In replacing departed defensive coordinator Kilani Sitake, Kyle Whittingham is hoping the fourth time's the charm.
John Pease has returned for his fourth stint on the Utah coaching staff to serve as the Utes' defensive coordinator and defensive line coach, the program announced Monday. Pease served as a graduate assistant in 1968-69, coached the Utes' linebackers for a one-year stint in 1977, and then served as defensive line coach in 2009-10. This marks the second time Pease has come out of retirement after previously stepping away from the game following the 2005 and 2010 seasons.
Pease inherits a unit that ranked 49th in yards per play allowed and 43rd in scoring defense but first in sacks and 10th in tackles for loss during a 9-4 2014 campaign.
To replace former offensive coordinator Dave Christensen, Whittingham has tabbed offensive line coach Jim Harding and quarterback coach Aaron Roderick as co-offensive coordinators. Harding will be the Utes' run game coordinator and Roderick will handle the passing game. Roderick has been on Whittingham's staff since his elevation to head coach in 2005, while Harding completed his first season in Salt Lake City in 2014.
Elsewhere on the staff, Justin Ena has been hired as linebackers coach, safeties coach/recruiting coordinator Morgan Scalley has added special teams coordinator duties, and running backs coach Dennis Erickson has been elevated to assistant head coach.