As we noted previously, early December was circled as the time that the college football world would learn about Kyle Whittingham's decision on his future leading the Utah Utes program.
Today, that decision was announced.
Whittingham, a no-brainer selection for the College Football Hall of Fame and Utah's all-time leader in wins, has announced that he is stepping away after 21 seasons leading the program.
He will coach the team in the Las Vegas Bowl before stepping down.
Sources tell FootballScoop that Whittingham is not considering this a retirement and is open to other opportunities, coaching or otherwise.
He went 177-88 overall leading the Utes program. Longtime defensive coordinator Morgan Scalley, who has spent his entire coaching career dating back to 2007 with the Utes, was named head-coach-in-waiting and is expected to be formally announced as his replacement at a later date.
The former BYU linebacker was tabbed to replace Urban Meyer as head coach heading into the 2005 season after he had previously spent a decade on staff in various roles that began as the Utes defensive line coach in 1994 before taking on defensive coordinator duties from 1995-2004. While calling the defense he flipped between coaching the linebackers and the safeties over the years.
Since taking over, he has cemented Utah as a perennial top 25 program, hitting the double-digit win threshold eight times including a 10-2 mark this fall heading into their bowl game. Utah failed to reach a bowl game in just three seasons (not counting the 2020 COVID season) under Whittingham, a remarkable accomplishment.
Whittingham will lead the Utes one final time in their December 31st bowl matchup against Matt Rhule and Nerbaska.
See the announcement of Whit's decision below.
Stay tuned to The Scoop for the latest.
