Utah's Kyle Whittingham to Step Down After 21 Seasons as Head Coach
Kyle Whittingham, Utah's all-time winningest football coach, announces his departure after 21 seasons, concluding with the upcoming Las Vegas Bowl.
Utah football head coach Kyle Whittingham has announced he will step down after leading the Utes for 21 seasons. His final game will be the Las Vegas Bowl on December 31, where Utah will face Nebraska.
Whittingham, 66, has been with the program since 1994, initially serving as a defensive line coach before becoming head coach in 2004. He departs as the most successful coach in Utah's history, amassing a 177-88 record. Under his leadership, the Utes achieved 18 winning seasons, including eight with 10 or more victories. Notably, the 2008 team finished 13-0, culminating in a Sugar Bowl victory over Alabama. Whittingham was honored as National Coach of the Year in 2008 and 2019.
In a statement, Whittingham expressed gratitude for his tenure:
"The time is right to step down from my position as the head football coach at the University of Utah. 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 ... ."
Utah Athletic Director Mark Harlan praised Whittingham's impact:
"The legacy that Kyle Whittingham ... . As the head coach or as an ... ."
Defensive coordinator Morgan Scalley, who has been with the program since 2007 and served as defensive coordinator since 2016, is expected to succeed Whittingham as head coach.
Whittingham's final game will be against Nebraska in the Las Vegas Bowl on December 31.
Source
The Salt Lake TribuneFact-checking
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