Why I think Whitt will be back for one more year

[Anfernee]

If you know Kyle or especially knew his dad Fred, you know that’s a very proud family with lots of pride. Rightfully so. I truly believe the plan was to ride the Rising train to the CFP and then towards the sunset. But, as we all know, this season has gone horrifically sideways. Worse than even the most pessimistic Ute fan would have anticipated. The 1974 team started 0-7 and that is the program record for longest losing streak. We finish off with ranked Iowa State here (10 point home under dog) and then at UCF. Very likely we end season on a 8 game losing streak. There’s no way in Hell Kyle leaves like this. I still think we can get the right OC here that Morgan wants and will help attract/keep recruits. It’s not my money and so it’s easy for me to say it’s not a factor in him coming back. I just foresee a 1 year super motivated Kyle comeback and then Scalley 💯. Go Utes!

[UtesRule]

I am an extreme optimist, but even that aside, I have a gut feeling we pull things together and click on all cylinders offensively and beat Iowa State pretty handily this week.

I then feel we ride the momentum and beat UCF to get to a bowl game.

This team will be more motivated than past non-Rose Bowl teams to end the bowl losing streak and the Utes finish 7-6!

I still think Whitt comes back for one last season even in this scenario.

Given how the season has played out so far, I’d take this in a heartbeat.

Gotta believe Ute Brothers for other mothers!

Go Utes!!! Beat the Cyclones!!

[Jim Vanderhoof]

I love your optimism Utesrule. I guess we will find out Saturday if the team is still fighting.

[Tony (admin)]

We haven’t even been at 1 cylinder all season. Hope it happens, but not getting my hopes up.

[UteThunder]

I’ve been convinced since Fall Camp that this would be Kyle’s last season. But the way he talked about hiring a new OC, I’m not so sure now. I could see him sticking around for one more season to see what he can manage with a new OC and an influx of talent from the portal.

[Jim Vanderhoof]

I think he has made up his mind and is playing the “gamesmanship “ card. At the presser he talked about NIL as being the difference between competing at the highest level or being average. We don’t have the financial backing to get to the next level as very few programs do. To get top portal recruits it takes$$$. If he had the deep pockets to turn things around quicker he might stay. I think we’re looking at a 2-3 year rebuild at best.

[2008 National Champ]

I’m missing why a new OC working under Whitt would run an offense Scalley wants. More likely he will run the offense in the manner that the Head Coach wants.

[Trailgoat]

If we’re playing fortune teller based on KWs comments, then plan on Rising returning as Utahs QB next season if KW comes back for his redemption tour.

[2008 National Champ]

I agree with your premise. I want to boo Rising breaking Britain Covey’s record of longest tenured Utah player. Not sure how to vote

[ProudUte]

I think you are spot on about Whittingham pride. And, you are probably right that he will not hang it up.

BUT, as for me – I think we need the change ASAP in order to save this program.

[Roy Rangum]

Agree Proud Ute.

While pride may keep Whitt wanting to stick it out a little longer, I hope he will find more pride in setting Scalley up for success. I think our team and program are still quite good and if the right moves are made, we could bounce back quickly. But Whitt as it is will be an impediment to those changes, and the longer he sticks around, the worse of a position I think Scalley will start from.

[AlohaUte]

Disagree. You don’t throw out the baby with the bath water over one bad season.

[Roy Rangum]

Aloha: If Kyle was a young coach, I could maybe see your point, and to be honest, I think it’s what Utah already did with Kyle many years ago. Utah gave Kyle a long leash and despite some bumps, let him build a stellar program over a long period of time.

But Kyle’s a coach that has repeatedly already said is close to retirement. Given how abysmal this year has been, given that we already have a new head coach in waiting, why not try something new instead of trying to milk the last few drops out of a coach that honestly looks pretty done to me.

Besides, everyone knows Kyle isn’t going to get fired. The U can’t afford it. What the debate is, is if we think Kyle should retire of his own free will and accord. Personally, I think Kyle should step away before he tarnishes his record further. However, the choice will be his.

[Anfernee]

Yea, what I think will happen vs what I want/think is best for the program are definitely separate things. Maybe sweet Mr Eccles will donate a big chunk for NIL knowing it’s truly Kyle’s last rodeo. 🫰

[DataUte]

If so, what is the ‘walk into the sunset’ year next year? 8-5 with a bowl win? CCG? Until his contract is up, what’s not for him to say, “ooh, we were really close and we have a couple more pieces to …”?

[Anfernee]

I don’t think he actually cares about it being the proverbial “sunset.” Which we all know in sports rarely happens anyway. I just think he’d like to go out in some semblance of his own terms. And this s**tnado 💩 🌪️ of a season ain’t it.

[Noah]

Yeah I think he will. He has potential for a much better year next year. It would be pathetic to quit on this year. He also has to finish off with a win against BYU! (unlike the blashphemous bailout the refs gave BYU last game, they would never call that if it was in the 1st, 2nd, or 3rd quarter, and still rarely in the 4th.)

[utefansince79]

Would be unfortunate for Kyle to go out in such a down year which includes a heart breaking loss to BYU.

Lavell Edwards and Ron McBride had losing seasons to end their careers (Ron did coach at Weber a few years) but at least both enjoyed rivalry wins among all the losses.

[Sanders]

Whitt will be coming back. If you listened to his Las Vegas preseason presser he spoke like he could see the end of the yellow brick road right past the interviewer. He doesn’t talk like that now. He has a new agenda and it’s not quitting…not yet!

[noneyadb]

If the new OC hire wants his own position coaches, is Whitt willing to fire Harding, Ganther, or Freddie? Or is the OC search only those willing to come and work with the existing crew that just so happened to put up 31 rushing Yds vs Colorado?
Scalley needs to start fresh and overhaul the offense.

I think Whitt lost the team when he allowed Barnes to play the bowl game after he’d already entered the transfer portal.

[Anfernee]

Does the OC decide those changes usually? I agree Scalley needs a fresh start where it’s just him. But regardless I’m not sure that the OC has that much power.

[2008 National Champ]

It’s always up for negotiation but usually a new OC will bring at least one assistant with them. Utah OC’s under Whitt being the exception because other than Taylor, and I suppose the original Ludwig, he’s just brought in caretakers.

Put another way, would you want to take a 3 year position (standard coordinator contract length) knowing that all of your assistants and players were already chosen for you? Doesn’t sound like a place where you would be bringing in a new philosophy or ownership of your side of the ball.

[Anfernee]

If anything with our offensive decisions made sense it wouldn’t be Utah football.

[2008 National Champ]

2009: Schramm promoted to OC, Alford moved from Corners to RB’s, Blake Miller hired for O Line
2011: Chow hired as OC, brought Tim Davis to coach O line after Miller left. Schramm/Arod reassigned
2012: Johnson promoted to OC. Dan Finn O Line. Hill moved to RB’s. Tuiaki hired for FB’s/TE’s
2013: Erickson brought in as co-OC. Tuiaki to D Line, Hill back to TE’s
2014: Christensen brought in as OC. Harding hired for O Line. Stubblefield hired for WR’s
2015: Arod/Harding co-OC’s. Freddie W hired for TE’s. Holliday hired for WR’s
2016: no changes
2017: Taylor hired as OC. Brought McDonald with him to coach RB’s.
2018: no changes
2019: Ludwig brought back. No other changes

Based on the above, I can’t see any time that a new OC brought in his own people other than Taylor and he got 1. Everyone else was a Whitt hire and that’s the biggest reason Utah’s offensive philosophy hasn’t changed in the last 2 decades.

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