Kyle Whittingham
{{Short description|American football player and coach (born 1959)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox college coach
| name = Kyle Whittingham
| image = Whittingham at practice.jpg
| alt =
| caption = Whittingham in 2010
| current_title = Head coach
| current_team = Utah Utes
| current_conference = Big 12
| current_record = 167–86
| contract = $6.5 million{{cite web|title=Utah Football Head Coaches' Salaries|url=https://sportsdata.usatoday.com/ncaa/salaries/football/coach/team/3499|website=sportsdata.usatoday.com|access-date=January 1, 2025}}{{cite web|title=How does Kyle Whittingham's contract stack up in the Big 12?|url=https://www.deseret.com/sports/2024/07/17/big-12-football-coaches-salaries-kyle-whittingham-utah/|website=deseret.com|date=July 17, 2024|access-date=January 1, 2025}}{{cite web|title=Utah hits rock bottom in Whittingham's tenure, bringing out calls for retirement|url=https://www.si.com/college/utah/football/utah-hits-rock-bottom-in-whittingham-s-tenure-bringing-out-calls-for-retirement|website=SI.com|date=October 28, 2024|access-date=January 1, 2025}}
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1959|11|21|mf=y}}
| birth_place = San Luis Obispo, California, U.S.
| alma_mater = Brigham Young University
| player_years1 = 1978–1981
| player_team1 = BYU
| player_years2 = 1982
| player_team2 = Denver Broncos{{efn|Offseason and/or practice squad member only.}}
| player_years3 = 1983
| player_team3 = Denver Gold
| player_years4 = 1984
| player_team4 = New Orleans Breakers
| player_years5 = 1987
| player_team5 = Los Angeles Rams
| player_positions = Linebacker
| coach_years1 = 1985–1986
| coach_years2 = 1987
| coach_team2 = Eastern Utah (DC)
| coach_years3 = 1988–1991
| coach_team3 = Idaho State (STC/LB)
| coach_years4 = 1992–1993
| coach_team4 = Idaho State (DC)
| coach_years5 = 1994
| coach_team5 = Utah (DL)
| coach_years6 = 1995–1996
| coach_team6 = Utah (DC/S)
| coach_years7 = 1997
| coach_team7 = Utah (DC/LB)
| coach_years8 = 1998–2000
| coach_team8 = Utah (DC/S)
| coach_years9 = 2001–2004
| coach_team9 = Utah (DC/LB)
| coach_years10 = 2005–present
| coach_team10 = Utah
| overall_record = 167–86
| bowl_record = 11–6
| tournament_record =
| championships =
- National (2008){{efn|Selected by Anderson & Hester, but the school does not claim this championship.}}
- 2× Pac-12 Conference (2021, 2022)
- Mountain West Conference (2008)
- 4× Pac-12 South Division (2015, 2018–2019, 2021)
| awards =
; As a coach
- AFCA Coach of the Year (2008)
- Paul "Bear" Bryant Award (2008)
- Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year (2019)
- 2× Pac-12 Coach of the Year (2019, 2021)
- MW Coach of the Year (2008)
; As a player
- WAC Defensive Player of the Year (1981)
| coaching_records =
- Most wins for Utah: 167
}}
Kyle David Whittingham (born November 21, 1959) is an American college football coach and former player. He currently serves as the head football coach at the University of Utah, a position he has held since 2005, and he is the all-time leader in wins for the Utah Utes. Prior to becoming the head coach at Utah, Whittingham served as Utes defensive coordinator for ten seasons. He won AFCA Coach of the Year and the Paul "Bear" Bryant Award in 2008 after leading the 2008 Utah Utes football team to an undefeated season and a win in the 2009 Sugar Bowl over the 2008 Alabama Crimson Tide football team. He and Oklahoma State's Mike Gundy are the second longest tenured FBS coaches (with one school), trailing only Kirk Ferentz.
Playing career
A graduate of Provo High School, Whittingham was all-state at linebacker and fullback and earned two letters in baseball for the Bulldogs. He remained in Provo and played college football for the BYU Cougars from 1978 through 1981, where his father Fred was the linebacker coach, later defensive coordinator, under longtime head coach LaVell Edwards.{{cite web|url=https://byucougars.com/sports/football/roster/season/1981/player/kyle-whittingham |publisher=BYU Athletics |title=#59 Kyle Whittingham |access-date=September 23, 2023}} In his senior season in 1981, he was the WAC Defensive Player of the Year,{{Cite web |title=Player Bio: Kyle Whittingham |url=http://utahutes.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/whittingham_kyle00.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090817152649/http://utahutes.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/whittingham_kyle00.html |archive-date=August 17, 2009 |access-date=July 1, 2009 |website=University of Utah}} and the defensive MVP of the Holiday Bowl. Whittingham played in the first four Holiday Bowls; he was a running back as a freshman in the inaugural and a linebacker in the next three, during which he recorded 27 tackles. In 2009, he was inducted into the Holiday Bowl Hall of Fame.{{Cite web |date=May 12, 2009 |title=Pacific Life Holiday Bowl Adds Three to Bowl Hall of Fame |url=http://www.holidaybowl.com/2009/pacific-life-holiday-bowl-adds-three-to-bowl-hall-of-fame.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120223010751/http://www.holidaybowl.com/2009/pacific-life-holiday-bowl-adds-three-to-bowl-hall-of-fame.html |archive-date=February 23, 2012 |access-date=March 27, 2010 |website=Holiday Bowl}}
Whittingham graduated from BYU in 1981 and went on to play linebacker for the Denver Gold and New Orleans Breakers of the USFL and the Calgary Stampeders of the CFL. He also played for the Los Angeles Rams' replacement squad in 1987.
Coaching career
=Early coaching career=
Whittingham became a graduate assistant for BYU during the 1985 and 1986 seasons. In 1987, Whittingham was named defensive coordinator at the College of Eastern Utah. He coached there for a season before taking a job at Idaho State. After five seasons with Idaho State, Whittingham joined the Utah staff as defensive line coach, working alongside his father, Fred Whittingham. In the 1995 season, Whittingham replaced his father as the defensive coordinator, who had been hired as the linebackers coach for the Oakland Raiders. Whittingham remained the defensive coordinator for ten years, serving under both Ron McBride and Meyer, until being named head coach in 2004.
=Head coaching career=
The 2004 season ended with Utah becoming the first BCS non-AQ conference team to make a BCS bowl game, the Fiesta Bowl. After winning the Fiesta Bowl, the Utes' overall record improved to 12–0 under the leadership of junior starting quarterback Alex Smith (in his final season before declaring for the NFL draft) and head coach Urban Meyer, who announced his departure to the University of Florida in December 2004. After the regular season, and before the Fiesta Bowl, Whittingham was offered the head coaching job at Utah and also the head coaching job at his alma mater, Brigham Young University. After struggling with the decision for four days he chose the Utes.{{Cite web |last=Robinson |first=Doug |date=February 15, 2009 |title=Kyle Whittingham: In Control |url=http://www.deseretnews.com/article/0,5143,705285279,00.html?pg=1 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091109194946/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/0,5143,705285279,00.html?pg=1 |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 9, 2009 |access-date=July 1, 2009 |website=Deseret News}} Because Urban Meyer had already officially accepted the head coaching job at Florida before the Fiesta Bowl, Whittingham and Meyer acted as co-head coaches of the 2005 Fiesta Bowl. Utah and the NCAA credit the Fiesta Bowl to both Meyer and Whittingham.
==2005==
{{See also|2005 Utah Utes football team}}
Whittingham's first season was an up and down ride for Utah as the team not only adjusted to a new coaching staff, including Andy Ludwig, but also a new offense led by quarterback Brian Johnson. Utah struggled early on, going 3–4 in their first 7 games, however, a strong finish gave Utah their third straight bowl invite.
In the 2005 Emerald Bowl the Utes faced the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. Utah beat Georgia Tech 38–10, the Yellow Jackets' worst bowl loss by point margin in school history. Whittingham finished his first year at Utah with a 7–5 record.{{Cite web |title=2005 Utah Utes Schedule and Results |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/utah/2005-schedule.html |access-date=August 30, 2023 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}}
==2006==
{{See also|2006 Utah Utes football team}}
In 2006, Whittingham's team faced a degree of adversity. Starting quarterback Brett Ratliff struggled through parts of the year, and so did the Utes. Like the year before, the Utes rebounded toward the end of the season, but lost to rival BYU at home by a score of 33–31. The Utes became bowl eligible for the fourth straight year, a school record. Whittingham led the Utes to a 25–13 victory over the University of Tulsa in the 2006 Armed Forces Bowl, running his record to 15–10 (.600) with Utah.{{Cite web |title=2006 Utah Utes Schedule and Results |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/utah/2006-schedule.html |access-date=August 30, 2023 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}}
==2007==
{{See also|2007 Utah Utes football team}}
2007 would provide more adversity. In Johnson's first start since 2005, he broke his collarbone against Oregon State and starting running back Matt Asiata broke his leg as Utah got routed 24–7 by the Beavers. The following week, wide receiver Brent Casteel was lost for the season in an embarrassing 20–12 loss at home to Air Force.
Utah looked as if it righted the ship the following week with a 44–6 rout of No. 9 UCLA, the highest-ranked team ever defeated by the Utes. But the following week represented the worst week of Whittingham's head coaching career—a 27–0 loss to perennial cellar-dweller UNLV that had many wondering if Whittingham could survive as a head coach at Utah.
But like past seasons, the Utes regrouped and won seven consecutive games, using a stingy, big-play defense and the sledgehammer running attack of Darrell Mack (253 carries, 1,204 yards and 16 total touchdowns), who had been scheduled to redshirt in what was going to be his junior season. The Utes 50–0 drubbing of Wyoming proved controversial. Up 43–0 in the second half, Whittingham decided to go for an onside kick. An emotional Joe Glenn was caught on camera giving Whittingham the bird after the play. In the season finale, Utah suffered its second consecutive loss to rival BYU to end the regular season, 17–10.{{Cite web |title=2007 Utah Utes Schedule and Results |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/utah/2007-schedule.html |access-date=August 30, 2023 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}}
Whittingham and Utah overcame that disappointment to beat Navy, 35–32, in the 2007 Poinsettia Bowl. It marked the Utes' seventh consecutive bowl victory, which placed them second to Boston College in longest active bowl winning streaks.
==2008==
{{See also|2008 Utah Utes football team|College football national championships in NCAA Division I FBS}}
In 2008, Utah completed an undefeated regular season and qualified for the 2009 Sugar Bowl. Along the way were wins at Michigan, late come-from-behind wins over Oregon State and TCU, and a convincing victory over rival BYU. Overall, Utah finished the regular season holding wins over three teams in the final AP Top 25.{{Cite web |title=2008 Utah Utes Schedule and Results |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/utah/2008-schedule.html |access-date=August 30, 2023 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}}
Utah defeated Alabama, 31–17, in the Sugar Bowl,{{Cite web |date=January 3, 2009 |title=Utah secures perfect season with Sugar Bowl win over Alabama |url=http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=290020333 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120731114822/http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=290020333 |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 31, 2012 |access-date=July 7, 2009 |website=ESPN.com}} completing the fifth undefeated and untied season in school history.
The American Football Coaches Association selected Whittingham as the 2008 AFCA National Coach of the Year Award. The announcement was made at the football coaches' convention, which Whittingham attended. The AFCA award is the oldest national coach of the year award, dating back to 1935, and is the only one chosen exclusively by the coaches.
He also won the 2008 Paul "Bear" Bryant Award.{{Cite web |date=January 16, 2009|agency=Associated Press |title=Whittingham wins Bryant Award |url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/news/story?id=3837017 |access-date=June 15, 2009 |website=ESPN.com}}
The team was selected national champion by Anderson & Hester,{{cite web |title=2019 Record Book |url=http://fs.ncaa.org/Docs/stats/football_records/2019/FBS.pdf |publisher=NCAA.org |access-date=May 9, 2020 |pages=110, 117 }} MCFR, and W postseason polls.
==2009==
{{See also|2009 Utah Utes football team}}
In 2009, Utah had its second consecutive 10-win season. They finished with a 10–3 (6–2 MWC) record and a 37–27 win over California in the 2009 Poinsettia Bowl.{{Cite web |title=2009 Utah Utes Schedule and Results |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/utah/2009-schedule.html |access-date=August 30, 2023 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}} Whittingham helped the Utes reach these benchmarks with two new coordinators: Dave Schramm as the offensive coordinator and Kalani Sitake as the defensive coordinator. Utah's three losses came against teams that finished the season ranked: Oregon, TCU, and BYU who finished the season ranked No. 11, 6, and 12 in the AP Poll, respectively. Utah finished ranked No. 18 in both the AP Poll and the Coaches' Poll.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/college-football/rankings/_/week/1/seasontype/3|title=2009 NCAA Football Rankings – Postseason|work=ESPN.com|access-date=February 13, 2010}}
==2010==
{{See also|2010 Utah Utes football team}}
Whittingham turned down the head coaching position at Tennessee early in 2010.{{Cite web |last=Facer |first=Dirk |date=January 16, 2010 |title=Utah Utes football: Whittingham declines to Volunteer |url=https://www.deseret.com/2010/1/16/20364868/utah-utes-football-whittingham-declines-to-volunteer |access-date=January 25, 2010 |website=Deseret News}}
Utah started the 2010 season with an upset of then-15th ranked Pittsburgh.{{Cite web |title=Pitt at Utah Box Score, September 2, 2010 |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/boxscores/2010-09-02-utah.html |access-date=August 30, 2023 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}} The Utes then managed the third 8–0 start in program history, rising to fifth in the BCS rankings. However, during a 68–27 victory over Iowa State, Utah quarterback Jordan Wynn injured his arm and though he continued to play, the injury impacted the remainder of the season. After that 8–0 start, the Utes stumbled badly at home against the TCU Horned Frogs, lost a sloppy contest to Notre Dame and then bounced back to end the regular season with victories over San Diego State and rival Brigham Young University.
Due to the injury, Wynn, who finished the regular season in spite of his injury, missed the Las Vegas Bowl – a 26–3 loss to the Boise State Broncos.{{Cite web |title=Maaco Bowl - Utah vs Boise State Box Score, December 22, 2010 |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/boxscores/2010-12-22-boise-state.html |access-date=August 30, 2023 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}} It was the program's first bowl loss since the 1996 Copper Bowl and snapped a 9-game bowl winning streak, which was, at the time, the longest active streak in college football.{{Cite web |title=Utah Utes Bowls |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/utah/ |access-date=August 30, 2023 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}}
The Utes finished the 2010 campaign with a 10–3 record.{{Cite web |title=2010 Utah Utes Schedule and Results |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/utah/2010-schedule.html |access-date=August 3, 2023 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}} It marked the first time in program history that Utah produced three consecutive ten-win seasons.{{Cite web |title=Utah Utes College Football History, Stats, Records |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/utah/index.html |access-date=August 3, 2023 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}}
==2011==
{{See also|2011 Utah Utes football team}}
In its inaugural season in the Pac-12 Conference, Utah finished with an 7–5 regular season record (4–5 in the Pac-12).{{Cite web |title=2011 Utah Utes Schedule and Results |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/utah/2011-schedule.html |access-date=August 3, 2023 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=2011 Pac-12 Conference Year Summary |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfbconferences/pac-12/2011.html |access-date=August 3, 2023 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}} The Utes defeated Georgia Tech in the Sun Bowl by a score of 30–27 to end the season.{{Cite web |title=Sun Bowl - Utah vs Georgia Tech Box Score, December 31, 2011 |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/boxscores/2011-12-31-georgia-tech.html |access-date=August 30, 2023 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}}
==2012==
The Utes went 5–7 in the 2012 season, highlighted with a ranked victory over BYU on September 15.{{Cite web |title=2012 Utah Utes Schedule and Results |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/utah/2012-schedule.html |access-date=August 30, 2023 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=BYU at Utah Box Score, September 15, 2012 |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/boxscores/2012-09-15-utah.html |access-date=August 30, 2023 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}}
==2013==
Whittingham led Utah to a 4–2 start before a five-game losing streak.{{Cite web |title=2013 Utah Utes Schedule and Results |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/utah/2013-schedule.html |access-date=August 30, 2023 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}} The 2013 season ended with a high note with a 24–17 victory over Colorado to go 5–7.{{Cite web |title=Colorado at Utah Box Score, November 30, 2013 |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/boxscores/2013-11-30-utah.html |access-date=August 30, 2023 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}}
==2014==
Whittingham led the Utes to a 8–4 regular season mark in the 2014 season.{{Cite web |title=2014 Utah Utes Schedule and Results |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/utah/2014-schedule.html |access-date=August 30, 2023 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}} The season was highlighted by ranked victories over UCLA and USC.{{Cite web |last=Schnell |first=Lindsay |date=October 5, 2014 |title=Utah upsets UCLA 30-28 to further muddle Pac-12 picture |url=https://www.si.com/college/2014/10/05/utah-utes-ucla-bruins-pac-12 |access-date=August 30, 2023 |website=Sports Illustrated |language=en-us}}{{Cite web |date=October 26, 2014|agency=Associated Press |title=Wilson lifts No. 19 Utah past No. 21 USC, 24-21 |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/2014/10/26/wilson-lifts-no-19-utah-past-no-20-usc-24-21/17951285/ |access-date=August 30, 2023 |website=USA TODAY |language=en-US}} The Utes defeated the Colorado State Rams 45–10 in the Las Vegas Bowl to end the season.{{Cite web |title=Las Vegas Bowl - Utah vs Colorado State Box Score, December 20, 2014 |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/boxscores/2014-12-20-colorado-state.html |access-date=August 30, 2023 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}}
==2015==
Whittingham led the Utes to a 6–0 start and a #3 ranking in the AP Poll before dropping a 42–24 result to USC.{{Cite web |title=2015 Utah Utes Schedule and Results |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/utah/2015-schedule.html |access-date=August 30, 2023 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Estes |first=Ben |date=October 25, 2015 |title=Instant Analysis of USC's big upset of No. 3 Utah |url=https://www.si.com/college/2015/10/25/usc-trojans-beat-utah-utes |access-date=August 30, 2023 |website=Sports Illustrated |language=en-us}} The Utes finished the regular season with a 9–3 record.{{Cite web |title=2015 Utah Utes Stats |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/utah/2015.html |access-date=August 30, 2023 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}} The team qualified for the Las Vegas Bowl, which ended up being a 35–28 victory over BYU.{{Cite web |title=Las Vegas Bowl - BYU vs Utah Box Score, December 19, 2015 |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/boxscores/2015-12-19-utah.html |access-date=August 30, 2023 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}}
==2016==
On January 29, 2016, The University of Utah announced Whittingham had agreed to a contract extension through the 2020 season. The contract will pay Whittingham $3.3 million per year.{{Cite web |date=January 29, 2016 |title=New Contract for Utah Football Coach Kyle Whittingham |url=https://utahutes.com/story.aspx?filename=ew_ontract_for_tah_ootball_oach_yle_hittingham&file_date=1-29-2016 |access-date=August 3, 2023 |website=University of Utah Athletics |language=en}} This came on the heels of Whittingham surging past McBride to become the second-winningest coach in school history, behind only Ike Armstrong.
Whittingham led the Utes to a 8–4 mark in the regular season, which qualified them to the Foster Farms Bowl.{{Cite web |title=2016 Utah Utes Schedule and Results |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/utah/2016-schedule.html |access-date=August 28, 2023 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}} In the Foster Farms Bowl against Indiana, the Utes won 26–24.{{Cite web |title=Foster Farms Bowl - Indiana vs Utah Box Score, December 28, 2016 |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/boxscores/2016-12-28-utah.html |access-date=August 28, 2023 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}}
==2017==
The Utes went 6–6 in the 2017 regular season.{{Cite web |title=2017 Utah Utes Schedule and Results |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/utah/2017-schedule.html |access-date=August 28, 2023 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}} The team qualified for the Heart of Dallas Bowl, a 30–14 victory over West Virginia.{{Cite web |title=Heart of Dallas Bowl - Utah vs West Virginia Box Score, December 26, 2017 |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/boxscores/2017-12-26-west-virginia.html |access-date=August 28, 2023 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}}
==2018==
The Utes finished with a 9–3 regular season mark, which qualified them for the Pac-12 Championship Game.{{Cite web |title=2018 Utah Utes Schedule and Results |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/utah/2018-schedule.html |access-date=August 28, 2023 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}}
==2019==
Whittingham and the Utes opened up the 2019 season with a #14 ranking in the AP Poll.{{Cite web |last=McDonald |first=Ryan |date=August 19, 2019 |title=Utah Utes ranked No. 14 in preseason AP Top 25 poll, Utah State Aggies receive votes |url=https://www.deseret.com/sports/2019/8/19/20812272/utah-utes-ranked-no-14-in-preseason-ap-top-25-poll-utah-state-aggies-receive-votes |access-date=August 28, 2023 |website=Deseret News |language=en}} The Utes started 3–0 before a 30–23 loss to USC.{{Cite web |title=Utah at USC Box Score, September 20, 2019 |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/boxscores/2019-09-20-southern-california.html |access-date=August 28, 2023 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}} The Utes reeled off an eight-game winning streak to qualify for the Pac-12 Championship Game, an eventual 37–15 loss to Oregon.{{Cite web |title=2019 Utah Utes Schedule and Results |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/utah/2019-schedule.html |access-date=August 28, 2023 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Utah vs Oregon Box Score, December 6, 2019 |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/boxscores/2019-12-06-oregon.html |access-date=August 28, 2023 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}} The Utes qualified for the Alamo Bowl, which ended up being a 38–10 loss to Texas.{{Cite web |title=Alamo Bowl - Utah vs Texas Box Score, December 31, 2019 |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/boxscores/2019-12-31-texas.html |access-date=August 28, 2023 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}}
==2020==
Whittingham's contract at Utah was renewed through 2027 at around $5 million per year.{{Cite web |date=November 4, 2020 |title=Utah Athletics Announces Contract Extension for Kyle Whittingham |url=https://utahutes.com/news/2020/11/4/football-utah-athletics-announces-contract-extension-for-kyle-whittingham.aspx |access-date=August 3, 2023 |website=Utah Utes Athletics}}{{Cite web |last=Ireland |first=Kyle |date=October 15, 2020 |title=Report: Utah's Whittingham Takes Second Largest Pay Cut Among FBS Head Coaches Amid Pandemic |url=https://kslsports.com/443899/report-utahs-whittingham-takes-second-largest-pay-cut-among-fbs-head-coaches-amid-pandemic/ |access-date=August 3, 2023 |website=KSL Sports}} The Utes' 2020 season was shortened because of the COVID-19 pandemic.{{Cite web |date=September 24, 2020 |title=Pac-12 announces resumption of football, basketball & winter sports seasons |url=https://pac-12.com/news/2020/9/24/pac-12-announcement.aspx |access-date=August 28, 2023 |website=Pac-12.com |language=en}} They only played five games on the season, finishing with a 3–2 mark.{{Cite web |title=2020 Utah Utes Schedule and Results |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/utah/2020-schedule.html |access-date=August 28, 2023 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}}
==2021==
The Utes started off the 2021 season with a 4–3 start before reeling off a five game-winning streak to close out the regular season.{{Cite web |title=2021 Utah Utes Schedule and Results |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/utah/2021-schedule.html |access-date=August 28, 2023 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}} In that stretch was a 38–7 victory over third-ranked Oregon,{{Cite web |last=Smalley |first=Don |date=November 21, 2021 |title=Everything we know following No. 3 Oregon's 38-7 loss to No. 23 Utah |url=https://duckswire.usatoday.com/lists/everything-we-know-following-no-3-oregons-38-7-loss-to-no-23-utah/ |access-date=August 3, 2023 |website=Ducks Wire |language=en-US}} where Whittingham became the winningest coach in University of Utah football program history with 142 victories.{{Cite web |last=Cooper |first=Sam |date=November 21, 2021 |title=No. 3 Oregon sees College Football Playoff hopes dashed with 38-7 loss to Utah |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/no-3-oregon-sees-college-football-playoff-hopes-dashed-with-38-7-loss-to-utah-035453106.html |access-date=August 3, 2023 |website=Yahoo Sports |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=November 20, 2021 |title=#23 Utah Wins Pac-12 South Title With 38-7 Victory Over #3 Oregon |url=https://utahutes.com/news/2021/11/20/football-23-utah-wins-pac-12-south-title-with-38-7-victory-over-3-oregon.aspx |access-date=August 3, 2023 |website=University of Utah Athletics |language=en}} His total eclipsed that of coach Ike Armstrong, who amassed 141 wins from 1925 to 1949.{{Cite web |last=Call |first=Jeff |date=November 21, 2021 |title=How No. 23 Utah paddled No. 3 Oregon right out of College Football Playoff contention |url=https://www.deseret.com/2021/11/20/22790211/how-no-23-utah-paddled-no-3-oregon-right-out-of-college-football-playoff-contention |access-date=August 3, 2023 |website=Deseret News |language=en}} With their 9–3 record, Utah qualified for the Pac-12 Championship Game, a rematch against Oregon. In the game, Utah defeated Oregon 38–10.{{Cite web |title=Oregon vs Utah Box Score, December 3, 2021 |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/boxscores/2021-12-03-utah.html |access-date=August 28, 2023 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}} The Utes qualified for the Rose Bowl, where they lost 48–45 to Ohio State.{{Cite web |title=Rose Bowl - Utah vs Ohio State Box Score, January 1, 2022 |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/boxscores/2022-01-01-ohio-state.html |access-date=August 28, 2023 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}}
==2022==
Whittingham and the Utes started the 2022 season ranked #7 in the AP Poll for Utah's best ranking to start a season in school history.{{Cite web |last=Newman |first=Josh |date=August 15, 2022 |title=AP Top 25: Utah football debuts with its highest preseason ranking ever, BYU in at No. 25 |url=https://www.sltrib.com/sports/utah-utes/2022/08/15/ap-top-25-has-utah-football-no-7/ |access-date=August 28, 2023 |website=The Salt Lake Tribune |language=en-US}} However, the 2022 season started off with a 29–26 loss to the Florida Gators on the road to drop to #13.{{Cite web |last=Greene |first=Dana |date=September 4, 2022 |title=Utes lose heartbreaker to Florida, 29-26 |url=https://www.abc4.com/sports/utes-lose-heartbreaker-to-florida-29-26/ |access-date=August 28, 2023 |website=ABC4 Utah |language=en-US}} Utah recovered with a four-game winning streak before a 42–32 setback to UCLA on the road.{{Cite web |title=2022 Utah Utes Schedule and Results |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/utah/2022-schedule.html |access-date=August 28, 2023 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Coles |first=Joe |date=October 8, 2022 |title=Highlights, key plays and photos from No. 11 Utah’s 42-32 loss to No. 18 UCLA |url=https://www.deseret.com/2022/10/8/23393792/live-coverage-utah-football-vs-ucla |access-date=August 28, 2023 |website=Deseret News |language=en}} The Utes put together another four-game winning streak, highlighted by a 43–42 upset over #7 USC.{{Cite web |date=October 15, 2022 |title=Utah beats USC 43-42 in thriller: Live updates recap, game highlights from Pac-12 showdown in Salt Lake City |url=https://www.si.com/college/usc/football/usc-vs-utah-live-updates-highlights-from-pac-12-showdown-in-salt-lake-city |access-date=August 28, 2023 |website=Sports Illustrated |language=en}} The Utes split their final two games, a 20–17 loss to Oregon and a 63–21 victory over Colorado.{{Cite web |title=Utah at Oregon Box Score, November 19, 2022 |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/boxscores/2022-11-19-oregon.html |access-date=August 28, 2023 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Utah at Colorado Box Score, November 26, 2022 |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/boxscores/2022-11-26-colorado.html |access-date=August 28, 2023 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}} The team qualified for the Pac-12 Championship Game, a rematch against USC. The Utes defeated the Trojans 47–24 in the rematch.{{Cite web |last=Morrissette |first=Connor |date=December 3, 2022 |title=Column: USC's collapse against Utah in Pac-12 championship evokes mixed emotions |url=https://www.si.com/college/usc/football/column-uscs-47-24-pac-12-championship-game-defeat-to-utah-invokes-mixed-emotions |access-date=August 28, 2023 |website=Sports Illustrated |language=en}} The Utes qualified for the Rose Bowl against Penn State, where the Nittany Lions defeated the Utes 35–21.{{Cite web |title=Rose Bowl - Penn State vs Utah Box Score, January 2, 2023 |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/boxscores/2023-01-02-penn-state.html |access-date=August 28, 2023 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}}
==2023==
Whittingham led the Utes to a 8–4 regular season mark that culminated with a loss in the Las Vegas Bowl to Northwestern.{{Cite web |title=2023 Utah Utes Schedule and Results |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/utah/2023-schedule.html |access-date=2024-06-02 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Las Vegas Bowl - Utah vs Northwestern Box Score, December 23, 2023 |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/boxscores/2023-12-23-northwestern.html |access-date=2024-06-02 |website=Sports Reference |language=en}}
Personal life
Whittingham was born on November 21, 1959, in San Luis Obispo, California. His father, Fred Whittingham, played linebacker professionally for nine years and then coached at the college and the professional level for almost twenty years.{{Cite web |last=Robinson |first=Doug |date=February 16, 2009 |title=Whittinghams: Like father like son |url=https://www.deseret.com/2009/2/16/20302257/whittinghams-like-father-like-son |access-date=August 3, 2023 |website=Deseret News |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Allen |first=Trevor |date=May 20, 2020 |title=Kyle Whittingham: Everything We Teach At Utah Is A Direct Result Of What I learned From My Dad |url=https://kslsports.com/434550/kyle-whittingham-everything-we-teach-at-utah-is-a-direct-result-of-what-i-learned-from-my-dad/ |access-date=August 3, 2023 |website=KSL Sports}}
Whittingham graduated from BYU with a bachelor's degree in educational psychology in 1982. In 1983, he married the Jamie Daniels. Whittingham then earned a master's degree in professional leadership in 1986. Whittingham and his wife have four children. Whittingham is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.{{Cite web |date=December 25, 2008 |title=Whittingham's Ute movement |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/news/whittinghams-ute-movement-020900238--ncaaf.html |access-date=August 3, 2023 |website=Yahoo Sports |language=en-US}} Whittingham is an avid skier, tennis player, and golfer.
Philanthropy
In 2008, Whittingham and former Utah head coach Urban Meyer were the first people to donate money to the Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin Family Scholarship, an endowed scholarship which benefits the football program.{{Cite web |date=December 18, 2008 |title=U. Athletics Establishes Joseph B. Wirthlin Scholarship |url=http://utahutes.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/121808aaa.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090308055551/http://utahutes.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/121808aaa.html |archive-date=March 8, 2009 |access-date=July 7, 2009 |website=University of Utah}}{{Cite web |last=Benson |first=Lee |date=January 16, 2009 |title=About Utah: Elder Wirthlin's goodness now a legacy at U. |url=https://www.deseret.com/2009/1/16/20296659/about-utah-elder-wirthlin-s-goodness-now-a-legacy-at-u |access-date=August 3, 2023 |website=Deseret News |language=en}}
In 2020, after Ty-Coreous Jordan, Pac-12 Offensive Freshman of the year, was killed in a gun incident, Whittingham and his wife were the original donors to the Ty Jordan Memorial Fund with their donation of $100,000.{{Cite web |title=Ty Jordan Memorial Scholarship |url=https://crimsonclub.utah.edu/sports/2021/1/8/ty-jordan-memorial-scholarship.aspx |access-date=August 3, 2023 |website=Crimson Club |language=en}} The following year, Aaron Lowe, Ty Jordan's childhood friend who also played for the University of Utah, was murdered at a house party hours after Utah's win against Washington State.{{Cite web |last=Wells |first=Adam |date=October 3, 2021 |title=Man Arrested, Charged with Murder in Death of Utah Football Player Aaron Lowe |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10013890-man-arrested-charged-with-murder-in-death-of-utah-football-player-aaron-lowe |access-date=August 3, 2023 |website=Bleacher Report |language=en}} The Ty Jordan Memorial Fund was then renamed the 22 Forever Memorial Scholarship and Whittingham continues to make donations to that scholarship.{{Cite web |title=UGive |url=https://ugive.app.utah.edu/designation/3944 |access-date=August 3, 2023 |website=Utah.edu}}
Head coaching record
{{CFB Yearly Record Start | type = coach | team = | conf = | bowl = | poll = both }}
{{CFB Yearly Record Subhead
| name = Utah Utes
| conf = Mountain West Conference
| startyear = 2005
| endyear = 2010
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
| championship =
| year = 2004
| name = Utah
| overall = 1–0{{efn|Whittingham was co-head coach with Urban Meyer at the Fiesta Bowl. Utah credits the Fiesta Bowl to both Meyer and Whittingham.{{cite web |url=http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/coaching/alltime_coach_game_by_game.php?coachid=6755&year=2004 |title=Coaching Records Game by game Urban Meyer & Kyle Whittingham: 2004 |publisher=College Football Data Warehouse |access-date=October 1, 2010 |archive-date=October 19, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121019213431/http://www.cfbdatawarehouse.com/data/coaching/alltime_coach_game_by_game.php?coachid=6755&year=2004 |url-status=dead }}}}
| conference =
| confstanding =
| bowlname = Fiesta
| bowloutcome = W
| bcsbowl = yes
| ranking = 5
| ranking2 = 4
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
| championship =
| year = 2005
| name = Utah
| overall = 7–5
| conference = 4–4
| confstanding = T–4th
| bowlname = Emerald
| bowloutcome = W
| bcsbowl = no
| ranking =
| ranking2 =
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
| championship =
| year = 2006
| name = Utah
| overall = 8–5
| conference = 5–3
| confstanding = T–3rd
| bowlname = Armed Forces
| bowloutcome = W
| bcsbowl =
| ranking =
| ranking2 =
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
| championship =
| year = 2007
| name = Utah
| overall = 9–4
| conference = 5–3
| confstanding = T–3rd
| bowlname = Poinsettia
| bowloutcome = W
| bcsbowl =
| ranking =
| ranking2 =
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
| championship = conference
| year = 2008
| name = Utah
| overall = 13–0
| conference = 8–0
| confstanding = 1st
| bowlname = Sugar
| bowloutcome = W
| bcsbowl = yes
| ranking = 4
| ranking2 = 2
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
| championship =
| year = 2009
| name = Utah
| overall = 10–3
| conference = 6–2
| confstanding = 3rd
| bowlname = Poinsettia
| bowloutcome = W
| bcsbowl =
| ranking = 18
| ranking2 = 18
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
| championship =
| year = 2010
| name = Utah
| overall = 10–3
| conference = 7–1
| confstanding = 2nd
| bowlname = Las Vegas
| bowloutcome = L
| bcsbowl =
| ranking = 23
| ranking2 =
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Subhead
| name = Utah Utes
| conf = Pac-12 Conference
| startyear = 2011
| endyear = 2023
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
| championship =
| year = 2011
| name = Utah
| overall = 8–5
| conference = 4–5
| confstanding = T–3rd (South)
| bowlname = Sun
| bowloutcome = W
| bcsbowl =
| ranking =
| ranking2 =
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
| championship =
| year = 2012
| name = Utah
| overall = 5–7
| conference = 3–6
| confstanding = 5th (South)
| bowlname =
| bowloutcome =
| bcsbowl =
| ranking =
| ranking2 =
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
| championship =
| year = 2013
| name = Utah
| overall = 5–7
| conference = 2–7
| confstanding = 5th (South)
| bowlname =
| bowloutcome =
| bcsbowl =
| ranking =
| ranking2 =
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
| championship =
| year = 2014
| name = Utah
| overall = 9–4
| conference = 5–4
| confstanding = 5th (South)
| bowlname = Las Vegas
| bowloutcome = W
| bcsbowl =
| ranking = 20
| ranking2 = 21
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
| championship = division
| year = 2015
| name = Utah
| overall = 10–3
| conference = 6–3
| confstanding = T–1st (South)
| bowlname = Las Vegas
| bowloutcome = W
| bcsbowl =
| ranking = 16
| ranking2 = 17
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
| championship =
| year = 2016
| name = Utah
| overall = 9–4
| conference = 5–4
| confstanding = 3rd (South)
| bowlname = Foster Farms
| bowloutcome = W
| bcsbowl =
| ranking = 21
| ranking2 = 23
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
| championship =
| year = 2017
| name = Utah
| overall = 7–6
| conference = 3–6
| confstanding = 5th (South)
| bowlname = Heart of Dallas
| bowloutcome = W
| bcsbowl =
| ranking =
| ranking2 =
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
| championship = division
| year = 2018
| name = Utah
| overall = 9–5
| conference = 6–3
| confstanding = 1st (South)
| bowlname = Holiday
| bowloutcome = L
| bcsbowl =
| ranking =
| ranking2 =
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
| championship = division
| year = 2019
| name = Utah
| overall = 11–3
| conference = 8–1
| confstanding = 1st (South)
| bowlname = Alamo
| bowloutcome = L
| bcsbowl =
| ranking = 16
| ranking2 = 16
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
| championship =
| year = 2020
| name = Utah
| overall = 3–2
| conference = 3–2
| confstanding = 3rd (South)
| bowlname =
| bowloutcome =
| bcsbowl =
| ranking =
| ranking2 =
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
| championship = conference
| year = 2021
| name = Utah
| overall = 10–4
| conference = 8–1
| confstanding = 1st (South)
| bowlname = Rose
| bowloutcome = L
| bcsbowl = yes
| ranking = 12
| ranking2 = 12
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
| championship = conference
| year = 2022
| name = Utah
| overall = 10–4
| conference = 7–2
| confstanding = T–2nd
| bowlname = Rose
| bowloutcome = L
| bcsbowl = yes
| ranking = 11
| ranking2 = 10
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
| championship =
| year = 2023
| name = Utah
| overall = 8–5
| conference = 5–4
| confstanding = T–4th
| bowlname = Las Vegas
| bowloutcome = L
| bcsbowl =
| ranking =
| ranking2 =
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Subhead
| name = Utah Utes
| conf = Big 12 Conference
| startyear = 2024
| endyear =
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Entry
| championship =
| year = 2024
| name = Utah
| overall = 5–7
| conference = 2–7
| confstanding = T–13th
| bowlname =
| bowloutcome =
| bcsbowl =
| ranking =
| ranking2 =
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record Subtotal
| name = Utah
| overall = 167–86
| confrecord = 102–67
}}
{{CFB Yearly Record End
| overall = 167–86
| yearstart = 2004
| yearend =
| poll = two
}}
{{notelist}}
References
{{Reflist|30em}}
External links
{{Commons category}}
- [https://utahutes.com/sports/football/roster/coaches/kyle-whittingham/4056 Utah profile]
- [https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/coaches/kyle-whittingham-1.html Coaching statistics] at Sports Reference
{{Big 12 Conference football coach navbox}}
{{Navboxes
|list =
{{AFCA Coach of the Year}}
{{Bobby Dodd Award}}
{{Bear Bryant Award}}
{{Pac-12 Coach of the Year}}
{{Utah Utes football coach navbox}}
}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Whittingham, Kyle}}
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