Joe covers University of Utah sports for the Deseret News.
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LAWRENCE, Kan. — After No. 13 Utah defeated Kansas on Friday, Utah coach Kyle Whittingham can relax.
The Utes shook off a Thanksgiving hangover to beat the Jayhawks 31-21 and end the regular season at 10-2.
Whittingham, who returned for his 21st season at the helm in 2025, helped turn around the program from last season’s disappointing 5-7 mark.
The Utes finished the regular season on a five-game win streak to earn 10 regular-season victories for the first time since 2019.
“Well, it’s huge. I thought about maybe last year being the last go-around, but I couldn’t. As I’ve said many times, I just couldn’t stomach ending on that,” Whittingham said.
“We needed to right the ship, get things headed back in the right direction, and I believe we’ve certainly done that this year.”
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Utah wide receiver Larry Simmons (12) catches a pass under pressure from Kansas defensive back Syeed Gibbs (22) to score a touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Nov. 28, 2025, in Lawrence, Kan. | Charlie Riedel, Associated Press
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Utah cornerback Elijah Davis celebrates after intercepting a pass and running for a touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Kansas, Friday, Nov. 28, 2025, in Lawrence, Kan. | Charlie Riedel, Associated Press
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Utah wide receiver Nate Johnson (3) is chased by Kansas safety Taylor Davis (27) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Nov. 28, 2025, in Lawrence, Kan. | Charlie Riedel, Associated Press
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Utah running back Wayshawn Parker (1) is tackled by Kansas safety Lyrik Rawls (2) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Nov. 28, 2025, in Lawrence, Kan. | Charlie Riedel, Associated Press
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Utah wide receiver Larry Simmons (12) celebrates with Utah offensive lineman Caleb Lomu (71) after scoring a touchdown during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Kansas, Friday, Nov. 28, 2025, in Lawrence, Kan. | Charlie Riedel, Associated Press
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Utah running back Wayshawn Parker (1) is chased by Kansas safety Taylor Davis (27) as he runs the ball during the second half of an NCAA college football game Friday, Nov. 28, 2025, in Lawrence, Kan. | Charlie Riedel, Associated Press
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Utah wide receiver Creed Whittemore (80) is tackled by Kansas defensive back Syeed Gibbs (22) during game Friday, Nov. 28, 2025, in Lawrence, Kan. | AP
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Utah tight end Dallen Bentley, center, is tackled by Kansas linebacker Bangally Kamara (1), safety Lyrik Rawls, center back, and linebacker Trey Lathan, right, during game Friday, Nov. 28, 2025, in Lawrence, Kan. | AP
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Utah tight ends JJ Buchanan (81) celebrates with tight end Dallen Bentley (88) after Buchanan scored a touchdown during the first half of a game against Kansas, Friday, Nov. 28, 2025, in Lawrence, Kan. | AP
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Kansas running back Daniel Hishaw Jr. celebrates after scoring a touchdown during game against Kansas, Friday, Nov. 28, 2025, in Lawrence, Kan. | AP
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Utah tight end JJ Buchanan (81) gets past Kansas safety Lyrik Rawls (2) to run for a touchdown during game Friday, Nov. 28, 2025, in Lawrence, Kan. | AP
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Utah quarterback Devon Dampier runs the ball during game against Kansas, Friday, Nov. 28, 2025, in Lawrence, Kan. | AP
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Utah quarterback Devon Dampier (4) throws during game against Kansas, Friday, Nov. 28, 2025, in Lawrence, Kan. | AP
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Kansas head coach Lance Leipold watches during game against Utah, Friday, Nov. 28, 2025, in Lawrence, Kan. | AP
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Utah tight end Dallen Bentley (88) gets past Kansas defensive back Syeed Gibbs (22) during game Friday, Nov. 28, 2025, in Lawrence, Kan. | AP
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Kansas running back Leshon Williams runs the ball during game against Utah, Friday, Nov. 28, 2025, in Lawrence, Kan. | AP
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Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham watches during game against Kansas, Friday, Nov. 28, 2025, in Lawrence, Kan. | AP
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Utah running back Wayshawn Parker, center, is tackled by Kansas safety Lyrik Rawls, left, and defensive back Austin Alexander, right, during game Friday, Nov. 28, 2025, in Lawrence, Kan. | AP
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Utah running back Wayshawn Parker (1) is chased by Kansas safety Lyrik Rawls (2) as he runs the ball during game Friday, Nov. 28, 2025, in Lawrence, Kan. | AP
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Utah cornerback Smith Snowden, right, celebrates with teammates after getting an interception during game against Kansas, Friday, Nov. 28, 2025, in Lawrence, Kan. | AP
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Kansas quarterback Jalon Daniels passes the ball during game against Utah, Friday, Nov. 28, 2025, in Lawrence, Kan. | AP
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Kansas tight end Leyton Cure (87) catches a pass before running into the end zone to score a touchdown during game against Utah, Friday, Nov. 28, 2025, in Lawrence, Kan. | AP
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Utah offensive lineman Spencer Fano (55) and Utah wide receiver Larry Simmons celebrate after Simmons scored a touchdown during game against Kansas, Friday, Nov. 28, 2025, in Lawrence, Kan. | AP
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Utah wide receiver Larry Simmons (12) and tight end JJ Buchanan (81) celebrate after Simmons scored a touchdown during game against Kansas, Friday, Nov. 28, 2025, in Lawrence, Kan. | AP
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Kansas linebacker Bangally Kamara is helped off the field after an injury during game against Utah, Friday, Nov. 28, 2025, in Lawrence, Kan. | AP
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Kansas defensive end Leroy Harris III (33) tackles Utah quarterback Devon Dampier (4) during game Friday, Nov. 28, 2025, in Lawrence, Kan. | AP
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Kansas running back Johnny Thompson Jr. (1) runs the ball under pressure from Utah cornerback Blake Cotton (16) during game Friday, Nov. 28, 2025, in Lawrence, Kan. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) | AP
With the regular season over, the longtime Ute coach has a decision to make about his future. Whittingham must notify the University of Utah whether he is retiring or not by Dec. 5.
He’ll take the next week to evaluate his situation and decide whether to hang it up after a remarkable 21-season career or return for his 22nd year.
But first, the 66-year-old Whittingham is going to take some time to decompress and watch some football.
“Well, tomorrow I’m going to be spread eagle on the couch. Laying there, just watching college football and seeing what happens,” Whittingham said.
“Take some time to decompress and to reflect, and we may have a game next week, who knows? And so right now is not the time to really comment on that or even think about it yet, but yeah, everyone knows that’s out there and we’ll see what happens.
“But right now, I’m having a heck of a time coaching this team. It was a fun year and not quite over yet — a little more football left.”
Utah was officially eliminated from Big 12 championship contention late on Friday night after Arizona defeated Arizona State. BYU will face Texas Tech in the Big 12 championship game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Dec. 8.
The clock has started ticking for Whittingham’s retirement decision.
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Whittingham’s family easily outnumbered the number of media members in Utah’s postgame press conference at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium, and following the conclusion of the head man’s remarks, the family posed for a photo.
Though Utah won’t accomplish its ultimate goal of making the College Football Playoff this year, Whittingham has left the program in a much better state than a year ago.
This week, Whittingham remarked that he was miserable at this point in the 2024 season.
On Friday, Utah’s longtime leader was all smiles as he left the field — perhaps having coached the final regular-season game in his illustrious head coaching career.
