, 2021

It’s Utah’s World

On a recent episode of the It’s Utah’s World Podcast, Tom Hackett and Steve Bartle shared their thoughts and opinions on why Bumphis will likely provide the Utah Football program with more success than what just meets the eye.

Both Hackett and Bartle agreed that the hiring of Bumphis was a home run hit by head coach Kyle Whittingham.

To get the most out of a playing group, one must connect with said playing group in a manner that makes them want to fight for their leader.

To listen to the podcast, click here.