SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, July 1, 2024 (Gephardt Daily) — The University of Utah already has its next head football coach in place whenever Kyle Whittingham decides he’s ready to retire or move on.
Defensive coordinator and former Utah All-American safety Morgan Scalley has been designated as the Utes’ “head coach in waiting,” Utah Director of Athletics Mark Harlan announced Monday.
The designation as Whittingham’s eventual successor was included in the contract extension Scalley signed on Nov. 23, 2023.
“Coach Whittingham has built Utah football into one of the nation’s elite programs through a strong culture, tradition and exceptional student-athletes,” Harlan said, “and he has been clear about his intentions of continuing to lead this incredible Utah football program as we move into the Big 12 Conference and into the new expanded College Football Playoff. However, we must plan for the future, and coach Whittingham and I both strongly believe that that future lies with Morgan Scalley.”
Scalley is entering his 17th season as an assistant under Whittingham and his ninth season as the Utes’ defensive coordinator. The Salt Lake City native has been coaching Utah’s safeties since joining the staff full-time in 2008.
Scalley, who began his coaching career as an administrative assistant with the Utes in 2006, was Utah’s recruiting coordinator from 2009-15 and special teams coordinator in 2015.
“Morgan has played a critical role in our success through his embodiment of our core values and his leadership, and I have witnessed first hand his growth as a coach and as a person over the last several years,” Harlan said. “He is an elite coach who has been trained by the best — coach Whittingham — and whenever it is time for Morgan to take the helm, I have no doubt that our program will continue to have success.”
Whittingham is entering his 20th season as Utah’s head coach and ranks as the winningest coach in the program’s history. Despite Monday’s announcement, he has not announced any retirement plans.
“Morgan Scalley is an exceptional football coach, and his naming as the head coach in waiting at the University of Utah is a testament to that,” Whittingham said. “It is a distinction he has earned not only because of his outstanding coaching abilities, but also because of his selfless dedication to the program as well as to the Utah Athletics family.
“The culture and tradition within Utah football is a point of pride for our staff, and when the time comes for a transition in the leadership of our program, we know that Morgan will carry on those traditions the Utah football way.”
Utah’s defense has thrived under Scalley, finishing in the top half of the Pac-12 Conference in total defense seven times, including 2019 when the Utes led the conference and ranked second nationally.
The Utes were the Pac-12’s top rushing defense five times in the past eight years under Scalley, and ranked in the top five nationally in 2019 and 2023.
Utah finished atop the Pac-12 in sacks and tackles for loss three times under Scalley, most recently in back-to-back seasons in 2021 and 2022. The Utes also led the conference in sacks and ranked 11th nationally in 2018.
“Utah football and Utah Athletics have always been home to me and my family, and I am honored to receive this distinction,” Scalley said. “I want to thank President [Taylor] Randall, coach Whittingham and Mark Harlan for the trust they have shown in me, and I remain committed to my continued growth as a coach and person, and as a member of the amazing University of Utah community.
“Our staff is excited to start a new era of Utah football in the Big 12 this fall under coach Whittingham and to continue the traditions that have become a part of our proud history.”
During his time at Utah, Scalley has coached 13 All-Americans (four consensus or unanimous), 19 first-team all-conference selections and five freshmen All-Americans. He also has seen 29 of his players reach the NFL, including Devin Lloyd, who became the highest-drafted linebacker in school history when he was picked No. 27 overall in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Scalley was a four-year letterman at Utah (2001-04) and was named Mountain West Conference Co-Defensive Player of the Year in 2004. He also was an All-Mountain West First Team and an Associated Press and Sports Illustrated All-American Second Team selection that season.
He received All-Mountain West Second Team honors as a defensive back in 2003, and earned an honorable mention as a punt returner in 2001 and 2002.
As a senior, Scalley captained the Utes to a 12-0 record, a Fiesta Bowl win over Pittsburgh and a No. 4 national ranking as Utah became the first non-BCS team to play in a BCS bowl game.
The two-time Academic All-American First Team selection was presented with the inaugural Pat Tillman Award during the 2005 East-West Shrine Game, recognizing him for his character, intelligence, sportsmanship and service.
He graduated magna cum laude from Utah in 2004 with a bachelor’s degree in mass communication, and earned a Master of Business Administration in 2006.
