SALT LAKE CITY — Utah defensive coordinator Morgan Scalley has a unique perspective when the national spotlight shines on the Utes. Scalley was an All-American safety on the Fiesta Bowl championship team (2004-05) and the safeties coach during the Sugar Bowl run and win over Alabama (2008-09).
Now, as seventh-ranked Utah (9-1) closes in on another opportunity to be on the big stage — pursuing a Pac-12 championship and an invitation to the College Football Playoff — Scalley is taking a first-things-first approach. After all, the Utes still have regular-season games to complete. They’re at Arizona on Saturday and host Colorado next week.
“Ask me after the season,” Scalley said when asked to compare 2019 to Utah’s success in 2004 and 2008. “But no, the thing with this group is leadership. They lead from within and they hold each other accountable and I think that’s what both of those teams had in common.”
Utah’s defense is in the midst of a spectacular season. The Utes lead the nation in rushing defense (55.4 ypg) and top the Pac-12 in total defense (248.6 ypg), passing yards allowed (193.2 ypg), scoring defense (11.3 ppg), third-down conversion defense (31.5%), red zone defense (66.7%) and first downs defense (140). The defense has also played a key role in Utah leading the conference in time of possession (34:36).
“We’ve got good players. You’ve got good players that care and that buy into the culture. You’ve got great coaches that are demanding with their position groups and good things happen,” Scalley said. “It’s a senior-laden defense, obviously, an upperclassmen defense and they should be this way, right?
“I’m just out there calling a defense. I don’t do anything, but it’s nice to have coaches that are demanding in practice. That hold guys accountable and it’s so fun to work with this group.” — Utah defensive coordinator Morgan Scalley
“So it’s all about the players. The players make plays,” he continued. “I’m just out there calling a defense. I don’t do anything, but it’s nice to have coaches that are demanding in practice. That hold guys accountable and it’s so fun to work with this group.”
Scalley likes the way this team practices and prepares for a game.
“It’s just a joy for us to be a part of,” he said.
Senior safety Julian Blackmon is appreciative of the coaches, particularly from his position coach Scalley.
“I would do anything for that guy,” said Blackmon, who also has a close relationship with cornerbacks coach Sharrieff Shah. “Then once I moved to safety, coach Scalley really took over that father figure for me as well. He’s really an amazing guy. I really do look up to him and I know that I could trust him with my life.”
Blackmon added that really helped him on and off the field. He believes in whatever Scalley tells him and coaches him up.
“So far it’s been working,” Blackmon said. “So I think I’m doing the right thing listening to him. Definitely, he’s an amazing coach.”
And an intense one at that. Utah coach Kyle Whittingham said Scalley is “every bit as intense” as he was as a player.
“There is a great deal of similarity in how he plays and how he coaches with his style,” Whittingham explained. “He is passionate, intense, always thinking. He is smart.”
Whittingham noted that Scalley was one of those guys that would be studying the playbook in the locker room right before games.
“He is the same way as a coach. We go to a team movie every Friday night and Morgan never comes into the movies, he is sitting in the lobby watching tape,” Whittingham said. “He is just a relentless preparer and an outstanding teacher. He is also really good schematically. He is a really good mind for it and has all of the tools to be a great defensive coordinator.”
Although Blackmon noted that Scalley has missed some good movies like “Midway,” he understands why.
“That’s the reason why we are where we are — is because of how much effort he puts into his job,” Blackmon said.
Scalley has been nominated for the Broyles Award, given to the nation’s top assistant coach.
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Utes on the air
No. 7 Utah (9-1, 6-1)
at Arizona (4-6, 2-5)
Arizona Stadium — Tucson
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