The University of Utah will be paying its football assistant coaches at least a combined $6,075,000 in Morgan Scalley’s debut season as the Utes’ head coach, a public records request by the Deseret News shows.
In his first season as Utah’s head coach, Scalley will be making a base salary of $5.1 million and general manager Joe D’Orazio will earn in $350,000, bringing Utah’s total base salary for football coaches to $11,525,000 before any performance-based bonuses are paid out.
How does that number compare to the 2024 season, when Utah paid its assistant coaches the most in the Big 12 Conference?
According to Utah’s financial year 2025 report, football assistant coaches received a total of $9,025,939 in the 2024 season, a figure that includes bonuses and benefits paid by the university. USA Today reported that Utah’s assistant coaches earned a combined $8,275,000 in base salary in 2024.
Head coach Kyle Whittingham was set to make a $6,525,000 base salary in the 2024 season. Utah reported a total compensation of $8,032,313, including salary, bonuses and benefits paid by the university and third parties, such as apparel partner Under Armour and Utah multimedia rights holder JMI.
Though it’s not an apples to apples comparison due to bonuses and benefits being factored in for the 2024 season, it helps illustrate that the school will be paying less for its coaching staff this season than in the Whittingham era.
A big difference is in the salaries for offensive and defensive coordinators.
In 2024, Utah was paying longtime offensive and defensive coordinators Andy Ludwig and Scalley a combined $4,050,000. In 2026, offensive coordinator Kevin McGiven will make $1,100,000 and defensive coordinator Colton Swan will earn $850,000 — a savings of $2,100,000.
While the university handsomely pays its football coaches, the return on investment has been high.
Despite a losing season in 2024, Utah’s football program brought in $101,799,480 for the athletic department with $51,792,175 in total operating expenses. That $50,007,305 profit, along with $63.3 million in donations from boosters, helped Utah’s athletic department turn a profit in an era when doing so is rare.
Salary and contract details for Utah’s assistant coaches in 2026
Kevin McGiven, offensive coordinator
Years at Utah: First year
Salary: $1,100,000, increasing to $1,200,000 in 2027 and $1,300,000 in 2028
Contract length: Through Dec. 31, 2028
Colton Swan, defensive coordinator/linebackers
Years at Utah: 8
Salary: $850,000, increasing to $875,000 in 2027 and $900,000 in 2028
Contract length: Through Dec. 31, 2028
Sharrieff Shah, cornerbacks/special teams
Years at Utah: 15
Salary: $800,000
Contract length: Through Jan. 31, 2028
Jordan Gross, offensive line
Years at Utah: First year
Salary: $600,000
Contract length: Through Jan. 31, 2028
Luther Elliss, defensive tackles
Years at Utah: 5
Salary: $550,000
Contract length: Through Jan. 31, 2028
Inoke Breckterfield, defensive ends
Years at Utah: First year
Salary: $425,000
Contract length: Through Jan. 31, 2028
Mark Atuaia, running backs coach
Years at Utah: 2
Salary: $400,000
Contract length: Through Jan. 31, 2028
Derrick Odum, safeties
Years at Utah: First year
Salary: $400,000
Contract length: Through Jan. 31, 2028
Luke Wells, tight ends
Years at Utah: First year
Salary: $400,000
Contract length: Through Jan. 31, 2028
Joe D’Orazio, general manager
Years at Utah: First year
Salary: $350,000
Contract length: Through Jan. 31, 2027
Chad Bumphis, wide receivers
Years at Utah: 3 (2021-2022, 2026)
Salary: $300,000
Contract length: Through Jan. 31, 2028
Ryan Gunderson, quarterbacks
Years at Utah: First year
Salary: $250,000
Contract length: Through Jan. 31, 2027