After Kyle Whittingham expressed some doubt about whether or not he would return to Utah for his 21st season, the Utes’ coach made his intentions for 2025 quite clear.
In a memo from the Utah football team, Whittingham showed his sense of humor by simply stating the message: “I’m back.”
For those who may not be familiar with the reference, Michael Jordan famously announced his retirement and a return to the NBA on March 18, 1995 with a fax sent to the media. All Jordan wrote in the statement was, “I’m back.”
(Perhaps the “Swoop Associates” is also a reference to Jordan. It does not refer to Utah’s apparel contract, which is with Under Armour.)
And instead of using the “-30-” with which journalists typically end articles, Whittingham ended his memo with “-21-,” presumably the 21st season he will coach in Salt Lake City next year.
Utah finished 5-7 this season in his first year in the Big 12, just the third losing campaign Whittingham has recorded as a head coach.
Through twenty full seasons in Salt Lake City, Whittingham has compiled a 167-86 record since taking over for Urban Meyer in 2004. That includes seven seasons with 10+ wins and 17 seasons with a winning record. In 2008, he coached Utah to a 13-0 season that ended with defeating Alabama in the Sugar Bowl.
Defensive coordinator Morgan Scalley is the designated head coach waiting and in line to replace Whittingham when he retires.
