The successful and two-decade long tenure of Kyle Whittingham at Utah is over. The longtime Utes head coach announced he will be stepping down from his position after his team’s Las Vegas Bowl matchup with Nebraska on Dec. 31.
Whittingham has been at the helm in Salt Lake City since the end of the 2004 season when he succeeded Urban Meyer. He has been part of the Utah staff in some capacity since 1994.
“The time is right to step down from my position as the head football coach at the University of Utah,” Whittingham said in a statement released by the program. “It’s been an honor and a privilege to lead the program for the past 21 years and I’m very grateful for the relationships forged with all the players and assistant coaches that have worked so hard and proudly worn the drum and feather during our time here. The opportunity to guide so many talented young men as they pursued their goals—both on and off the field—has truly been a blessing.
“Thank you to the University, the Salt Lake community, all of Ute Nation and most of all my wife and family for your unwavering support that has helped make Utah Football what it is today.”
Whittingham, 66, guided the Utes to a new level over the last two decades. In that time Whittingham has collected 177 victories putting him third among current head coaches across the country.
The Utes won 262 games during his entire time on staff. His 177 wins as a head coach are 36 more than Ike Armstrong who held the previous wins record at Utah.
Whittingham Leaves Indelible Mark on Utah Football
Since taking over as head coach in Salt Lake City, Utah has reached some of its biggest victories in program history under Whittingham. He guided the Utes to an undefeated season in 2008 that ended with a Sugar Bowl win over Alabama.
The Utes also reached the Rose Bowl in back-to-back seasons in 2021 and 2022. Utah won the Mountain West title in 2008 and the Pac-12 title in 2021 and 2022. Whittingham was named conference coach of the year three times in his career at Utah. He earned the Mountain West Coach of the Year award in 2008 while earning Pac-12 Coach of the Year in 2019 and 2022.
“The legacy that Kyle Whittingham leaves distinguishes him as one of the most impactful figures in the history of Utah Athletics,” Utah athletic director Mark Harlan said. “As the head coach or as an assistant, Coach Whitt played a pivotal role in the most historic and successful seasons in program history, and established championship expectations.
“Perhaps more importantly, he established a legacy of tremendous character, integrity and class. Kyle Whittingham will forever be appreciated and cherished for his leadership and achievements with Utah Football.”
Whittingham guided 35 players to All-American status during his time with the program. The Utes had 31 players selected in the NFL draft from 2017-25. That is the most among current Big 12 teams in that span.
DC Morgan Scalley Expected to Take Over
Utah is expected to name defensive coordinator Morgan Scalley as the successor to Whittingham. The program announced in 2024 that Scalley would be the head coach in waiting whenever Whittingham decided to end his time with the Utes. The Utes’ defensive coordinator has held that position for 10 years in Salt Lake City.
Scalley has been with the program since 2008.
The transition will come at an intriguing time for both the Utes and college football. Utah just this week announced the formation of Utah Brands & Entertainment, a for-profit venture that will partner the school with a private equity firm.
Whittingham already guided the Utes through one round of conference realignment and the emergence of the NIL and revenue sharing eras in college football.
Utah finished the regular season with a 10-2 record including wins over ranked Arizona State and Cincinnati. It marks the eighth season under Whittingham in which the Utes won 10 games.
