Utah Coach Kyle Whittingham is stepping down from his position, the school announced Friday. Whittingham, 66, has been Utah's coach since 2005 and has been with the program as a coach since 1994.
“The time has come to step down as head coach of the University of Utah,” Whittingham said in a statement. “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 worn the drum and pen with pride during our time here.”
“The opportunity to guide so many talented young men in achieving their goals – both on and off the field – has truly been a blessing. Thank you to the university, the Salt Lake City community, the entire state of Utah, and most of all, my wife and family for your unwavering support that has helped Utah football become what it is today.”
Whittingham, who began his Utah career 32 years ago as defensive line coach under Ron McBride, took over from Urban Meyer in 2005 after the Utes went 12-0 and won the 2005 Fiesta Bowl with a dominant performance over Pittsburgh. He went 177-88 over 21 seasons, overseeing Utah's transition from the Mountain West to the Power Five when it joined the Pac-12 in 2011 and back to the Big 12 in 2024.
While there have been some down seasons, Whittingham has led the Utes to eight double-digit winning campaigns, including four of the last seven seasons. The Athletic reports this. that Whittingham is not retiring from coaching and may seek other coaching opportunities.
“Utes” are preparing for the meeting Nebraska Dec. 31 in the Las Vegas Bowl, which will be Whittingham's final game coaching the program. Under Whittingham, Utah finished with a winning record in 18 of his 21 seasons as coach.
Sculley will replace Whittingham
CBS Sports reporter Matt Zenitz reported. that Whittingham told some Utah staffers that the program would name defensive coordinator Morgan Scully as the school's new coach. Scully, 46, has been with the Utah State program since 2007, when he began his coaching career as a graduate assistant.
Sculley has been the defensive coordinator/safeties coach at his alma mater since 2016. Last summer, Utah officially named Scully as its future head coach. Scully was a finalist for the 2019 Broyles Award, given annually to college football's top assistant coach, after Utah boasted the nation's best defense.
