Fire Kyle Whittingham

[RoboUte]

It’s far past due. Two years of this pathetic mess is enough. I can’t watch his years long slide continue any further. The man cannot produce even mild success any longer.

Edit: after sleeping on this and much careful and sober deliberation I have come to the conclusion that I’ve made a huge mistake and I’d like to apologize for not also calling to fire Ludwig and Elisaia. Thank you for your understanding and for everybody that urged me to make a more clear-headed decision.

[chinngiskhaan]

LOL… go to bed dude. He isn’t going to get fired. I agree he needs to be done coaching, but he won’t get fired, and firing him won’t do any good anyway.

He definitely needs to be shown the door at the end of this two year train wreck though.

[RoboUte]

If we excise the tumor we may have a chance in whatever trash bowl we get pity invited to. Cause he’s bowl game poison as well. Better to do it now

[Nate]

How can the players have any confidence in Kyle after tonight. He constantly talks about earning your reps. Rising went 16/37 3 INT 0 TD. He had no business playing the second half! Wilson might have thrown 3 picks tonight if played, but his completion percentage would have been much better and UTAH would have had a downfield passing threat to keep the ASU defense honest.

Would not be surprised if Kyle loses the Lockeroom for this one.

[RoboUte]

He lost them last year and he’s lost them again. You’re 100% spot on.

The team is visibility frustrated. Cam hit Kuithe in the shins 7 yards out and kuithe threw his arms up in clear frustration. I guarantee some words are being exchanged as we speak.

[DallasUte78]

What a short sided pathetic comment. I am embarrassed for you. Go to bed!

[RoboUte]

Nah. You apologists have been singing the same song every week for multiple season and ship just keeps taking on more water. The program shouldn’t have to wait for anyone that slow to process what’s in front of them

[chinngiskhaan]

This is what he does when we lose.

[Utecity]

Disagree about firing him.. although the coaching in these last 2 games has been criminally bad. Not just Whit, but the coordinators as well. Certainly feels like Whit has lost his edge a bit at a minimum. A very promising season again (likely) derailed by injuries and predictable play calling

[RoboUte]

Weird. you spelled seasons like g.a.m.e.s. Am I senile too?

[ReconUte]

Likely? There’s no “salvaging” the season. It’s over because there’s no way we’re even gonna be in the Conference Championship. No Confetence Championship no Playoffs.
There are so many damn things wrong with this team that it’d take a senior thesis to hammer it out!
No leadership
LBs are terrible
DBs are terrible
Cam is hurt again and frankly done playing ball
Ludwig is a loon. Up the middle & short of the sticks
Kyle looks tired and lost
D is constantly out of position (no leadership)
QB room is once again NOT game ready
How in the Hell do we have so many injuries again?! Especially after a bye week?!
What the Hell has Harlan really done for Utah?
This team is on the verge to losing to TDS again!!
I will NEVER again buy into the preseason hype!

[AlohaUte]

Shut the eff up and go be a BYU fan.

[RoboUte]

No. I’m a utah football fan. You’re a bootlicker. When whit leaves you trade in your block U shirts for ones whith his face on it and I’ll keep my utah gear. That way we both advertise our priorities.

[AlohaUte]

Deleted. My comment was rude and personal and I’m not proud of it.

[RoboUte]

You have an abnormal tendency to worship authority figures.

Many disagree with firing him and that’s fine. But none playing with a full deck think Whitt’s really the guy anymore, even those that want to keep him around. It’s getting g pretty hard to deny what’s on the field but I’m sure you’ll keep trying.

If it makes you feel any better there always be someone else to worship. Program will always gave a coach.

[Red Rhino]

Whittingham has done a lot of great things and deserves praise. His defensive player development and positioning is off the charts. My biggest problem with Whittingham is that ever since he became coach we have sacrificed offense for defense, including moving our most athletic players to defense. This creates three problems:

1. You create an offensive culture that is not enticing to the best offensive recruits.

2. You create a style of offensive that is boring and sometimes painful to watch. Remember, for fans, this is about entertainment. It’s fun to watch the Utes win, but when they lose, the boring style of play we just all painfully sat through adds insult to injury.

3. If you get behind in a game it is difficult to get back in the game.

[RoboUte]

Whitt deserves mountains of praise. But what you did years ago doesn’t win games today

[The Miami Ute]

No matter the results, I think that Whitt has earned the right to go out whenever he wants to and however he wants to. That being said, I also think that during these last two seasons, we’ve kind of crossed a Rubicon into mediocrity that probably won’t be fixed until a new regime gets installed. The way that the QB position, the most important position in the game, has been managed as almost an afterthought during the last two seasons is a serious case of coaching malpractice. We really have to buckle up because this season, given the number of injuries, players out, players not performing at high levels, might be as bad as the first couple of seasons in the PAC. We close the season with games versus BYU, Colorado, Iowa State, and UCF. It’s more than likely than Utah will be the underdog in all four of those games.

What I would do? Personally, I wouldn’t play Rising until he was at least sufficiently healthy to throw a football accurately. And, if Utah loses next week versus TCU, I wouldn’t even play him again seeing as there’s no point given that his replacement is already in the team. Roll with Isaac and prep for next season.

[RoboUte]

I don’t believe the right to behave at the program’s expense is a right that can be earned under any circumstance.

[2008 National Champ]

I’ve been saying for years that Whitt has earned the right to go 8-4/9-3 until he decides to hang it up. He should never be unceremoniously shown the door because that level of performance is no longer acceptable to the Utah fanbase.

At the same time, I worry that his stature with the school has reached Paterno levels (Sandusky scandal notwithstanding) where he will keep the job because he wants it past the point where it is in the best interests of the Utah football program.

How can anyone believe the “you will become us, we won’t become you” mantra when there are obvious examples of players who were more important to him winning games than they were to the health of the program? Bobby Bowden may be the greatest college coach of all time but even his program died from internal rot because it had stagnated at all levels. I don’t have any confidence that Whitt can avoid the same at this point. Just build his damn statue and move on already

[RoboUte]

YES

[Holladay Ute]

He has made some big mistakes in the last couple of years (although we don’t know everything that happened behind the scenes). And he has yet to prove that he can lead a #1 team in the conference (great as the hunter, not as the hunted). But…

It’s also been a unique 1-2 years w/ all the injuries. How many coaches could digest the amount of injuries we had last year and still win 8 games? I look at his track record. He built a program where a 7-8 win season is a big disappointment. I know past wins don’t mean future wins, but they obviously indicate that he’s been one of the best coaches in America over the last 20 years. We’re not even two years removed from our last Rose Bowl. Based on what we’ve seen in the last two weeks, I think it’s fair to ask ourselves if Whittingham peaked in 2022. But I think it’s too early to make that conclusion.

Let’s at least see how they finish this season. If we end up w/ a 7-8 win season, then I still think he deserves another year. If next year is another 7-8 win season, then I would be more open to the idea of building him a statue and handing the reigns to somebody else to see if they can take us to the next level.

Is there anything to learn from TCU? They kind of went through the same thing. Patterson was their Whittingham. He was incredible for a really long time. Then had four average years and they canned him. Dykes comes in. They make the CFP but get destroyed in the championship…and now they’re near the bottom of our conference.

[Uteanooga]

The upside of firing Whitt now would be the ability to move on and demand firing someone else when the team loses future games. That would be a huge upgrade.

Unless of course, the next coach never loses- then you can be happy. You have thought this out well.

[RoboUte]

I have it figured out almost as well as someone that sees a problem and does nothing about it because it could occur again in the future.

Next time you get a nail through your tire just throw your hands up in the air knowing that nothing you can do will clear all the nails off the road.

[RoboUte]

I think it’s best we just turn this thread into a weekly reminder.

[cobraute]

It’s not a coaching issue. It’s a talent issue. Utes have been out played. Both rose bowls. Outplayed. Both teams had better talent. Fact. No sugar coating it. They had more talent.
Today, Utah doesn’t have the talent other teams have. Be honest, step outside your Ute bubble. Utah lacks talent. The current roster has some great kids that can’t execute at the highest level. Hype them all you want but who does their job every time every down and more importantly, who wins their assignment every time eveny down. Who is it? I can’t find anyone. They don’t exist. It’s not a coaching issue.
When you watch G5 and FCS level games on tv, there’s kids on both sides of the ball that I’d trade Ute staters for. You will see zero star QBs making nfl throws all game long, you’ll see running backs that actually hit the hole. You’ll see kickoffs fly out of the end zone every time. 50 yd fields goals right down the middle.
Look at the Ute roster. I won’t go down the QB list because it’s been a mess since Brian Johnson left. It’s the worst in D1 period. The RB room is a dumpster fire. OBlock is horrible. Red zone efficiency is hot garbage. 3rd and short or 4th and short, can’t get 1 yard. It’s a talent thing. Other teams have better players. OBlock gets smacked in the mouth all game long.
WR, for starters, why have any if you are not going to use them? Play 9 down linemen. When you do use them, who do you have with more talent than anyone on defense. Utah WR lack every measurable nfl scouts desire. Speed, height, weight. No talent. You could plug any average FCS level WR into Utahs offense and he’d have the same stats. Absolute fact.

The only way Utah gets better players is with more money. My purse strings are tapped. I can’t and won’t give more. I truly see myself finding a new hobby.

[RoboUte]

lol. It’s wild to have this take with what’s happening to Alabama in front of your eyes.

[RoboUte]

The longer this goes on the more stupid some of this fanbase looks.

[2008 National Champ]

To be fair, I can look at my posts from just 2 weeks ago up above and wonder how I could have been so “rainbows and unicorns”. And I’m pretty much universally considered to be in the running for NegaUte of the decade. Even my most pessimistic observations have been shattered as unworthy of consideration by any reasonable individual at this point.

[RoboUte]

I was sure we weren’t good by week 3. But this is far beyond what I think anyone could’ve predicted preseason. This is profound and complete failure

[2008 National Champ]

Not good I agree with but I still bought into the idea that it couldn’t be worse than 2023 and have been operating on that basis all year. Count me in the bunch that thought Whitt would coach his way out of this mess.

[Roy Hobbs]

First off, Whittingham needs to be gone, Harding too.

This was a p**s-poor performance, from the fire in their bellies, to Special Teams, the O-Line, just straight up trash. I’ve never seen this Utah football team give so little. Even in the 80’s my Grandad was a season ticket holder, I felt more fire from the players then I did tonight. I felt the same thing in the game last week, as I went to parent week with my son. We walked out of the stadium at the end of the third quarter. I didn’t look back, I didn’t give a f**k.

I hate TDS, I hate their fans, I dislike the mormorn church, straight up. As a Non-LDS kid from the 80’s, I got a lot of s**t for being a Utah fan, got in a lot of fights in elementary school and Jr High, got teased as I didn’t go to church with the rest of the kids in my neighborhood. You can call me a bigot, don’t give a f**k what those think at the goofy church.

Seeing the swing in the 2000’s, as it was actually the TDS kids taking s**t finally, warmed my heart. Seeing posts from TDS fans complaining that their kids were wearing TDS gear and getting bullied, warmed my heart. It felt good to finally know that these assholes kids went through what I went through.

As I was watching the game on YouTube tonight, there were more TDS fans on the channel than Utah fans. Seeing their comments “The lords university is 8-0”, etc; I lost it.

“F**k you, Brigham Young and Joseph Smith would have been regulars at Diddy parties”. “If the NAACP didn’t sue the Mormon church in 78′, minorities still wouldn’t be able to hold the priesthood”. “The mormon profit decided that when he was sued, minorities could play football at TDS”. “I’m so happy that Millennials and Gen-Z are leaving the church in droves”; Etc. I was nasty, but I truly feel hatred in my heart toward these people. What makes these soakers want to watch a Utah football game, and not do something with their significant others, or their kids, or both, I didn’t understand. I refuse to watch a TDS football game, why are their goofy ass fans watching our games.

If we don’t beat these assholes on November 9th, I’m gonna be sick. I’ve lost interest in the game of college football, especially with the NIL meaning more about the check you are cashing, then the name on the front of your jersey. I hope this isn’t the swing of the pendulum back in the other direction, but maybe it is. If so, peace; Let Ryan Smith spend his money and I wont touch a Jazz or “Hockey Club” game. Spend that money on getting Isacc Wilson to TDS, I wont touch your products. It was the same thing we saw with Danny Angie’s boy running for office after the Gordon Hayward trade; “F**k you and your boy, you ain’t getting any support from me”.

I know this post is going to p**s off a lot of people, I dont care. We a 50/50 split population now, and aint s**t you can do about it. Enjoy that 50/50 split while you can, cause real soon it’s going to be a 40/60 split, and ya’ll will be the minority.

Go Utes, I’ll root for Scalley even with his religious shortcomings. If you’re not beating those assholes down south though, we gonna have a problem. Get this team where it needs to be!

Go Utes, and f**k you if you disagree with me.

[RoboUte]

Wild. I’m somebody who grew up in utah as a non mormon. The life that I lived, while far from terrible, taught me about the truths of discrimination from a very young age. I’ve often been told with great conviction that there’s no such issue among the fold. I simply have to laugh.

Honestly these days I don’t think about BYU much. Sure they’re self righteous, hypocritical, and deranged (hm). But so are a lot of other people I don’t have time for. I suggest you occupy your thoughts with other things for your own health

[idahoute]

Wow hobbs. I feel bad for your son who is cringing in some corner of your house right now. We are all upset but your off topic pop off should get you banned. Sorry you got teased by adolescent Y fans when you were in elementary school. Must have been real rough!!

[Utehoopsfan]

Haha this seems a bit much. I’m not Mormon, but most Mormons are fine and just trying to make it through life like everyone else.

I do agree about Ryan Smith making it harder to be a Jazz fan or support his hockey team. He is using government money to fund his entertainment center that he wants, meanwhile he is pumping millions into tds basketball to make them a great program. Not someone I am eager to support.

As for your experience on Nov 9th, well let’s just say you might be sick. Don’t get your hopes up. It could get ugly. I will be happy if I’m wrong.

[Bumpeyknuckels2004]

I for one will not support this program until Whitt is gone. Wait until the end of the season and see the damage that has been done by this commitment to early 2000’s football. How many kids will transfer to a team with multiple reject Utah coaches. Take your crimson off, we have all been saying that Utah needs to modernize their brand and nothing happens. If Whitt is back next year, we will be hanging curtains in RES next. Keep preaching Roy Hobbs!

[RoboUte]

Guess who’s back!

I won’t lie I didn’t even watch the game I just woke up and saw 0 points in the 2nd half. If that ain’t Whittingham I don’t know what is.

[2008 National Champ]

The best thing about you bringing this to the front every week is that original post gains more upvotes every time. I haven’t see the downvotes moving yet but I’m interested to see if it takes losing 8 straight for up > down or it will get there before.

[HeyyyUguyyys]

This post is amazing. While you are at it, any restaurants you’ve never been to or places you’ve never visited that you would like to share strong opinions on? I’m taking notes.

[RoboUte]

I sincerely hope you didn’t put any serious thought into this comment.

[HeyyyUguyyys]

I mean, I guess I spent more time on it than you did actually watching anything last night that would convince you that it was Whitt’s fault, but the bar was set pretty low.

[Charlie]

There is so much that goes into winning football. Understanding of much of it is beyond most fans and a significant amount is beyond anyone that does not go to practice. However, it does boil down to winning. In the pool of very good coaches there are ups and downs. Very few consistently are up year after year with only small failures. Most all the great coaching stories any year involve coaches that have recently bounced back from a bad year or two. Masterful coaches can get captured by combinations of circumstances and fight to reset while doing all they can to avoid a reset that takes more than a year. Identification of potential for a coach for future success is quite difficult. For many fans it can be as simple as try another guy with someone else’s money. Some fans may simply wait for the one year spike where everything comes together. I do know that if you are strictly a football fan you will enjoy more games than if you are a fan of winning. I have no idea how to avoid becoming too much a fan of winning. My father was that ideal, happy to enjoy a win but I do not ever recall him being upset about an outcome. He was a season ticket holder that enjoyed decades of football with a simple focus on technical details. He was always content while others were up and down.

Whitt manages a quite complex process with each week another organization very motivated to tear down his progress each week. The customer base is simple, not knowing how they just want to see wins. And that is OK because they are ultimately the customer paying the bill that supports existence. They also have the right to demand change even towards options that are not improvements. Some fans are themselves currently making profound changes in the organizations they work for that are setting the world on fire, some fans are simply Kramer sitting in the observation deck, eating milk duds and watching doctors in surgery. Both have an opinion and with the price of a ticket have a piece of the direction for Utah football.

If my dad was still here he would help me settle down since I too have more grief about a poor year that I would like. I do worry that in the Big 12 most teams will not be a contender for consecutive years. I also am frustrated but have not myself arrived at clarity as to what needs to be done. For now, for this year, I will try to find satisfaction in this last game seemed to be better than the last two.

[Utah]

We need to reset what the Big 12 is. This is first and foremost.

Look at this conference: Stanford, ASU, Cal, Washington State, Oregon State, Utah, Colorado State, SDSU, Boise St, Fresno State.

That conference is every bit as good as the Big 12.

The Big 12 is not an elite conference. We need to stop acting like it’s a hard conference to win. Look at BYU. They are not a good team. They don’t do anything well. They are just taking advantage of absolutely awful teams around them.

We should expect to win the Big 12 every year. If we think we are good enough for the SEC and Big 10, then we should dominate the Big 12.

If we can’t do that, if we think our ceiling is winning the Big 12 every 3-5 years and not in consecutive years…

Then why are we here?

Go back to a western conference and actually have game you enjoy vs teams you enjoy.

Why did your dad have fun every week? Because of rivalries. Because he knew the teams. Because it was fun to play them.

College football is set up nowadays that if you don’t win it all, you haven’t done anything.

I’m all for Utah bucking the trend, making a new western conference, giving up a few dollars to have an enjoyable product again.

[Charlie]

My dad enjoyed watching what other teams did offense and defense. How did we use our different pieces against other threats. Each week provided a different puzzle. He didn’t freak-out when the other side did something clever that worked. It was football entertainment much more than simply watching our team win. He enjoyed watching much like watching a game with two teams without a personal connection, even though he did love his team.

[RoboUte]

Wow not even the Mono misdirection worked! It’s like the only ideas we have left to try to win football games is to hide who’s starting. Good teams win by being better, not this idiotic cloak and dagger s**t. Hiding which flavor of s**t is in the s**t smoothie still leaves you with a s**t smoothie. The AD needs to save everyone from Whitt and Whitt from himself

[2008 National Champ]

After Harlan lost the narrative last week and went on the field before the game was over, he should be the first one out the door. And if it means everyone under him needs to follow, so be it. Because the benefit of the doubt was lost for all of the “responsible” parties involved a long time ago.

Bring in a new AD, let Scalley interview for the job if he still wants it against a real national search of qualified applicants, and move on. The past and the current trajectory for the future have already been written if Utah continues on this path.

[Author]

Posts