Month: December 2025

Dec. 29, 2025, 11:00 p.m. ET

Utah football’s 2025 season was bookended by major decisions by Kyle Whittingham.

Whittingham’s choice to return for his 21st season was the initial domino that set the year in the motion, and his announcement that he was stepping down at the end of the 2025 season signaled the end of an era at Utah.

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In between those two big moments, the Utes compiled 10 regular-season wins for the first time since 2019 and reignited an offense that struggled in 2024. In the end, Utah came up just short of a Big 12 championship game appearance by losing its two biggest games on the schedule — to Texas Tech and BYU.

Here’s a look at the 10 moments that defined Utah’s 2025 season.

Kyle Whittingham returns for 21st season

After retirement rumors swirled leading up to Utah’s season finale at UCF in 2024, Whittingham announced his return for his 21st — and what would end up being his final — season at Utah.

After a 5-7 campaign filled with its share of adversity in 2024, Whittingham ultimately decided that he could not end his Utah career on that note and vowed to “right the ship” in 2025.

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“I couldn’t stomach going out on that, with that season, as frustrating as it was, and as discouraging as it was,” Whittingham said at Big 12 media days this July.

“It just didn’t sit well with anybody, but most of all me and so I thought, ‘Hey, that’s not going to be the final act of my deal. I got to come back and try to get the ship right and get back on track.”

Shortly after announcing his return, Whittingham went to work to try and correct Utah’s offense, starting with hiring a new offensive coordinator.

Jason Beck, Devon Dampier and more revamp Utah’s offense

After scoring just 23.6 points per game (No. 102 in the nation) and totaling just 329.8 yards per game on offense (No. 115 in the nation) with a backup-quarterback-led offense for the majority of the season, Whittingham knew Utah’s offense needed a major revamp.

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Longtime offensive coordinator Andy Ludwig resigned midseason in 2024, giving Utah the opportunity to bring in a new voice.

After a search, Whittingham settled on Jason Beck, who had transformed New Mexico’s offense into one that scored 33.5 points per game and ranked No. 4 nationally in total offense with 484.2 yards per game in 2024.

Beck’s RPO-heavy scheme is easier for players to pick up than Ludwig’s pro-style scheme — a factor Whittingham weighed when selecting Beck.

Beck brought along quarterback Devon Dampier, who threw for 2,768 yards and rushed for 1,166 in 2024, and receiver Ryan Davis, who had 747 yards on 54 receptions.

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The three former Lobos would be the foundation for an offensive revival in Salt Lake City.

Those moves paid off for the Utes, who completed a stunning offensive turnaround, going from one of the worst offenses in the nation to one of the best.

Utah scored 40.9 points per game (No. 5 in the nation) and rushed for 269.8 yards per game (No. 2 in the nation).

Dampier, Davis, Byrd Ficklin and Wayshawn Parker, along with Utah’s offensive line, all played a part in making the Utes’ offense something fans could enjoy watching again.

New-look offense dazzles in season-opening win at UCLA

Utah quickly answered questions about how Beck’s offense would fare at Utah and if Dampier would excel at the Power Four Level in a 43-10 win at UCLA.

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Preseason, Dampier declared, “this is another year, where Utah is going to be able to score the ball as well.”

Boy, did they.

Dampier threw for 206 yards and two touchdowns on 84% accuracy and rushed for 87 yards and a score, while the Utes’ heralded offensive line powered Utah to 286 rushing yards.

Utah’s uptempo offense was a breath of fresh air, but the Utes proved they could be successful when slowing the ball down, too, as evidenced by a 20-play, 80-yard drive that took nearly 10 minutes off the clock.

It was the first proof of concept that Beck’s offense would work at Utah.

“The flow of the game, the calls had them off balance,” Whittingham said. “I thought the run-pass ratio was outstanding, the RPO facet that he brought and implemented. He’s just a masterful play caller, at least he has been and he was tonight.”

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Utah’s defense held the Bruins to only 220 yards of offense and rattled UCLA quarterback Nico Iamaleava all night.

Utah’s 2025 debut couldn’t have gone much better.

Utes fail first big test of the year

After starting the season 3-0 with wins over UCLA, Cal Poly and Wyoming, No. 16 Utah faced its first test of the season against No. 17 Texas Tech.

It was also the first challenge for the Red Raiders, who had revamped their offensive and defensive lines with a big NIL push from oil billionaire Cody Campbell.

The investment in the trenches paid off as Texas Tech defeated Utah 34-10 at Rice-Eccles Stadium.

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Utah’s potent ground game was held to just 101 yards and Dampier, nursing an ankle injury, was largely ineffective, throwing two interceptions.

Texas Tech backup quarterback Will Hammond, inserted into the game after Behren Morton was ruled out, threw for 169 yards and two touchdowns. Texas Tech rushed for 311 yards, dominating the Utes along the line of scrimmage.

“For us to lose the line of scrimmage, it doesn’t happen very often, but it certainly happened today,” Whittingham said.

The loss to the Red Raiders — and later, BYU — would be the reason the 10-2 Utes wouldn’t make it to the Big 12 championship game.

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A third-straight rivalry loss

After reeling off two consecutive blowout wins, including a 42-10 win over a Sam Leavitt-less ASU team, Utah made the short drive down to Provo for one of the highest-stakes rivalry games yet.

As it would turn out, it was essentially a play-in game for the Big 12 championship.

BYU quarterback Bear Bachmeier threw for 166 yards and a score and rushed for 64 yards and a touchdown, which was the dagger, and LJ Martin rushed for 122 yards as the Cougars won 24-21.

The Utes lost the turnover battle 2-0, including a muffed punt that was especially costly.

All the talk among Utah fans after the game was about three failed fourth-down conversions. The Utes went for it on fourth-and-1 from the BYU 12-yard line in the first quarter, fourth-and-7 from the BYU 28-yard line in the second quarter, and fourth-and-3 from the BYU 8-yard line in the third quarter, coming up short each time.

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Whittingham defended each of those decisions, citing analytics.

“First of all, if you think you’re smarter than analytics, you’re not. Anybody out there, if you think you got a better grasp of the game and strategy than the analytics do, you don’t,” Whittingham said.

While there were certainly many factors in Utah’s loss, the fourth-down decisions were the most hotly debated after the game.

Utah’s third-straight loss to rival BYU ended up shutting the Utes out of the Big 12 championship game, making the defeat sting even more.

The emergence of Byrd Ficklin

As Utah learned in the 2023 and 2024 seasons, backup quarterbacks are anything but a sure thing in college football.

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Isaac Wilson was named the team’s backup quarterback ahead of the season, but freshman Byrd Ficklin rose to become Utah’s QB2 in-season.

After getting extended run in Utah blowout victories, Ficklin’s first chance to start came against Colorado, when he filled in for an ailing Dampier.

In the Utes’ 53-7 win over the Buffaloes, Ficklin threw for 140 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for 151 yards and a score, providing Ute fans a taste of the future.

He was integral to two other Utah wins, rushing for touchdowns of 67 and 74 yards against Baylor and finding the end zone three times in Utah’s comeback win vs. Kansas State.

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“His composure and he’s just unflappable. Nothing bothers him and he is an intelligent young man, extremely intelligent. He’s got pretty much the whole offense at his disposal and that’s saying a lot for a true freshman,” Whittingham said in late October.

“He’s so athletic, that’s another thing. It’s something that makes him so difficult to defend. So much upside as a quarterback. He’s fast, he’s quick, he can make people miss, he’s tough. He can take hits and he’s got a really good arm.”

Ficklin re-signed with the Utes in December, and with Dampier set to come back as well, Utah’s quarterback situation is in a good place entering the Scalley era.

John Henry Daley’s breakout season

After transferring from BYU to Utah ahead of the 2024 season, Daley had to bide his time, but when he earned his chance to be a starter in 2025, he made the most of it.

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Daley registered 11.5 sacks over 11 games — leading the nation in sacks per game — before suffering a season-ending injury.

In all, Daley had 48 tackles, 11.5 sacks, 17.5 tackles for loss and two forced fumbles in a phenomenal redshirt sophomore season. He was named a first-team All-American by Walter Camp and appeared on the All-Big 12 first team.

Daley’s breakout season helped the Utes’ defense finish tied for No. 17 in points allowed per game and brought back the “Sack Lake City” moniker.

“How haven’t we seen him improve? He’s improved in every aspect of his game. He’s stronger. He’s a technician. I mean, he’s worked on his fundamentals and his techniques extremely hard,” Whittingham said in September. “He’s got really good pass-rush skills as evidenced by, I think he’s still leading the nation in sacks. He’s a guy that has really, really polished up his game over the last year and really made himself into an exceptional player.”

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A comeback for the ages against Kansas State

No one could have possibly predicted how Utah’s 51-47 win over Kansas State played out.

The Utes entered the game allowing 143.2 rushing yards per game — middle of the pack in the Big 12, but still respectable.

Kansas State rushed for 472 yards in one of the most unbelievable performances against a Scalley-coached defense. Utah simply had no answers for the Wildcats, who rushed for five touchdowns and had seven runs of 30-plus yards.

“It was a power run game, just a basic power play and it was an ‘A gap’ power play where they started strong side and cut it back and we continually didn’t defend it the right way,” Whittingham said.

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When Joe Jackson scored his third rushing touchdown of the night to put Kansas State up 12 with seven minutes left, it looked like the Utes were going to be dealt their third loss of the season.

Instead, Utah pulled off one of the most improbable comebacks in school history.

It all started with a Tao Johnson interception return for a touchdown on the Wildcats’ two-point conversion, cutting the deficit to 10 points.

Dampier found Larry Simmons for a 20-yard touchdown on the ensuing Utah drive to bring the Utes within three points, then Utah’s defense got off the field early with a three-and-out to give Dampier the ball back with a chance to win.

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Facing fourth and 1 on that drive, Dampier kept the ball himself and ran 59 yards to get the Utes into the red zone. Dampier ran the ball in for the touchdown to give Utah the lead and cap off a comeback for the ages.

“That last score, it was surreal,” Whittingham said. “It was just a moment that, like I said, you can’t even dream it up.”

Spencer Fano wins Outland Trophy

Entering the season, Whittingham was not short on praise for his offensive line.

“I can say with confidence, we should be the best offensive line since I’ve been at the University of Utah, which has been forever,” Whittingham said at this year’s Big 12 media days.

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Anchored by tackles Spencer Fano and Caleb Lomu, both of whom declared for the 206 NFL draft, and bolstered by seniors Jaren Kump, Tanoa Togiai and Michael Mokofisi, Utah’s offensive line lived up to the hype.

Dampier was sacked just eight times all season and the veteran offensive line powered the Utes to 3,237 rushing yards, just 27 yards short of breaking the school rushing record of 3,263, set in 1984. Since bowl games count toward school records, Utah will set the new school record for rushing yards in a season in the Las Vegas Bowl vs. Nebraska.

Dampier, Parker, Ficklin, NaQuari Rogers and Daniel Bray were all helped by Utah’s dominant offensive line. The standout player from the O-line was Fano, who allowed only five pressures and zero sacks.

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Fano became Utah’s first-ever unanimous offensive first-team All-American and he became the first Ute to win the Outland Trophy, awarded to the nation’s top interior lineman.

Fano is expected to be a high selection in next year’s NFL draft, and his play all season helped the Utes’ offense complete a major turnaround.

Kyle Whittingham steps down, takes Michigan job

Certainly the biggest moment in a season full of them was the news that Whittingham was stepping down as Utah’s coach after a 21-year run at the helm of the team.

After over two decades of Whittingham leading the Utes, it will be Morgan Scalley at the helm when the Utes take on Nebraska in the Las Vegas Bowl.

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Whittingham built the Utes from a Mountain West program into one that won two Pac-12 titles. Even in his final season at Utah, the 66-year-old guided the Utes to a 10-win regular season — something that last happened in 2019.

Even as he was still turning in winning seasons, he felt now was the time to step down.

“Well, the program’s in a good place right now,” he said. “As I’ve said many times after last season, it just didn’t sit right with anybody, particularly me, and so came back and fortunately we were able to get the ship righted and everything’s on track.

“Program, like I said, is in a good spot. Got good coaches, coach (Morgan) Scalley will come in and do a great job, got good players, so now is the time.”

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Almost immediately after Whittingham stepped down, reports surfaced that the longtime Utah coach could pursue other coaching opportunities.

Whittingham, who still had a desire to coach, kept his options open.

Asked on Dec. 18 what the process of deciding whether to pursue other opportunities or move into his special assistant role at Utah looked like, Whittingham replied, “If my phone rings, I answer it, I like who’s calling? Then we’ll see. Yeah, that’s pretty much the process.”

Michigan called, Whittingham answered, and two weeks after stepping down, Whittingham was named the new head coach at Michigan, saying he still had “a lot left in the tank.”

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“After 21 years at Utah, I stepped down a couple weeks ago,” he said. “Wasn’t sure if I was finished (coaching) or not. I knew there was a lot left in the tank. You could count on one hand the number of schools that I would be receptive to. Michigan was one of those schools. Definitely a top-5 job in the country, without a doubt. When the ball started rolling and the more I learned about Michigan, the more excited I got. I am elated to be here.”

Judge Dianna Gibson has ruled partially in favor of the Utah legislature’s most recent request in the redistricting case, certifying its Aug. 25 ruling as final in order to allow the state body to appeal to the state Supreme Court. However, she strongly denied the lawmakers’ request to enter a final judgment and end the case, saying, “This case is far from over.”

Data Skrive

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Nebraska sophomore wide receiver Jacory Barney Jr., looks at the Huskers’ bowl game as an opportunity to pull an upset but also to set the table for 2026.

Barney knows 15th-ranked Utah will be a difficult opponent Wednesday in Las Vegas, but it’s also another chance to end a 29-game losing streak to teams who were ranked at the time of the meeting.

And he says he knows the way to beat the Utes.

When a team is an underdog, special teams can be a springboard to success. Utah (10-2) has a powerful running game — ranked second in the nation — and an elite quarterback in Devon Dampier, so special teams perhaps can balance the ledger.

Nebraska (7-5) had elite special teams throughout the season. The Huskers ranked 16th nationally in punt returns with 13.64 return yards per game. Utah’s punt return defense ranks 26th.

Nebraska ranked sixth nationally in kickoff returns with an average of 26.30 yards per return. The Huskers had one kickoff return for a touchdown, Kenneth Williams’ 95-yard burst against Northwestern. Utah’s kickoff return defense ranks 64th.

“I feel like special teams can be a big factor in this game,” Barney, a 6-foot, 170-pounder from Florida City, Fla., said at a Las Vegas Bowl press conference.

“Just because like the last game of the season, some people may not be locked all the way in. Those key moments can be a big turnaround in a game.

“When it comes to the beginning of games, you see the first and last games, those be about minimizing mistakes, capitalizing where you can.”

Barney enjoyed success as a punt returner, earning Big Ten acclaim. He was reliable and dangerous fielding punts. Through the regular season, he ranked 15th in the nation in punt returns at 12.2 yards per return. He totaled 270 yards in punt returns, the most since 2014 by a Husker. The 270 yards exceeds the total punt return yards for the last four Nebraska seasons combined.

Ready to go

Barney says the Huskers are motivated for the New Year’s Eve game.

“Really showing, really going out there,” Barney said. “We’re a Big Ten team and just let them know how we play in the Big Ten — physical, hard-nosed. That’s how we expect to play [on] the 31st.

“We expected different this season. We got a last shot with my guys to prove ourselves and to build up for next year. We beat a ranked opponent and it set us up good for next year.”

Barney is looking to atone for his fumbled punt that resulted in a safety early in the second half of the 40-16 loss to Iowa in the season finale.

“Just having Coach Eck [special teams coordinator Mike Ekeler] and those guys believe in me,” Barney said. “I made the mistake in the Iowa game and they put me right back out there. 

“Just having a brotherhood like that, coaches that believe in you, I’m proud to be out there and take advantage of every opportunity I get.”

Catching passes

As a receiver, Barney had 43 catches for 463 yards and four touchdowns. He was tied for second on the Huskers for receptions with Nyziah Hunter, behind Emmett Johnson’s 46 catches.

Barney set a Nebraska freshman record for receptions last season with 55.

Barney has seen true freshman quarterback TJ Lateef at bowl prep, and as Huskers coach Matt Rhule said Saturday, Lateef is practicing at full go and is “going to play great.”

“Just his confidence, the confidence he has now,” Barney said about Lateef. “He played in a couple of games and he can [benefit from] that going into next year. We’re proud of him and I expect big things from him next year.”

Barney said he has a plan for improvement for the 2026 season. 

“Just get back in the lab and working my hardest just that next year there can be no excuse into why my stats wasn’t what they should be,” Barney said. “I can’t blame, point the finger, at nobody. I just get in the lab and just make it go my way next year by the work I put in this offseason.”

And about Utah?

“I think they’re a good group,” Barney said. “I feel like it will be a good game for us. How I see it as another chance to beat a ranked opponent.

“If we do that, the fans will feel good about it going into next year. We can build off it, that will give us some confidence going into next year. Having TJ, get that win like that, I feel that will be good for us.”

Barney said he has enjoyed his time in Las Vegas … with limitations.

His favorite part of Vegas? “Just the city, being in Las Vegas,” Barney said. “It’s always been a dream place to come to.

“Just to be here with my guys, getting invited to this bowl game. It means a lot. Year Two, make it to another bowl game. To build off this going into next year.

“I’m underage so I can’t really do much.”

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ORLANDO, Fla. — Former University of Utah football coach Kyle Whittingham warned reporters that he didn’t like to talk a lot and was working on only four hours of sleep when he stepped to the microphone Sunday morning upon being introduced as the 22nd coach in Michigan football history.

“I am one of those rare college football coaches that doesn’t like to hear himself talk,” Whittingham said.

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But the 66-year-old coach who directed Utah’s program for 21 years and was at the school in Salt Lake City for more than 30 years won the news conference anyway — especially when he was finally coerced into saying that he dislikes Ohio State.

“I do now,” he said, after having talked about his friendship with former Utah, Florida and Buckeyes coach Urban Meyer. “I am on the right side now.”

That drew a lot of laughter, as did the time when he suggested that Meyer was a “four-letter word” in Ann Arbor.

In another bit of breaking news, Whittingham even called Utah rival BYU by its name and said he played for the Cougars in the 1985 Florida Citrus Bowl here in Orlando, a 10-7 loss for the Cougars to Ohio State, of all teams.

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Before anyone could ask, he outlined the reasons why he would step down at Utah after 21 seasons — 17 of them winning seasons — despite still wanting to coach.

“After 21 years at Utah, I stepped down a couple weeks ago,” he said. “Wasn’t sure if I was finished (coaching) or not. I knew there was a lot left in the tank. You could count on one hand the number of schools that I would be receptive to. Michigan was one of those schools. Definitely a top-5 job in the country, without a doubt. When the ball started rolling and the more I learned about Michigan, the more excited I got. I am elated to be here.”

Whittingham flew into Orlando Saturday night and met with the entire team, which is preparing to meet Texas in the Citrus Bowl at Camping World Stadium on Wednesday. He told the Deseret News that he followed the BYU-Georgia Tech game online on the airplane ride from Salt Lake City, and noted that it was “a good win for the Cougars” over the Yellow Jackets.

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Of course, BYU and Utah fans want to know which players and coaches from those staffs will join Whittingham in Ann Arbor. News surfaced Saturday and Sunday that BYU defensive coordinator Jay Hill has been targeted and will almost certainly leave Provo for the maize and blue of Michigan.

Utah offensive coordinator Jason Beck is also a possibility to make the jump, as he had a highly successful first season in SLC coaching the likes of Devon Dampier and Byrd Ficklin.

“Putting together an outstanding staff. Can’t give you any names right now,” Whittingham said. “There are guys that are still working bowl games and playoffs and so forth and so that will be forthcoming.”

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Asked specifically in a media scrum after his remarks from the podium about whether he will reach out to a lot of BYU and Utah coaches to build his staff — which he said will be comprised of seven or eight newcomers and two or three holdovers — Whittingham said it is “to be determined” and was still days away from being finalized.

“I am working through that, but I have a plan. That’s all I can say, is a plan is in place. And we will see,” he said. “It should come to fruition in the next week or so. That’s the best answer I can give you to that.”

What about players at BYU and Utah? Will Whittingham attempt to get the cream of the crop of the Wasatch Front schools to the Big Ten?

“I know you don’t tamper with anybody. That’s not my style. If a player that we have interest in enters the portal, that is a whole different ball game,” he said. “Because now he’s in the portal, he is going somewhere.

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So why not Michigan, if it is a good fit?”

More highlights from Whittingham’s introductory press conference:

‘An enjoyable ride in Salt Lake City’

Responding to a Deseret News question about whether he was treated fairly by Utah as his tenure as the winningest coach in school history was winding down, Whittingham said he “absolutely” was.

“The administration of the university for my entire time there treated me well. Again, it was my decision to step down and I just felt like the time was right,” he said. “I have seen too many coaches hang on too long … In fact, I contemplated stepping down before last season. But we had such a frustrating season. We brought in a fifth quarterback in the middle of year (and went 5-7). I could not end on that note. So I came back and righted the ship, so to speak, and we got back on track.

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“But to answer your question, the university treated me nothing but good in my time there. The community, too. … It was just an enjoyable ride in Salt Lake City.”

Of note, Whittingham acknowledged making a mistake at Utah when he was asked how much more he has in the tank.

“Well, I signed a five-year contract. What I made (as) a mistake at Utah is when they started asking me about retirement, and I started answering questions and giving my own thing,” he said. “I am not that old. I am 66. It is not that old. I feel like I got enough energy and juice to see this through.”

Whittinghams are going from red to deep, rich blue

Accompanied by his wife, Jamie, at the news conference at the Hyatt Regency in Orlando, Whittingham said he has 11 grandchildren who are all starting to get their Michigan gear in place. He said his grandsons have changed their favorite team from Utah to Michigan on their college football video games.

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“What was appealing (about Michigan) was the obvious. It is Michigan, and all that entails — the tradition, the Big House,” he said. “It is one of the most storied programs in college football. So that was a no brainer.”

The coach said he will still follow the Utes from afar and that the program is very much on solid ground. New coach Morgan Scalley will coach the Utes in the Las Vegas Bowl against Nebraska on Wednesday, the same day Whittingham will be in the press box at Camping World Stadium watching the Wolverines face former BYU quarterback Steve Sarkisian’s Texas Longhorns.

“We went 10-2 this year. This (Utah) program that is in a great place right now. Excellent players, excellent coaching staff. I was able to hand the torch to my defensive coordinator, Morgan Scalley, who is an outstanding football coach,” Whittingham said. “I just felt the time was right to exit Utah, but like I said, I still have a lot of energy, and hey, if the right opportunity came I would be all in on that.”

Former players reach out to Whittingham

Whittingham said that since he announced he was stepping down at Utah, he’s received more than a thousand text messages from former Utah players and coaches. He has also heard from former Michigan players and coaches since accepting the job there.

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Former Heisman Trophy winner Desmond Howard texted him, for instance.

“I wish Tom Brady would, but he is a busy guy, I guess,” Whittingham quipped. “But yeah, I have heard from a handful of former Michigan players and coaches. They are excited.”

Whittingham acknowledged being “surprised” when Michigan called, and said it was a “no-brainer” to listen to athletic director Warde Manuel’s sales pitch.

At about the same time Michigan was firing coach Sherrone Moore for an inappropriate relationship with a university staff member, Whittingham was announcing he was stepping down. At that time, the Wolverines weren’t even remotely on his radar, he said.

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“It was very, very uncanny circumstances,” he said.

What would he be doing if Michigan hadn’t called?

“Skiing, reading books to my granddaughters, riding motorcycles,” he said. “I do a lot of stuff.”

And now he will be doing them on one of the biggest stages in college football, where winning remains the No. 1 priority, he concluded.

ORLANDO, FL − Football coaches are notoriously tough to crack.

They often speak in generalities at press conferences, where clichés can be a friend.

It’s all about the team. Focused on what we can control. Keep the main thing the main thing. Excited for the opportunity.

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But every now and then, there’s a needed reminder that these coaches are people, too. Wink Martindale, Michigan football’s elder statesman on the coaching staff and the defensive coordinator for the past two years, is objectively one of the toughest and most well-traveled people in the room. An NFL vet with two decades of experience at the highest level, there’s little in this game he hasn’t seen or been a part of.

The past three weeks, however, would qualify as the rare something new.

Former Michigan football coach Sherrone Moore was fired for an inappropriate relationship with a staffer and later jailed. In the blink of an eye, U-M had to try and turn the page to the next chapter.

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Earlier this week, U-M hired Utah’s Kyle Whittingham to be the 22nd head coach in program history. Fans are understandably excited for the future, but Martindale offered a reminder about the sobering toll this entire saga has taken on those inside the program, whose days may be numbered in Ann Arbor.

‘DON’T WANT TO BREAK APART’: How Michigan football avoided mass exodus ahead of Citrus Bowl

“I don’t know if ‘handled it’ is the right word – it’s a tough situation,” Martindale said, starting to tear up. “I know what we signed up for in coaching … but it’s hard because of not only the relationships you have.

“I was just talking to [linebacker Jimmy Rolder] about it: with Twitter and everything else, it’s entertaining for people to see all this. I’m getting emotional talking about it, it’s real life. There’s little ones that have to be up-rooted from school and things like that. It sucks.”

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Whittingham was introduced to the team on Saturday, Dec. 27 and just 90 minutes after Martindale finished speaking as one of four current program members previewing U-M’s Citrus Bowl matchup against Texas on Wednesday, Dec. 31 (3:00 p.m., ABC), the new coach was in a hotel ballroom across the street being introduced.

The dichotomy was stark. The optimism, the vision, the rejuvenated vibes, it was all so different from what those who have spent the last month in Schembechler Hall experiencing.

Running back Jordan Marshall also met with media alongside interim offensive coordinator Steve Casula to discuss how the team has responded. Marshall said “it sucks” having to rebound after losing the team’s leader. He was also asked about how he viewed his future with the program and the opening message his new coach shared.

“Good energy, did what a coach is supposed to say, said the right things and brings the intensity for sure – really like that about him,” Marshall said. “Somebody that when I talk to the guys they’re like ‘this guy seems like he’s gonna be good’ but it’s supposed to be like that after the first impression. For me, I’m going to keep getting to know him, keep getting to know his staff.

“I want to be at Michigan. If everything works out, I want to be here. I love this place, truly.”

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Casula said he’s tried to lead by example, but he’s well aware there will be changes to both the roster and the coaching staff in the coming days and weeks.

Former offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey has already left for Missouri and Whittingham appears close to adding his first defensive member to the staff in BYU defensive coordinator Jay Hill.

Despite what seems to be coming down the track, Casula said Martindale have reminded everybody on staff they’re “professionals” and there remains an expectation that U-M is going to go win this game. It’s why everybody is doing their best to put the “human element” to the side and rally together as a group for one last ride.

“I’ve tried on a personal level to practice what I preach,” Casula said. “There’s unknown, all that, sure, all that kind of stuff. But if you get a chance to really know our young people, our players, it’s not difficult to be motivated to go do your best for them.”

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Tony Garcia is the Wolverines beat writer for the Detroit Free Press. Email him at apgarcia@freepress.com and follow him on X at @RealTonyGarcia.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan football coaches, players on program turmoil: ‘It sucks’

Welcome back to Earth, San Antonio Spurs.

Lauri Markkanen scored 29 points and Keyonte George had 28 as the Utah Jazz cooled the Spurs 127-114 on Saturday at the Frost Bank Center.

The loss snapped an eight-game regular-season winning streak for the Spurs, who were coming off consecutive victories against the defending NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder.

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“A guy who used to coach here used to say the basketball gods,” said Spurs coach Mitch Johnson, referring to his predecessor, Gregg Popovich. “We didn’t obey them tonight.”

It was a letdown one could see coming from two counties over, even with the now 12-19 Jazz coming off a victory against Eastern Conference-leading Detroit.

Utah started Saturday hot, making its first seven field-goal attempts, and never cooled off.

The Jazz shot 54.2% from the floor and made 17 of 37 3-point attempts in building a lead that got as high as 17 points.

The Spurs battled back in the second half and briefly tied the game at 106 with 7:43 to go, but the Jazz dug deep to close out the game.

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It was the Spurs’ first loss this season against a team with a losing record. They had been 13-0 heading into Saturday.

Making his first start since Nov. 14, Victor Wembanyama had 32 points to go with five blocks. Keldon Johnson added a season-high 27 points – the most for any Spurs player off the bench this season – to go with 10 rebounds, while Dylan Harper added a season-best 12 assists.

It was the Spurs’ first loss since a Dec. 16 defeat against the New York Knicks in the NBA Cup final, a game that does not count in the regular-season standings.

It was their first loss in a game that counted since Dec. 5 at Cleveland.

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Those are the Spurs’ next two opponents on the current homestand.

Here are three takeaways from Saturday’s defeat, which dropped the Spurs to 23-8:

1. Human nature wins again

From the get-go, the game was set up to be a trap.

The Spurs were riding an eight-game regular-season winning streak that included consecutive victories over Oklahoma City, including a rousing Christmas Day win on the champs’ home floor two days earlier.

Before the game against the sub-.500 Jazz, the Spurs talked about guarding against a letdown.

“Those were two great wins for us against the team that won the Finals last year,” Harper said. “Going into this game, it was about keeping that same intensity and the same level of focus and be overall fully prepared.”

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Human nature, however, remains undefeated.

The Spurs started off solidly enough, carving a 40-32 lead after the first quarter.

The second quarter, however, was a disaster.

Utah outscored the Spurs 38-18 in the frame to take a 10-point lead into intermission. The Jazz shot 68.4% in the first half, including 9 of 15 from 3-point range (60%).

Nurkic and Markkanen combined for 27 before halftime, helping the Jazz find their footing early.

2. Wemby back in starting lineup

It was only a matter of time before Wembanyama’s Sixth Man of the Year campaign came to an end.

After coming off the bench for seven consecutive games, including the NBA Cup loss against New York in Las Vegas, Wembanyama was back where he belongs in the Spurs’ starting lineup Saturday.

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His shifts remain funky, however.

Wembanyama came out of the game 5:13 into the first quarter, and did not return until the start of the second period.

He finished the first half at 12:24, ostensibly leaving some minutes on the table for a second-half stretch run.

Wembanyama took over for stretches in the second half, and finished with his first 30-point game since Nov. 12 against Golden State. His five blocks were his most since Nov. 10 at Chicago.

Wembanyama eventually got up to 28 minutes, his most in eight games since coming off the injured list.

Saturday’s outcome did add to one of the more head-scratching streaks of the Spurs’ season. The team has now lost each of Wembanyama’s last three starts.

3. Johnson stays hot from 3

The Spurs lost, but not for lack of trying from Keldon Johnson.

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After a rough November from the 3-point stripe, in which Johnson shot 27.5%, he has exploded in December.

In 12 games this month, Johnson is making 48.5% from beyond the arc. He added a 4-of-5 showing Saturday.

Johnson was already one of the NBA’s best at converting two-point shots. If his 3-point stroke can remain serviceable, his name will remain firmly entrenched in the Sixth Man of the Year race now that Wembanyama is out of the running.

This article originally published at 3 takeaways as Spurs crash back down to Earth with home loss to Utah Jazz.

The Utah Jazz picked up their second-straight win on a SEGABABA (second night of a back-to-back) against the San Antonio Spurs with a final score of 127-114.

Here are the biggest takeaways from the night:

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Keyonte George, once again

George’s third-year leap is real. His name should be right at the top of any Most Improved Player of the Year ballot, in consideration for an All-Star slot, and, if this type of play continues, be involved in All-NBA conversations.

After a slow first-half, George led Utah’s offensive creation in the fourth, finishing the night with 28 points, five rebounds, and six assists. In his first two seasons, George was at risk of turning in to a shot chucker rather than an offensive engine. But again and again, through tightening up his handle this offseason (among many other improvements), George has shown the ability to break down opposing defenses, touch the paint, and then either finish with a soft floater or find an open teammate.

Together with Lauri Markkanen (who finished the night with 29 points, five rebounds, and three steals), the duo is truly emerging as a threatening core. When George plays at this level, the Jazz seem closer to playing competitive than originally thought.

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Collier, Clayton Jr. bench play

Speaking of breakout seasons, both Isaiah Collier and Walter Clayton Jr. have played impressively as of late.

Collier, who struggled to start the season after a hamstring injury, has played extremely composed over the last month. Tonight’s stat-line won’t blow anyone away: seven points, four assists, and four turnovers. Obviously, thats too many turnovers, but Collier has truly solidified three NBA-level skills: speed with the ball, passing, and controlling an offense. Last season, the first two skills were often put on display, but Collier often struggled actually controlling the tempo of an offense under his command. This season, he’s gotten much better at leveraging his speed and strength to change tempo, navigate screens, touch the paint (despite defenders going under) and finding teammates with an advantage. The shooting must improve, but he has a real foundation.

Clayton Jr., who has been in-and-out of the rotation as of late, exploded off the bench with 17 points, two rebounds, and five assists. Clayton Jr. hit open threes, found teammates on lobs (shoutout to Cody Williams for an impactful game), and repeatedly put Spurs defenders on their back-foot. This type of poise is why the Jazz lauded him so heavily out of college and it is great to see it in effect.

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Play-In vs. Lottery update

Tonight’s win put the Jazz in no man’s land for making either of the pro-tank or pro-win fanbases happy. Their 12-19 record gives them the 8th best lottery odds, treacherous territory for losing their top-8 protected first-round pick to the OKC Thunder.

On the flip-side, as the 11th seed in the Western Conference, the Jazz are just outside of the Play-In. If the season ended today, there is chance the Jazz would miss all post-season play while losing their draft pick. Not great.

However, taking a glass half full perspective, the Jazz have the ability to choose their route now with ease. On the tank side, only a couple of games separate the Jazz from bottom-five territory. On the win-now side, the Jazz are wining games because of the great play of their youth and could quite easily pass the slipping Portland Trail Blazers for a Play-In spot and become post-season bound.

The Jazz should probably lose. Still, there are worse things than winning games because your draft picks are starting to pan out.