Passing the ball

When it comes to the future of Utah's football program, a passing of the torch is unlikely. Given the relationship between Urban Meyer and Kyle Whittingham, a simple handoff will mark the transition.

Meyer, who'll leave the Utes for Florida after the Fiesta Bowl, is thrilled his defensive coordinator is taking over.

"I think any time you've got continuity, that's important," said Meyer. "But even more important than that is you get a chance to keep a great coach. And Kyle is a great coach."

So good, in fact, that Meyer hates to part company with the man hired to replace him at the helm of the fifth-ranked Utes.

"I wish he was coming with me," said Meyer.

Whittingham accepted a six-year deal worth $675,000 annually to become Utah's next coach after turning down an offer to coach at BYU, his alma mater. The Utes' longest-tenured assistant (11 years) is grateful Meyer opted to let him remain with the program after coach Ron McBride was fired and most of his staff cut loose.

"He took a chance retaining me because any time you retain somebody in a situation like that, there's risk involved on his part," said Whittingham. "So I'm just appreciative that he gave me the chance to work for him for two years. I've learned a ton of football. It's been a great experience, and I've got no regrets at all.

"There was never any uncomfortableness or uneasiness on my part," he added.

Though Whittingham was considered a candidate for the head coaching job awarded to Meyer, no animosity ever existed.

"He's very professional. A lot of times with assistant coaches — and he's going to find this out as a head coach — you have all kinds of this issue, that issue," said Meyer. "With Kyle Whittingham, our discussions were very professional, and he did his job. He did his job very well."

Their time together, Whittingham insists, will "absolutely" make him a better head coach than he would have been two years ago. Meyer's system and the way he handles issues with the team have been beneficial.

"The consistency in which he administers the discipline was a good thing to see," said Whittingham.

From Meyer's perspective, a transition with Whittingham is what he appreciates most. Utah has won 15 straight games and 21 of its past 23 outings.