Utah Announces Morgan Scalley as Coach of the Future

© Rob Gray-USA TODAY Sports

The Utah Utes have their eyes on the future, naming current defensive coordinator Morgan Scalley as the next in line to succeed coach Kyle Whittingham. Scalley has been with the Utes since 2007, and the university felt that he deserved the opportunity to run the team in the future. Scalley won’t be coaching the Utes anytime soon, as Whittingham has no plans to retire.

In the event that Whittingham steps away from his great coaching career, Utah has their plan for the head of the football program. Whittingham is one of the best coaches in all of college football, and this announcement has nothing to do with him losing his job but rather with Utah trying to continue the great culture and system he has set in place.

Who Is Morgan Scalley?

Scalley’s ties to Utah run deep. The Utah native played for Whittingham as a defensive back from 2001-2004 and has been a key piece in the rise of Utes football. In the new Big 12 Conference era, Scalley will gear up for his ninth season as defensive coordinator for Utah.

Defense has been something the Utes have taken pride in for years. In 2019, Utah ranked second in total defense over the entire FBS, leading to Scalley being a finalist for the Broyles Award, an honor only given to the best assistant coach in collegiate sports.

Last year, Utah ranked 13th in total defense while being riddled with injuries, and they have been ranked in the top 40 in team defense four times during Scalley’s tenure as defensive coordinator.

After the Whittingham era comes to an end, the Utes are set up with a proven coach to continue impressing the nation. Scalley might not be able to fill the shoes that Whittingham leaves behind, but his defensive mind and ties to the university make him a great candidate to attempt to do so.

With the announcement being made now, Scalley has plenty of time to absorb as much teaching as he can from Whittingham. When the time comes, Scalley’s “next man up” mentality will be self-applied, and Utes fans should be excited for the years to come. As the Utes travel to a new world in the Big 12, they have their future secure while still focused on a promising present.