While there has been a somewhat friendly rivalry between the Utah Utes and BYU Cougars over the years, especially since both schools are within some distance of each other, BYU sent best wishes to Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham.
On Friday, Whittingham announced that he would be leaving his position at Utes head coach after this season. Utah will play its last game this season in the Las Vegas Bowl on New Year’s Eve. Utah defensive coordinator Morgan Scalley is slated to take over for Whittingham as the Utes’ head football coach
What Did BYU Say About Utah Coach Kyle Whittingham?
BYU’s football program shared a comment about Whittingham leaving the program in a post on X. “On behalf of the entire BYU Football family, tremendous respect to Coach Whittingham on a remarkable career leading Utah Football,” the statement read.
On behalf of the entire BYU Football family, tremendous respect to Coach Whittingham on a remarkable career leading Utah Football. https://t.co/2bf7KcvbjC
— BYU FOOTBALL (@BYUfootball) December 12, 2025
“The time is right to step down from my position as the head football coach at the University of Utah,” Whittingham said in a statement posted by Utah on social media. “It’s been an honor and a privilege to lead the program for the past 21 years and I’m very grateful for the relationships forged with all the players and assistant coaches that have worked so hard and proudly worn the drum and feather in our time here.”
Whittingham went on to thank the university, the Salt Lake community, Ute Nation, and his wife and family.
One of the 𝒃𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝒂𝒏𝒚𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 to do it🏆
Just a few of the numbers behind Kyle Whittingham’s legendary career. #GoUtes pic.twitter.com/5qRoGVAgmR
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) December 12, 2025
Entering the Las Vegas Bowl against Nebraska, Whittingham has a 177-88 record (66.8% winning percentage) at Utah. In bowl games, Whittingham has an 11-6 record. He played his college football in 1979 and 1981 for BYU, too.
In the 2021 and 2022 college football seasons, Whittingham led the Utes to back-to-back Rose Bowl appearances, which Utah lost. The Utes were back-to-back Pac-12 Conference champions in those seasons, too.
According to the PFSN CFB Offense Impact metrics, Utah’s offense has an impact score of 88.9 and grades out to a B+.
PFSN Deputy Editor Oliver Hodgkinson wrote in a post on X, “Watching Utah late at night in the PAC-12 was an absolute blast. They don’t make ‘em like Kyle Whittingham anymore, a coaching legend. Felt like it was coming, but an emotional goodbye nonetheless. Happy retirement coach!”
Watching Utah late at night in the PAC-12 was an absolute blast. They don’t make ‘em like Kyle Whittingham anymore, a coaching legend.
Felt like it was coming, but an emotional goodbye nonetheless. Happy retirement coach! https://t.co/38OG3DnTYU
— Oliver Hodgkinson (@hodgkinsonsport) December 12, 2025
In 2004, Whittingham was co-head coach with Urban Meyer and helped the Utes win the Fiesta Bowl. In 2008, Utah finished ranked No. 2 in the final Associated Press Top 25 poll and secured a Sugar Bowl victory. That season, the Utes also were Mountain West Champions and finished with a perfect 13-0 record.
PFSN Chief Analytics Officer Cam Mellor wrote on Friday, “In an era of a dying breed of players-first coaches, in an era of a dying breed of school-first players, Coach Whitt bled Utah and bled for his players. There will never be another Coach Kyle Whittingham, not at Utah, not anywhere else.”
Utah Football Head Coach Kyle Whittingham, the winningest coach in program history, will step down following the Utes’ game against Nebraska in the Las Vegas Bowl on December 31.
PFSN Chief Analytics Officer @CamMellor says it best — there will never be another Coach Whitt.… pic.twitter.com/CMtGx1vBkC
— PFSN College (@PFSNcollege) December 12, 2025
During his 22-year tenure, 21 as the team’s head coach, Whittingham only recorded three losing seasons. One of those, though, was back in 2024, when injuries decimated the Utes a lot during that season. Whittingham hopes to go out a winner on New Year’s Eve. His players will do their best to make it happen.
