After Kyle Whittingham’s decision to step down as head coach at Utah after 21 seasons, the program has named defensive coordinator Morgan Scalley as Utah’s 24th head coach in program history.
Scalley had long been viewed as Whittingham’s replacement, and in 2023 the coach-in-waiting title was re-added to Scalley’s contract. When Whittingham stepped down Friday, Utah had his replacement ready to go.
“Morgan Scalley has proven over the course of his outstanding coaching and playing career at the University of Utah that he is uniquely equipped to take over as the program’s next leader,” said Utah athletic director Mark Harlan in a statement.
“He not only has great knowledge and perspective of what makes Utah football special, but his passion and love for the University of Utah position him to carry the mantle of leadership forward and continue the program’s legacy of success.”
In his statement, Scalley expressed appreciation for Whittingham’s mentorship.
“My coaching journey began when Kyle Whittingham decided to take a chance on me in 2008. I am forever indebted to him for believing in me and giving me opportunity after opportunity to grow in this profession. He has mentored me, inspired me, and given me a vision for the future of the Utah Football Program, and I am ready and excited to see it through,” Scalley said.
“I am also grateful for the belief and trust that President Taylor Randall and Athletic Director Mark Harlan have shown in me and am elated to work with them as we continue to bring honor to the University of Utah name. Finally, to the best fans in all of college football, let’s do this!!! Go Utes!!!”
Scalley, 46, has spent his whole life in Utah. He won the Deseret News’ first-ever Mr. Football award after an outstanding senior season at Highland High, and after a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints mission, started his college football career at Utah in 2001.
At Utah, Scalley rose from mostly returning punts during his freshman season to becoming one of the most integral players on Whittingham’s defense in 2003 and 2004.
He totaled 51 tackles, 2.5 sacks, six interceptions, two pass breakups and even a blocked kick for the 2004 Utes, who became the first-ever BCS busters. Scalley earned second-team All-American honors and was named the Mountain West’s co-defensive player of the year in 2004.
It was evident that Scalley had a future in coaching from his leadership style as a player, and in 2006, shortly after his senior season, he went to work for the defensive coordinator he once played for.
Whittingham had taken the Utah job after Urban Meyer left to coach at Florida, and in his second year in the position, hired his former star safety as an administrative assistant.
Scalley quickly rose up the coaching ranks at Utah and was hired to coach the safeties ahead of the 2008 season. He quickly became one of the program’s best recruiters, and his position group was usually one of the most dependable on the defense.
In 2016, Scalley was elevated to defensive coordinator. In the near-decade that Scalley has been calling the defense, the Utes have finished the season ranked in the top 25 in fewest points allowed five times, including this season.
Scalley’s best season came in 2019, when Utah finished second in the nation in total yards allowed and surrendered just 16.2 points per game.
Under Scalley, Utah’s defense has been the strength of the team during most years, and the nation took notice. Per a report by Thamel in 2024, Texas, Oregon, Florida and USC are among some of the schools that tried to make Scalley their defensive coordinator over the years.
Scalley stayed put, and in recent years, knew that his dream job was on the horizon.
“Being a part of the Utah Football Program was a childhood dream of mine that has turned into an incredible 25-year journey that I am blessed to say is continuing,” said Scalley in a statement.
It’ll be a tough act to follow the greatest coach in Utah history, but Whittingham, and Utah, are confident that Scalley will be able to continue the program’s momentum and culture while still making his mark.
“He knows our culture inside and out. To me, it’s very comforting for when that transition time does occur and it’s time for new leadership to have a guy that’s going to be able to carry on the values and the cultures that we’ve put in place,” Whittingham said at Big 12 media days in 2024.
“Now, that’s not to say he won’t put his own stamp on it, because I fully expect that, but I believe that he is the right choice. We have a lot of good coaches on our staff, guys that are going to be head coaches in the near future that are deserving as well. But for this program at this time, Morgan is the right fit.”
Per Scalley’s 2023 contract extension, which included the coach-in-waiting details, he will get a minimum five-year contract with a minimum gross salary (excluding incentive compensation) of $5 million per year.
Scalley will officially take over as Utah’s coach following Dec. 31’s Las Vegas Bowl.
Since his time in college, Scalley has been the ultimate “Utah Man.”
“First of all, Morgan Scalley is an exceptional football coach,” Whittingham said in 2024. “He’s a proven commodity. He’s a Utah guy, played high school ball in the state of Utah, played at Utah, jumped right into coaching at the University of Utah when he was done playing. He’s invested in this program as much as anybody ever has been.”
Two decades after helping the Utes break into the BCS, Scalley will be leading the team onto the Rice-Eccles Stadium field as the program’s new head coach.
The Scalley era will soon arrive at Utah.
