Utah’s Kyle Whittingham has stepped down as the football program’s head coach. Who will be Whittingham’s successor?
Utah HC Kyle Whittingham Steps Down
𝑻𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒌 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝑪𝒐𝒂𝒄𝒉 𝑾𝒉𝒊𝒕𝒕 🤝#GoUtes pic.twitter.com/8zNqiESci3
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) December 12, 2025
Utah’s all-time winningest head coach is walking away.
Utah announced that Whittingham will step down after the Utes’ play in the Las Vegas Bowl on December 31.
“The time is right to step down from my position as the head football coach at the University of Utah,” Whittingham said in a statement. “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 joined Utah’s coaching staff as a defensive line coach in 1994. At the end of 2004, Whittingham was promoted to head coach after Urban Meyer accepted the job at Florida.
Later that month, Utah completed a perfect season, winning the Fiesta Bowl over the Pittsburgh Panthers.
Whittingham coached the Utes for the next 21 seasons, posting a record of 177-88 (.668), ranking third among active coaches for wins. Whittingham’s teams had winning records in 18 of his 21 seasons. Eight times, Utah won 10 or more games in a season under Whittingham.
In 2008, Utah went 13-0, culminating with a win over Alabama in the Sugar Bowl.
The Utes went to two consecutive Rose Bowls in 2021 and 2022 by winning the Pac-12 conference. Utah went 0-2 in the Rose Bowl game under Whittingham.
Whittingham’s 11 bowl wins are the fourth most among active coaches through 2023.
The 66-year-old garnered three national Coach of the Year awards.
Who Will Coach Utah in 2026?
One of the 𝒃𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒂𝒏𝒚𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 to do it🏆
Just a few of the numbers behind Kyle Whittingham’s legendary career. #GoUtes pic.twitter.com/5qRoGVAgmR
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) December 12, 2025
Whittingham will coach the Utes one last time before he steps away.
Utah (10-2) will face Nebraska (7-5) in the Las Vegas Bowl on Dec. 31 at 3:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.
After the bowl game, who will become the Utes’ head coach?
Defensive coordinator Morgan Scalley is expected to take over for Whittingham. Utah Director of Athletics Mark Harlan named Scalley the head coach-in-waiting in July 2024.
Scalley joined Whittingham’s staff in 2008 and has served as the defensive coordinator for the last 10 seasons.
