The long-awaited moment for Utah football coach Kyle Whittingham has come.
The legendary Utes coach announced on Friday, Dec. 12 that Utah’s appearance in the Las Vegas Bowl on Wednesday, Dec. 31 against Nebraska will be his final game coaching the program after three-plus decades in Salt Lake City, which includes his time as an assistant with the program.
‘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 the program’s official X (formerly Twitter) account. ‘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 during our time here.’
Utah has had a succession plan in place at Utah since 2024, when the university announced that Utes defensive coordinator Morgan Scalley would be the coach in waiting when Whittingham decided to retire.
‘The legacy that Kyle Whittingham leaves distinguishes him as one of the most impactful figures in the history of Utah Athletics,’ Utah athletic director Mark Harlan said in a statement. ‘As the head coach or as an assistant, Coach Whitt played a pivotal role in the most historic and successful seasons in program history, and established championship expectations. Perhaps more importantly, he established a legacy of tremendous character, integrity and class. Kyle Whittingham will forever be appreciated and cherished for his leadership and achievements with Utah Football.’
Whittingham took over the Utes program in December 2004 after Urban Meyer left to take the same position at Florida. Whittingham led the Utes to a 177-88 overall record, two Rose Bowl appearances, three conference championships and an undefeated, 13-0 season in 2008 that was stamped with a 2009 Sugar Bowl win over Nick Saban and Alabama.
He is the second-longest-tenured active coach in Division I FBS, as noted by Utah’s news release, and has led the program to 17 bowl game appearances, including this year’s Las Vegas Bowl against Nebraska.
At 10-2 on the season, Utah is looking for its third season of finishing with at least 11 wins under Whittingham.
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USA TODAY’s Scooby Axson contributed to this story