Utah’s new head coach has made a big financial contritubion to his program.
Prior to his first season in his “dream job,” Utah coach Morgan Scalley has donated $2 million to the football program, the school announced on Thursday.
“The University of Utah and particularly Utah Athletics have been an extremely important and influential part of my life for as long as I can remember,” Scalley said in a statement.
“My love for this place includes a vision of where we can go and what we can achieve, and it will require an increased effort from everyone who shares in that vision. Liz and I simply wanted to do something for this amazing place that shows our faith in and commitment to the future of this incredible University, and how excited we are for what’s to come.”
It’s a big financial commitment from Scalley as he guides the program into a new era. The former Utah safety got his start in coaching under Kyle Whittingham in 2006, quickly moving up the ranks to coach Utah’s safeties in 2008. In 2016, Scalley was named the program’s defensive coordinator.
He became a rising star in the decade he called Utah’s defense, turning down offers from Texas, Oregon, Florida and USC over the years, according to ESPN’s Pete Thamel.
Scalley has long been the coach in waiting for Utah, and when Kyle Whittingham stepped down last year, the job was Scalley’s.
In an era in college sports where success is partly predicated on how much money a school has to spend, Scalley’s donation will help Utah’s program, but more than that, it sets a tone for this new era of Utah football.
The passion Scalley has had for the school has always been evident. Now, he’s upped the ante with a substantial financial donation.
“This extraordinary commitment by Morgan and Liz Scalley speaks to everything that makes them special and demonstrates their absolute love for the University of Utah,” said Utah athletic director Mark Harlan in a statement.
“Coach Scalley’s vision for the future of the Utah Football program is not just a dream, but something that he actively works to bring to reality every day. On behalf of the University and Utah Athletics, I want to express my gratitude for the generosity and commitment of Morgan and his family.”
Here’s how Utah assistant coaches reacted to the news: