College football coaching is a volatile business.

[ProudUte]

I wish Andersen would have stayed here.  I think he adds a lot to the defense.  I also hate to see Ena go, but for heaven’s sakes – he is getting a promotion.  I do not blame either for moving on for a promotion.  I believe both are leaving on very good terms with Whit and have not burned any bridges.  I understand that Gary is coaching the Utes through the bowl game.  I think that is a standup move.

I remember talking to Arnie Ferrin when he was the Utah AD.  Someone asked him about his coaches being recruited by bigger name schools.  He said that he had no problem with it, because if they are being recruited – then the team was successful.  If a coach left for a better opportunity – and the team was doing well and he could get another quality coach in here.

We aren’t going to have the same coaching staff year-in and year-out.  Great teams like Alabama and Ohio State are changing staffs every year.  Look at the former assistants under Meyer and where they are today.  They didn’t get there by staying assistants under him.  It’s part of the process.  I would have loved to see all of our coaches stay.  But, we had a good season, guys are going to move on to better jobs.  Neither Andersen or Ena did anything wrong IMO.  I am certain that Andersen talked to Whit before offering Ena a job.

I think it will eventually be in Scalley’s best interest to move on.  I am sure – in the end he would love to be the Utes head coach.  But, I think he needs to broaden his experience.  His coaching experience is quite narrow when you think about it.  He has only coached under one head coach.  He needs some broader experience.

Bytheway, is Norris available.  He may make a good LB coach.  He certainly was a great LB here at Utah.

 

[chinngiskhaan]

I can think of a bunch of guys that would probably make great linebacker coaches. I also think there are a few guys on staff that would be well suited to take of the LB coaching job. I’m not worried about it at all.

Anyone that wastes time worrying about Whitt’s defensive coaches is a fool. He always has, and always will have a great defense with great coaches running it.

[Anonymous]

I absolutely agree with this. 

I also have every confidence that Kyle can replace strength or defensive coaches. I have less confidence in him replacing offensive coaches, and I don’t think we have anyone currently on staff who could take up the OC reins if needed. 

I just hope Kyle has a “short list” ready to go in that regard. 

[Puget Ute]

There is a rumor that Doug Elisaia is also following Gary Andersen to USU. That is a huge loss.  Doug is a real innovator in strength and conditioning, and has done an outstanding job at Utah over the last 15 years.

**Edit** it is not Doug Elisaia, it is somebody else in the program. That is a relief, of course, but we should be proud of how wonderful our S&C program (and the larger Sport Science dept of the College of Health) is from top to bottom.

[Author]

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