Utah’s Rose Bowl Appearance A Result Of 31 Years Of Growth & Stability

SALT LAKE CITY – When Ron McBride took over as Utah’s head coach in 1990 the program was far from consistent. Nobody knew what the immediate future of Utah Football would look like, as exemplified in 1978 when the Utes put together an 8-3 season despite going just 3-8 a year earlier.

Unparalleled Organic Growth

31 years have now passed since Ron McBride took over the reins at Utah, since then Utah has endured a total of five losing seasons.

Kyle Whittingham, who took the job in 2005 has only endured two of the five.

The rise of Utah Football is reflective of the culture and stability that has been implemented by Ron McBride and sustained by the likes of Urban Meyer and Whittingham.

Utah would not be playing in the Rose Bowl without the foundation that Ron McBride built. #MAFU pic.twitter.com/60o3ZqwxoT

— Classic Utah Pictures (@PicsUtah) December 22, 2021

Running a successful football program is no easy feat, most businesses struggle to get their few employees on the same page, let alone 130 young adults juggling the stresses of school and football performance with a mind that is still very much developing.

The upcoming Rose Bowl appearance is a reward for 31 years of growth.

Win Or Lose…Doesn’t Matter

Win or lose, Utah Football has already won.

To endure the heartache of losing two family members within a nine-month span, to starting the 2021 college football season 1-2, to conclude the first ‘real’ season since COVID took a stranglehold on the world in a Rose Bowl contest against the Ohio State Buckeyes.

Words will never be able to truly exemplify the leadership, strength, and life-altering lessons that have taken place up on the hill over the past year and a half.

If you take anything away from the 2021 season it is that good leadership and guidance is priceless. The power of humanity when it can connect with one and another is gripping.

Win or lose, Utah Football has already won.

Merry Christmas.