Utah HC Whittingham reveals hard truth about 2024 season

Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham speaks with the media during 2025 Big 12 Football Media Days at The Star. Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images

Utah HC Kyle Whittingham reveals hard truth about 2024 season

By Andrew Kulha | Last updated Jul 9, 2025 10:30 PM ET

Kyle Whittingham has been the head coach of the Utah Utes since the 2005 Fiesta Bowl, when he was the co-head coach alongside the departing Urban Meyer.

His only college head coaching gig has been at Utah, and he's been incredible for the Utes. In 21 seasons, he's gone 167-86 with an 11-6 record in bowl games. His record in the Pac-12 was 65-48, leading the Utes to two conference championships.

At 65, and having accomplished much at Utah, it would make sense for Whittingham to ultimately step away from the position he's held for two decades.

He's considered it, too, but there was something about the 2024 season that just didn't sit right with the long-time head coach.

Mainly, it was that disappointing 5-7 record in Utah's first season as a Big 12 program.

"I couldn’t step away on that note. It was too frustrating and too disappointing," Whittingham said at Big 12 media days, according to Pete Thamel.

Utah's Kyle Whittingham on his decision to return this season. "I couldn’t step away on that note. It was too frustrating and too disappointing." He added: "Had we won the championship last year, I might not be sitting here."
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) July 9, 2025

Whittingham has a ton of pride in what he's built at Utah, and to see the Utes join the Big 12 and immediately falter must have been rough.
He'll get another shot at it in 2025 and the Utes will be interesting, especially at quarterback. Devon Dampier transferred in from New Mexico and he's bringing a ton of juice with him as a dual-threat quarterback.

Dampier threw for 2768 yards and 12 touchdowns with 12 interceptions last season, but he rushed 155 times for 1,166 yards and 19 scores on the ground.

If Dampier lives up to the hype, Whittingham should once again have a contender at Utah.

Andrew Kulha

Andrew Kulha is probably the only sports writer you know who also doubles as a mortician. Spooky! @KulhaSports

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