Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham to step down after 21 seasons

Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham is stepping down, the university announced. He has been the Utes’ head coach for 21 seasons and will coach in the Las Vegas Bowl.

Whittingham is Utah’s all-time winningest coach, amassing a 177-88 record during his time in Salt Lake City. The expectation is defensive coordinator Morgan Scalley will take over as head coach after serving as the coach-in-waiting, On3’s Pete Nakos reported.

The Las Vegas Bowl will mark Whittingham’s final game as Utah head coach as the Utes take on Nebraska. In a statement, he said the time was right to walk away after more than 30 years with the Utah program, starting out as defensive line coach in 1994.

“The time is right to step down from my position as the head football coach at the University of Utah,” Whittingham said. “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 played his college football at BYU before playing professionally from 1982-87. He served as a graduate assistant at his alma mater from 1985-86 before becoming Eastern Utah’s defensive coordinator in 1987.

In 1988, Whittingham joined the coaching staff at Idaho State and stayed with the program until 1994 when he arrived at Utah. After starting out as defensive line coach, he became the Utes’ defensive coordinator in 1995 and remained in that role until 2004. After Urban Meyer’s departure for Florida in 2005, Whittingham took over as head coach.

“The legacy that Kyle Whittingham leaves distinguishes him as one of the most impactful figures in the history of Utah Athletics,” said Utah AD Mark Harlan in a statement. “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.”