Estimated read time: 3-4 minutes
SALT LAKE CITY — Soon after Utah lost to BYU in football three years ago, word got out that Kyle Whittingham had coached his last game between the two rivals.
Another retirement push came one year later when a prominent journalist on the West Coast printed Whittingham would be done if his Utah team reached the Rose Bowl, which it did to conclude the 2022 season. The latest prediction has him making one more run with quarterback Cam Rising, who is playing his final season — we think, anyway — after seven years in college.
Eventually, one of these rumors will come true. Much to the dismay of Utah fans, and to the delight of their BYU counterparts, Whittingham won't coach forever.
The best bet is, don't believe any speculation on his future unless it comes from the man himself. Fact is, in his own words, even Whittingham does not know when he will retire.
This much is true: The future is uncertain and the near is always near. Full credit for the aforementioned line, paying full homage to Whittingham's devotion to classic rock, goes Jim Morrison of The Doors.
Even if Whittingham, who turns age 65 in November, goes out after this season, don't expect any grand announcement.
The self-described introvert abhors the thought of subjecting himself to a spotlighting ceremonial goodbye tour before every road game — although some of us in the media would love to see him announce it before the 2025 season and then watch the pregame presentation at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo.
Once a decision is made, after discussing it with his wife of 40 years, he'll inform his bosses and the university will issue a press release. If Whittingham had his druthers, he'd clear out his office at the football facility and ride off into the sunset on his motorcycle.
Appropriately given his age, Whittingham has privately and publicly discussed his retirement but isn't in any rush. Defensive coordinator Morgan Scalley, whose contract calls for him to succeed Whittingham, may have to bide his time for another year or two.
Cognizant of the time coaching took him away from his children's activities years ago, Whittingham is determined to have an active part in the lives of his 10 grandchildren. Retirement will also allow him to devote more time to his passions of golf and skiing, as well as serving as an ambassador to the university.
But entering his 20th season as the head coach, and 31st overall at Utah, Whittingham remains typically fired up two weeks before another laborious training camp opens. Go-time for the coaching staff starts soon after he returns from his island vacation.
Changing conferences from the Pac-12 to the Big 12 has rejuvenated him to a degree. As the preseason conference favorite, the Utes also have a good chance at making the 12-team national playoff that starts this season.
"I'm as excited and enthused about the season as I've ever been," Whittingham said during Big 12 media days last week in Las Vegas.
"A lot of that is the excitement about going into a new conference with a new challenge, a new opportunity, but it's just going to be day-by-day process, and I'm not getting any younger, but at the same time, I feel like I've got a lot of energy right now."
In a repetitive sad saga, the final years of legends often turn sour as recruiting goes south given the potential flux of the coaching staff. Establishing Scalley as the next coach should help mitigate the negative recruiting that older head coaches are forced to overcome.
With the craziness of the transfer portal, administrators are forced to act fast to preserve rosters. Naming Scalley eliminates much of the uncertainty.
"Excited for him; most excited for the university of Utah," athletic director Mark Harlan said. "I think in this day and time, to have a guy like that who is ready when the time comes is a blessing."
