Why Lud Gone Means Whitt Gonna Be Gone

[Anfernee]

Not only have they been tied together in terms of retirement anyway but we are also going to need a brand new OC next year. I doubt Whitt in his last season would bring in a new coordinator. I know it would most likely be who Scalley wants but that just seems clunky and not a good transition for Morgan. It would need to be Morgan’s show and his pick of OC and other staff members. Whitt would be a consultant like his retirement plan states.

[Tednab]

I doubt whit leaves to be honest. 1 his contract , why would you leave that money on the table . 2 as a natural competitor, you embrace the adversity to rise again on top, whit has invested too many years to leaving on a sour note. 3 he’s a stubborn old goat. Just imo

[Anfernee]

My guess (I literally know nothing) is he gets some of that rolled into his retirement package whatever it’s called. Of course he’s a competitor but he’s also a 65 year old grandfather now with tons of money. I just don’t think that money is as big of a sticking point for him staying or going as we may think.

[2008 National Champ]

for him personally, I’m sure you’re right that he has whatever he needs already. But this is generational money. An extra 20 mil can make sure that his great-grandkids are never wanting

[Anfernee]

Or knowing Whitt he’ll make sure his great grandkids know the meaning of hard work and earning your own money.

[jshame17]

Like making sure they are included in his contracts for free education, no matter what?

That’ll teach ‘em about hard work and earning your seat at the table….

For the record, I would have done the same thing, but it’s still gross since he has tuition costs lost in his couch, while most of us are stuck with student loans to try to make it….

[2008 National Champ]

that’s some serious Whitt mythology you’ve got going there. He’s going to pass up 20 mil because it will be more important his great grand-kids mow lawns to learn the power of hard work.

[Anfernee]

I don’t think that’s how it’s going to work. He’ll retire and some of the money will be rolled into a retirement package. Again, I don’t know but it all makes sense why he’d retire and still get a chunk of that money.

[2008 National Champ]

his contract states that he gets 1.0 for retiring and just under that per annum for 5 years of consulting. He doesn’t get to roll his salary over into his retirement package so the 6.5 MM per is what he would be leaving on the table for any unfulfilled years.

[Anfernee]

Fun fact: contracts can always be renegotiated or have language added if all parties agree.

[2008 National Champ]

that is a fun fact

[22Ute22]

Not trying to be a downer since everyone of us will age and die, but Whitt will probably never teach his great grandkids much of anything. Most people never meet their great grandparents, let alone learn hard work from them. That’s what parents, teachers, coaches, grandparents, and older siblings are for.

[DataUte]

His contract already gives him 1.5M upon retirement and 995k/yr for 5 years as an asst to the AD. Either way, he’s fine.

[Anfernee]

BUT HIS GREAT GRANDKIDS WILL NEED THE 20 MILL!

[2008 National Champ]

NO THEY WON’T BECAUSE HE’S GOING TO TEACH THEM THE VALUE OF HARD WORK

[Trailgoat]

Agree on the OC point. Doesn’t make sense for KW to hire the OC if Morgan is taking over in the next 1-2 years. Naming a coach in waiting secures continuity with Morgan and signals KW has his eye on the door. I’m sure there’s perk overlap with the consultant gig in his contract. Good hell, KW makes enough $ for 10 people to comfortably retire. At 65, time is more valuable than money. KW’s mentioned several times he’s going out when coaching is no longer enjoyable. Man, it can’t be fun what he’s dealing with now especially if he’s losing trust from players and a brutal schedule ahead. How Utah plays in the remaining games may factor in starting with Houston arguably the worst team in the B12 at the moment. Honestly, going out when the program is down maybe best for Morgan to start fresh with tempered expectations.

[The Miami Ute]

Until I see different body language and commentary from Whitt, I’m of the opinion that he’s going to be at Utah for a while. There are people out there, and I was one of them, that are well compensated but aren’t in love with their line of work. So, when those people make their mint and have their future assured, they jump ship.

Whitt doesn’t strike me as one of those persons. I believe he loves coaching and specifically coaching at Utah, so doing this isn’t really like work for him. Provided Utah continues to win and stay relevant beyond this season, I think he’ll at least stay until his current contract expires.

[Anfernee]

His contract runs through ’27. During Big12 Media Days this summer after we scheduled Miami for the ’27 season opener, Whitt was asked about it. And he said I don’t think I’ll be I’m this chair when that season rolls around.

[TruckStopTerrors]

The biggest arguments for Whitt staying are the contract, and he doesn’t want to go out on what has been a completely disappointing season. The argument for retirement is that he will still get paid in an advisory role, he already has plenty of money, and he wants to spend more time with his family without the stresses(especially in the NIL era) of being a college football coach. Saban is a prime example of a guy that walked away for those very reasons. I don’t know what he will choose ultimately.

[The Miami Ute]

Regarding Saban, there’s a big difference between 65 and 73. Also. I’m hearing Saban to West Virginia rumors for 2025. Might not be as THE Head Coach but involved in the program in some capacity. Saban was born and raised in West Virginia and grew up as a Mountaineers fan, so you never know.

[TruckStopTerrors]

There is, but how much money do you actually need? Maybe Saban is itching to coach again, but it will be the same issues he faced at Bama in terms of dealing with NIL etc. If I had to guess, he’ll remain doing what he is now while working in an advisory role for Bama. He’ll get his statue and enjoy the remaining years he has left.

[silverliningsurfer]

It’ll be interesting to see, and I think it will depend on how the rest of the season shakes out. Not that a specific team outcome guarantees something from Whitt (e.g. a nosedive season could mean either he is determined to come back and go out on a higher note, or realizes the program needs a new voice), but there is a lot currently hanging in the balance.

If he were to draw it up I would suspect it was a CFP berth this year with Rising’s last year, and then he hands the reins to Scalley as that would represent the apex of the groundwork he’s been laying the last ~20 years. Obviously, that’s not happening, so a lot of it will hinge on the locker room and the reaction to the rest of the season. I would hope that if he realizes the program needs something different, he’d be gracious enough to step down, especially considering he would remain involved with the program in that advisory role.

[The Miami Ute]

Those are good points. I would go further and add that, unless things go in a positive manner, that advisory role might not be there.

What I mean by that is this: if Whitt holds on to the job while providing diminishing returns, and forces Utah’s hand, it’s hard to see any plausible scenario where he’s kept on as an advisor.

[Tony (admin)]

One reason he may stay that I don’t hear anyone mentioning, is that he may get great satisfaction from being a mentor to these young men and helping to shape a positive future for them. Sounds corny, but there’s probably something to it.

[The Miami Ute]

There’s nothing corny about that concept. People do similar things is many different professions and walks in life. Whitt stays in the job as long as he enjoys it and feels that he’s bringing positivity to people’s lives. I don’t know him, but he doesn’t strike me as a guy who would lie to himself for the purpose of staying on the job.

[UtesRock]

I have nothing financially in common with Coach other than I have enough to retire. I am retirement age so why don’t I? I guess if he really is enjoying coaching he stays. If he feels like he is holding back player development and not feeling good about what he is doing. That plays more into his decision than the money. I see him coaching one more year. After that I say it’s year to year.
On a personnel note I am working because the wife is pushing me to work. I think Coach keeps family and work balanced so that is not a factor. I hope he stays at least one more year.

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