Seems like a lot of the coaches that have been doing this a long time are not enjoying it anymore. Very good coach.

ESPN Article Utah coach retires

milner79 said:

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How does Otro Capital react to this?

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So far, so good. Utah has groomed Morgan Scalley to be the next coach.

No Michigan- or Lane Kiffin-level drama with the Utes.

Not sure how I would feel about handing over the reigns to the defensive coordinator who gave up 538 yards a game in the final quarter of the season, including giving up 8.3 yards per rushing play against KU/KSU on 90+ rushing attempts.

Agmaniacmike12 said:

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Not sure how I would feel about handing over the reigns to the defensive coordinator who gave up 538 yards a game in the final quarter of the season, including giving up 8.3 yards per rushing play against KU/KSU on 90+ rushing attempts.

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That's some Stephen A. Smith level statistical research right there amigo.

In the article, I didn't see them use the word retire. It said he was stepping down. Based on his age and length of service, I'm assuming that's his intent - to retire - but wondering if he's leaving it open to take a job somewhere else in a year or so.

Luke The Drifter said:

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My conspiracy theory: He's taking over at Michigan for 2-3 years. He's a highly respected coach who could help UM right the ship while the Wolverines search for a long-term coach. This late in the coaching carousel, there aren't many candidates available for UM to hire…so bring Witt in, pay him a bunch of money with little pressure attached, and position the program for the next era.

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Appears from multiple posts on X that Kenny Dillingham is taking the Michigan HC job. Wouldn't be shocked if Leavitt follows.

EKG1996 said:

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Seems like a lot of the coaches that have been doing this a long time are not enjoying it anymore. Very good coach.

ESPN Article Utah coach retires

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I don't think Bob Knight would have minded the players making a lot money as long as he could still choke them.

Urban Meyer (Utah) used to get a kick out of hazing his kicker in the NFL, which you have to assume carried over from being a **** to every nonessential player he "coached/led" in college.

The current paradigm has to be difficult for any college coach vs before. They have to treat the players as professionals who can be let go or leave on their own rather than suffer as verbally abused indentured servants with a non-compete clause.

Topic title is fake news.

Not retiring, just stepping down

Whittingham is not retiring, and could seek other coaching opportunities, a source tells @TheAthletic.

He went 177-88, with three conference championships, two Rose Bowls and an undefeated season in 2008.

— Stewart Mandel (@slmandel) December 12, 2025

Market valuations just took a nosedive.

That is actually the best plan for UM.
They need to fire their AD though.
They need to clean house.

BMX Bandit said:

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Topic title is fake news.

Not retiring, just stepping down

Whittingham is not retiring, and could seek other coaching opportunities, a source tells @TheAthletic.

He went 177-88, with three conference championships, two Rose Bowls and an undefeated season in 2008.

— Stewart Mandel (@slmandel) December 12, 2025

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He has a retirement package in his contract. For the next 5 years he will be special assistant to the AD for a Million a year. Not a bad "retirement" gig.

Quote:

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He has a retirement package in his contract. For the next 5 years he will be special assistant to the AD for a Million a year. Not a bad "retirement" gig.

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Which may be why he is not using the "r" word? If he is not officially retired then that clause would not apply and can sever all ties to the university cleanly.

Now, if this private equity deal makes him uncomfortable, continuing to be tied to the university may not be enough distance for his tastes? Just a WAG.

EKG1996 said:

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Seems like a lot of the coaches that have been doing this a long time are not enjoying it anymore. Very good coach.

ESPN Article Utah coach retires

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There are now only 6 head coaches out of the 68 power 4 conference programs that have been in their jobs 10 or more seasons. Seven more for 6 to 9 seasons. More than 80% of power 4 coaches have been at the job for 5 years or less.

NE PA Ag said:

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EKG1996 said:

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Seems like a lot of the coaches that have been doing this a long time are not enjoying it anymore. Very good coach.

ESPN Article Utah coach retires

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There are now only 6 head coaches out of the 68 power 4 conference programs that have been in their jobs 10 or more seasons. Seven more for 6 to 9 seasons. More than 80% of power 4 coaches have been at the job for 5 years or less.

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Sure, but he was saying it seemed like a lot of those six coaches are not enjoying it anymore.

Whittingham has a continuing employment with the U at approximately $1 million per year as an advisor to the athletic director. That doesn't mean that he has to stay there, but could if he chose to do so.

NEW: Kyle Whittingham on his future after stepping down at Utah:

“I’m a free agent, I’m in the transfer portal. Like I said, I’m at peace and I did not want to be that guy that overstayed his welcome with people just saying, ‘Hey, when’s this guy gonna leave?’ That was not my… pic.twitter.com/VhL9Do3q7w

— On3 (@On3sports) December 19, 2025

Not buying the "overstaying his welcome" bit. Unless someone has seen some report of Utah wanting to go in a different direction? They're going to struggle with this coaching search IMO

So, the Coach in Waiting is still waiting?

no one said utah wanted him out.

he is saying he wanted to leave before that happened.

sounds like he is just ready for something new

That dude needs to moisturize.

Maybe he's wanting to avoid a Gundy-esque departure. Seems strange for a guy who just won 10 games though. I'm not tuned in to Utah sports, but there is probably something else at play, relationship with AD or that PE deal they just signed

Luke The Drifter said:

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My conspiracy theory: He's taking over at Michigan for 2-3 years. He's a highly respected coach who could help UM right the ship while the Wolverines search for a long-term coach. This late in the coaching carousel, there aren't many candidates available for UM to hire…so bring Witt in, pay him a bunch of money with little pressure attached, and position the program for the next era.

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Go ahead and give me a gold star for this prediction the instant Whittingham resigned at Utah.

NEWS: Utah coach Kyle Whittingham has emerged as the focus of the University of Michigan’s coaching search, sources tell @DanWetzel and me. More here: https://t.co/YLyEu2J2cO

— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) December 26, 2025