Kyle Whittingham's job preparing Utah for Air Force got tougher Monday.
In a far more serious event than the games we play, Whittingham ran out of Ute practice on Monday and headed down I-15 for Utah Valley Regional Medical Center, where his father, former Ute and BYU defensive coach Fred Whittingham, died shortly after the arrival of his oldest son.
If there is a man alive who could handle mourning the death and burial of his father and coach a football team, it would be Kyle. Why? Because he is the son of Fred Whittingham — the toughest man I know.
I have known Fred Whittingham for more than 25 years. I've been in his home doing a feature on him in the early 1980s, detailing his near death in a plane crash. As a cub reporter just starting out in this business, I covered the recruiting of his football sons Kyle, Freddy and Carey to BYU. Big Fred's defense in the early '80s was the backbone of BYU's string of WAC championships under LaVell Edwards.
Big Fred, a former NFL player and coach, died following complications from back surgery. A blood clot entered his lungs on Monday, putting him in critical condition.
Fred Whittingham loved his wife, Nancy, and his family, and he lived football.
That three of his sons played Division I football was a crowning blessing in Fred's life.
Fred loved coaching. He respected players who worked hard and listened. He was loyal, and those who knew him returned the loyalty. He was big on work. He didn't know the meaning of cutting corners. Kids listened to Fred because there wasn't anything he asked of them that he hadn't done himself. He was an imposing figure with a big moustache. He owned a voice that demanded attention — even with a New England, Kennedylike accent he never lost. He understood the game.
A few months ago, Fred called me up and blasted me for criticizing his blunt commentary on a local radio show. I tried to tell Fred I loved his frankness and observations, but it was killing his son Kyle with Utah and BYU administrators as Kyle inspected his chances of replacing Ron McBride at Utah or Ken Schmidt as the Cougar defensive coordinator. One thing about Fred, you always knew where you stood with the man. He minced no words. He told me he was going to re-part my hair.
About five minutes later, he called back. He apologized and meant it. I'll tell you this, I'd never want to go against Fred. I don't care if he was 90.
Fred was a tough guy. That's why it's hard to believe he's gone. At 65, he worked out and had the body of someone 15 years younger. He was intimidating. But he was also a softy, especially when Nancy whispered in his ear.
I know all of his sons: Kyle, Fred, Carey and Brady. They are great men with successful lives. Early in this life, they learned how to be winners from their dad.
I saw Fred at the BYU-California game in 2001. He was in the press box bouncing a grandson on his knee. That grandson worked Big Fred like putty in his little hands. It's how I will remember the former coach, father and husband.
News of Whittingham's passing was met with shock at Utah, where the Utes were practicing in preparation for Saturday's game at Air Force.
"It's a tragic day for the Whittingham family and those of us that had the opportunity to work with Fred and with Kyle," Utah athletic director Chris Hill said. "I thought a lot of Fred and their family. It just is the saddest of sads."
Utah coach Urban Meyer said his thoughts and prayers are with Kyle and his family.
"I spent a lot of time with (Fred) this summer," Meyer said. "I have great respect for him as a coach and as a person."
Said BYU coach Gary Crowton before Monday's practice: "The BYU coaches and administrators who know Fred are stunned over his passing. Our hearts go out to his family, wife and kids. He was the type of person you never forgot and he did much good for BYU football and will always be remembered around here."
Whittingham, who played for BYU from 1957-58, was a player in the National Football League from 1963-71. From 1973-81, he was an assistant coach at BYU before joining the staff of the Los Angeles Rams. Whittingham became the defensive coordinator at Utah in 1992. He returned to Utah as a linebacker coach under his son Kyle from 1998-2000. Between his jobs at Utah, Whittingham coached for the Oakland Raiders.
Funeral service information will be announced later today.
E-MAIL: dharmon@desnews.com
Contributing: Dirk Facer and Aaron Shill, Deseret Morning News.