Whittingham is a coach fans should know
LASVEGAS—Utah’sKyle Whittingham doesn’t care what conversation he’s involved in when it comes to the chatter of today’s top college footballcoaches.
But after his Utes dismantled College Football Playoffhopeful Southern California 47-24 Friday night in the Pac12 championship game, it may be time to place his name alongside those considered today’sgreats.
“I don’t know why it’s not. Like, back-to-back Pac-12 championships, come on now, he’s been here too long for people not to be talking about him,” Utah running back Ja’Quinden Jackson said. “One of the best coaches that I’ve been around. It’s time.”
Utah, which was playing in its fourth Pac-12 championship over the past five seasons, is bowl eligible for the 14th time under Whittingham, the longest-tenured coachin the Pac-12 and second longestin the FBS.
“It’s an anomaly to be at a school as long as I have, that justdoesn’t happen in this day and age,” Whittingham said. “I’m very grateful and blessed to have been at the University of Utah for as long as I have ... close to 30 years as an assistant coach and head coach. Most coaches in that timeframe have been at 10 or 12 different places, so I feel very fortunate.”
Whittinghamsaid his focus has never been on him, but moreso on keeping his job.
The only way to do so, he added,is by winning.
The Utes have finished
with a winning season in 16 of Whittingham’s 18 years as head coach, and have nine consecutive years of winning seasonssince 2014.
“It’s all about relationships and building those relationships with the players and your coaching staff, and even coaches from other teams,”
said Whittingham, who is 15473 since taking over the program. “Again, if you don’t win enough you won’t be around long enough to build relationships. I’ve been fortunate in that regard. And I have no really no opinion on should I be inwhatever conversation.”
Nevertheless, while the
Utes were going to the Rose Bowlwhether or not they won or lost Friday, it was their second win against the favored Trojans this season, a victory that sweetened the pot for Utah before heading to Pasadena.
As they did in the regular season matchup, in which it fell behind by 14 points, Utah shook off a 17-3 deficit and outscored the Trojans 44-7 en route to victory and its second consecutiveconference title.
And with the Utes up by 10, and the Trojans driving, senior R.J. Hubert intercepted Caleb Williams’ pass to send a good portion of the announced sellout crowd of 61,195into a frenzy.
Moments later, Jackson raced 53 yards for a touchdown to put the game out of reach, reigniting the crowd and further cementing