SALT LAKE CITY — The University of Utah football program did its part to keep one of its hottest prospects close to home.
Defensive coordinator Morgan Scalley, a finalist for the prestigious Broyles Award for top assistant coach, agreed to terms on a new long-term contract with the Utes, Utah coach Kyle Whittingham announced via a press release.
Details of the contract were not announced other than an amendment was made to Scalley’s existing contract “that will secure his position longterm with the Utah Football program,” according to the release.
“We are excited to announce that Morgan Scalley will continue to be a part of Utah football for years to come,” Whittingham said. “Morgan’s impact on our program as both a player and a coach has been invaluable to our success.”
Scalley has coached the safeties and been the Utes’ defensive coordinator for the past four seasons. This year’s defense was among the nation’s best, with Utah ranking No. 1 in rushing defense and third overall in total defense en route to an 11-2 record and a No. 11 ranking.
”I’m grateful to be in this position, and fully committed to the Utah football family,” Scalley said. “I sincerely appreciate coach Whittingham and (athletics director) Mark Harlan for their trust and belief in me. I love this place, my family loves it here, and I am excited to continue working with our staff and players to build something special at the University of Utah.”
Utah athletics director Mark Harlan tweeted out the @Utah_Football post, which lauded Scalley for being “the definition of a Utah Man,” and added his own compliment.
“Proud to work with Morgan,” Harlan wrote. “Great coach and even better person.”
Scalley has been on Whittingham’s staff at Utah for 12 seasons. The lifelong Ute fan was also a standout player for Utah, earning All-American honors and being named Mountain West Conference co-Defensive Player of the Year in 2004. The former talented athlete was tabbed as the Deseret News Utah Mr. Football at the end of his stellar high school career at Highland, which is just a couple of miles from the university.