‘Put The Program First’ Will Be At The Core Of Kyle Whittingham’s Own Future
Nov 25, 2024, 1:41 PM | Updated: Nov 26, 2024, 10:05 am
SALT LAKE CITY—Kyle Whittingham and the Utes are at the end of a tumultuous 2024 campaign. An injury-riddled season has contributed significantly to Utah’s first seven-game losing streak since 1986.
With the difficulties this year has presented, he’s repeatedly stated that this has been the most frustrating season he’s experienced as a coach.
It was also only a few months ago, at Big 12 media days, he stated that he probably would not be the head coach when Utah takes on Miami in Las Vegas to open the 2027 season.
Needless to say, questions abound about Whittingham’s future.
Season finale in Orlando this week‼️
🆚 UCF
🏟️ FBC Mortgage Stadium
⏰ FRI 11.29 | 6:00PM MT
📺 FOX
📻 ESPN 700 AM / 92.1 FM#GoUtes pic.twitter.com/Hp4IMzzHOG— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) November 25, 2024
Putting ‘Utah Football’ First Will Be At The Core Of Kyle Whittingham’s Decision
“I will evaluate, obviously, after the season is over, but my decision will be made based on what’s best for the program, not what’s best for me,” Kyle Whittingham said when asked about potentially completing his 21st season with Utah next year. “It will be completely determined on how I feel this program is best served going forward.”
Whittingham has been Utah’s head coach for 20 seasons, leading the program to incredible heights. He has created a strong winning culture and strengthened Utah’s reputation over the years. What’s guided him for the last two decades will be what he values most in his own decision-making process.
“What is best for the program will dictate my decision,” Whittingham continued. “Just continue to emphasize ‘put the program first,’ and whatever puts the program in the best situation moving forward, that’s the decision I’ll make. It’s just an evaluation process for me and my family to decide what’s best.”
There has been speculation that this season’s lack of success would motivate Whittingham to return for another year. However, Whittingham acknowledged every coach wants a better season next year but that won’t be his determining factor.
“I’m not saying, well, this was a bad year, so for me, I gotta come back and have a better year,” he said. “To time it just right so you go out at just the right time; I mean, there is a very, very small percentage of people able to do that.”
Despite this season being Whittingham’s most frustrating experience, he still has the energy to keep going.
“As far as energy, I feel great, It’s not like I’m beat down,” he shared. “The season has been a beatdown mentally, but just day to day, I’ve got plenty of gas left in the tank.”
Morgan Scalley’s Head-Coach-In-Waiting Tag Is Key
With Whittingham’s future in question, Utah named defensive coordinator Morgan Scalley the “heir apparent.” That succession plan is significant for Utah Football’s future and means coach Scalley will play a more significant role in the program’s present situation.
“I can tell you that coach Scalley will be involved in decisions going forward,” Whittingham shared. “It’s only right that he does; we need to ensure that he’s had a big input on decisions. So, it’ll be a team effort in that respect as far as hiring and recruiting.”
The early signing period is a little over a week away when recruits will officially sign with the program. Utah has made the succession plan quite clear to its recruits over the last few months. That has helped ease some of the uncertainty surrounding Whittingham’s future.
“With the coach-in-waiting in place, we already have had that discussion with recruits,” Whittingham said. “It’s now like the recruits and our own guys don’t know what the succession plan is. They know exactly what the plan is and that was the real reason for laying down that plan several months ago.”
