SALT LAKE CITY — After being reinstated following a three-week suspension for using a racial slur in a 2013 text message that recently came to light, Utah defensive coordinator Morgan Scalley issued emotional apologies.
Scalley met with the team via Zoom Tuesday before sharing his thoughts with the media on Wednesday. The former All-America safety for the Utes, who has been on the coaching staff for 12 years, opened his remarks by thanking university leadership for the opportunity to address the matter.
“My message is simple but it’s sincere. And that is that I am extremely sorry. First and foremost, let me be clear, I am against racism of any kind and I’m determined to take an active role at the university and in my community in being part of the solution and change,” Scalley said. “I want to apologize to the young men I have coached and am coaching currently. I had the opportunity to address the full team yesterday morning and I expressed to them the complete embarrassment I feel for having hurt them and my fellow colleagues in any way.”
“I own up to my past conduct and accept fully the consequences of that conduct, I’m committed to learning from this and becoming a better person, father, husband, mentor and coach.” — Morgan Scalley
Scalley added that he’s reached out to many of his former teammates and players to offer his apologies as well, but hasn’t been able to connect with all of them.
“So, gentlemen, if you’re listening ... I apologize,” Scalley said as his voice cracked with emotion on the teleconference. “I’m particularly mindful of the young men of color, whom I’ve had the blessing of coaching. I understand that my insensitivity and extreme lack of judgement have caused some, if not all of you, to lose trust and faith in me.
“I sincerely hope that you will give me the opportunity to gain that trust back,” he continued, before also apologizing to university students, faculty, the athletic department and those who have worked to create a safe and diverse culture. Scalley said sorry to the Utah fan base as well as family, friends or anyone offended by his actions.
“This has been a very fair and professional process and I am in complete support of the steps the university took to complete this investigation,” Scalley said. “Again, I want to apologize.”
Scalley noted that he is adhering to advice he gives his players, not to make excuses or point fingers.
“I own up to my past conduct and accept fully the consequences of that conduct,” he said. “I’m committed to learning from this and becoming a better person, father, husband, mentor and coach.”
In a letter from Utah athletic director Mark Harlan and head football coach Kyle Whittingham, the university announced action taken against Scalley. Sanctions include losing a “head coach in-waiting” designation, a pay cut and participation in “regular and on-going diversity and inclusion education.”
An independent group of investigators from a Kansas City law firm looked into the situation over the past three weeks. The report found both cases of wrongdoing by Scalley and support for the coach.
“I thought the process was very thorough in scope. It was educational in a lot of ways,” Whittingham said. “Really, the bottom line is I’m elated that coach Scalley is back with us. Now it’s time to move forward as a program and continue our preparation for the season and get ready to go.”
Although Harlan acknowledged that a man is not judged solely by moments in time but rather by his entire body of work, he said this is a very significant matter.
“We are in charge of young people,” Harlan said. “We’re in charge of their development and our behavior as leaders always counts.”
The consequences, he continued, are more than appropriate. Scalley agreed.
“I own up to my past conduct and accept fully the consequences,” he said.