Utah Announce Permanent Head Coach To Replace Kyle Whittingham

After 21 years in Salt Lake City, University of Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham is officially walking away from the program he helped build into a perennial contender in the Big 12, Pac-12 and Mountain West.

On Friday, Whittingham announced Dec. 31’s game in the Las Vegas Bowl will be his last with the Utes — putting an end to one of the longest tenures in college football.

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Whittingham’s 177 wins ranks third amongst active FBS coaches and has led to three conference titles, two Rose Bowl appearances and a pair of top-five finishes in the AP poll — along with two national Coach of the Year awards.

Now as the school prepares to turn the page on the Kyle Whittingham era, the university has already named the 66-year-old’s successor.

Whittingham: ‘The time is right’

In a statement announcing the move on Friday, Whittingham shared that he would no longer be the coach for the Utes past this season.

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“The time is right to step down from my position as the head football coach at the University of Utah,” Whittingham said. “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.”

But even though Utah’s longtime HC is walking out the door, a familiar face will remain on the program’s sideline moving forward.

Utah announces DC Morgan Scalley as full-time head coach

“Morgan Scalley has proven over the course of his outstanding coaching and playing career at the University of Utah that he is uniquely equipped to take over as the program’s next leader,” said Utah athletic director Mark Harlan (via ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg). “He not only has great knowledge and perspective of what makes Utah football special, but his passion and love for the University of Utah position him to carry the mantle of leadership forward and continue the program’s legacy of success.”

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“As we honor a legendary chapter in Utah Football, we are looking ahead with great optimism to what comes next,” University of Utah president Taylor Randall added. “I have complete confidence in Morgan Scalley’s leadership as the next head coach of Utah Football. Morgan is the future of this program.”

“As an alum, a former All-America player, and a coach who has been instrumental in shaping our culture of development, toughness, and student-athlete success, he embodies everything that makes Utah Football exceptional.”

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Utah’s defense currently ranks No. 5 in the nation in passing efficiency defense, 15th in interceptions (14) and 16th in scoring defense. It’s also scored three touchdowns in 2025, good 10th in the FBS.

In his time as an assistant, Scalley has coached 14 All-Americans, 21 first-team All-Conference selections and five Freshman AA’s.

This story was originally published by The Spun on Dec 14, 2025, where it first appeared in the College Football section. Add The Spun as a Preferred Source by clicking here.