Kyle Whittingham’s time as Utah head coach may not last much longer.
Utah announced in early July that defensive coordinator Morgan Scalley would officially become the team’s coach-in-waiting and replace Whittingham when the longtime Utes coach decided to retire. The announcement did not include a date for Whittingham’s departure, but the 64-year-old coach did give a hint as to when he might retire during Big 12 media day on Tuesday when he was asked about Las Vegas, the media day site, and mentioned Utah’s Week 1 opponent in 2027.
“It’s been a great opportunity to be able to play here as much as we have,” Whittingham said of Las Vegas. “We’re going to open up here (2027) against the Miami Hurricanes. I probably won’t be sitting here, but someone will be, and that will be a great opportunity again to come to Vegas and play a game.”
Whittingham is entering his 20th season as Utah’s head coach after replacing Urban Meyer following the 2004 season. The Utes have won at least 10 games in seven seasons during Whittingham’s tenure and went undefeated in 2008. Overall, Utah has a 162-79 record under Whittingham.
The Utes are also the favorites to win the Big 12 entering their first season in the conference. With the return of seventh-year quarterback Cam Rising along with a Scalley-led defense that should be one of the best in the conference, Utah figures to have a great chance of making the 12-team College Football Playoff. Especially if Rising stays healthy. He missed the 2023 season due to a knee injury he suffered in the Rose Bowl at the end of the 2022 season and Utah finished 8-5.
“He makes us better immediately,” Whittingham said. “And Cam has that ‘it’ factor. As much as he does for us in the game, it’s his leadership that’s probably the most valuable asset he brings to the football team. He’s one of those guys that’s able to make everyone around him better. And that’s really what a great player does, is make his supporting cast play better.”