Kyle Whittingham has built one of the most consistent and successful college football programs in the country at Utah over the past two decades.
The longtime leader of the Utes is set to turn 65 in November, and the program formally has a plan in place for when he decides to step away from the game.
Defensive coordinator Morgan Scalley, who enters his 17th season with the program this fall, has been named head-coach-in-waiting to succeed Willingham.
Athletic director Mark Harlan shared the following in the school's release:
"Coach Whittingham has built Utah Football into one of the nation's elite programs through a strong culture, tradition and exceptional student-athletes, and he has been clear about his intentions of continuing to lead this incredible Utah Football program as we move into the Big 12 Conference and into the new expanded College Football Playoff. However, we must plan for the future, and Coach Whittingham and I both strongly believe that that future lies with . Morgan has played a critical role in our success through his embodiment of our core values and his leadership, and I have witnessed first hand his growth as a coach and as a person over the last several years. He is an elite coach who has been trained by the best – Coach Whittingham – and whenever it is time for Morgan to take the helm, I have no doubt that our program will continue to have success."
There is no set timetable for Whittingham to leave, but the head-coach-in-waiting title for Scalley ensures that there is a plan in place for when that day comes.
It marks the second time that Scalley has been tabbed as the next leader of the program, but the honor was rescinded following an external investigation into a use of a racial slur in a text back in 2020.
Scalley will make at least $5 million per year as head coach, a report from Pete Thamel adds.
This fall, Scalley will make $2 million as one of the highest paid coordinators in college football. Last fall he made $1.5 million.
Stay tuned to The Scoop for the latest.