Morgan Scalley takes over Utes football program

Morgan Scalley has been a Ute since the day he was born. His father played for the Utes, and after graduating from Highland High, Scalley became an All-American safety at Utah. Now, after 18 years as …

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4 Sports) – Morgan Scalley has been a Ute since the day he was born. His father played for the Utes, and after graduating from Highland High, Scalley became an All-American safety at Utah.

Now, after 18 years as an assistant coach, Scalley has his dream job.

“I’m one of you,” Scalley said at his introductory press conference Tuesday. “I’m a fan. I’m a Ute. I have been forever, and always will be.”

Scalley, who is already 1-0 as the Utes head coach after leading Utah to a 44-22 win over Nebraska in the Las Vegas Bowl, has had opportunities to leave. But he couldn’t pass up his dream job.

Kevin McGiven named Utes offensive coordinator

“I never wanted to leave here,” Scalley said. “My family is here and I don’t want to ever uproot that as long as I felt valued. There have been opportunities. YDo you listen to those opportunities? Yeah. But then you tell those opportunities, thank you, but no thank you.”

Scalley admits he wouldn’t be here without Kyle Whittingham, who stepped down as Utah’s head coach after 21 years last month. Scalley said he will be eternally grateful for what Whittingham has done for him.

“Kyle Wittingham has given me chance after chance after chance for my entire career,” Scalley said, fighting through tears. “I love Kyle Whittingham for mentoring me, tutoring me, breathing life into me when I didn’t necessarily love football.”

As for why Whittingham left, and eventually took the head coaching job at Michigan, athletic director Mark Harlan said they both agreed it was the right time.

Colton Swan named Utah defensive coordinator

“I just think there was a peace that came over him,” Harlan said. “That’s that’s my own take. But maybe not enough for him to say, I’m going to step away. He did not want to use the word retirement, and I understood what that meant. The legacy of Kyle doesn’t change by by any of us. He was extraordinary for this university, and he trained Morgan to be the very best he can be.”

Scalley has been busy since taking over the program a couple weeks ago. He has already promoted linebackers coach Colton Swan to defensive coordinator, and brought Kevin McGiven over from Utah State to run the offense. As a defensive coach, Scalley has always loved McGiven’s offensive innovation.

“If you watch and study the film, you’ll see the issues that his offense can present,” Scalley said of McGiven. “Being the head coach in waiting, there is a lot of people who will reach out to you because they think any year is the next year. Every year, his name comes up.”

Scalley is now scouring the transfer portal and trying to keep the talent he has on the team.

“You have to trust the process that we’re going to continue to reload and that we’re continuing to get the right people in here,” he said. “To those who are fearful and and want to leave, that’s OK. Because we will bring the ones that want to be here.”

Scalley says the identity of Utah football will not change, and they will continue to pursue the ultimate goal.

Morgan Scalley era begins with Las Vegas Bowl romp

“We are physical, we’re going to score and we’re going to play great defense,” Scalley said. “The goal now is playing in January, and getting the national championship. I’m not ashamed to say that we can do it here at the University of Utah.”

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Source: Utah News