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Utah Utes will cap the era when they play Nebraska in the Las Vegas Bowl on Dec. 31.
This will be head coach Kyle Whittingham's final game as head coach after the 66-year-old announced Friday he would retire. Whittingham is the winningest trainer in program history, 117–88 in 22 seasons.
“It is time to step down as head football coach at the University of Utah,” Whittingham said in a statement Friday.
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Utah Utes head coach Kyle Whittingham stands on the sideline during the first half against the Baylor Bears at McLane Stadium in Waco, Texas on November 15, 2025. (Chris Jones/Imagn Images)
“It has been an honor and privilege to lead the program for the past 21 years, and I am very grateful for the relationships developed with all the players and assistant coaches who have worked so hard and carried the drum and pen with pride during our time here.”
Whittingham coached in the Fiesta Bowl with Utah in 2004 and became the full-time head coach the following season. Whittingham led Utah to a winning record in 18 of his 21 seasons.
Utah is 10-2 this season and at one point was ranked 13th in the AP poll, narrowly missing College football playoffs (CFB).
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Utah Utes head coach Kyle Whittingham reacts during the second half against the Kansas Jayhawks at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium in Lawrence, Kansas on November 28, 2025. (Jay Biggerstaff/Imagn Images)
Whittingham was named Western Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year in 1981 during his senior year.
Before becoming a coach, Whittingham played in the USFL and CFL from 1982 to 1984. He began his coaching career as a graduate assistant. and BYU.
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Whittingham joined the Utah staff in 1994 and rose through the ranks. He started out as a defensive line coach and then became a defensive coordinator before becoming the team's head coach.
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His final game on the sidelines would be the team cup. against Nebraska. Whittingham, who is 11-6 in bowl games as head coach, hopes to finish his tenure with a win on Dec. 31.
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