Utah Utes football: Whittingham nears new contract

NEW ORLEANS — Though he isn't directly involved in the negotiations, Utah coach Kyle Whittingham acknowledged he's about to get a new contract.

"We are working in that direction," he said before noting it isn't foremost on his mind. "I've got more important things at hand right now, but it's been ongoing for a few weeks and it's close. We'd like to get it done prior to the game."

Whittingham, however, isn't worried about it. The Sugar Bowl, he emphasized, is his top priority.

GOOD START: Whittingham really liked what he saw in Saturday's practice at Tulane. The Utes, he explained, handled distractions like a 90-minute flight delay out of Salt Lake City well.

"It was a great practice," Whittingham said. "I was very pleased coming off a four-day layoff."

NOT A LOT TO SAY: Alabama coach Nick Saban apparently doesn't have a strong opinion on whether teams like Utah, with a number of LDS returned missionaries, has a unique advantage.

It's an issue BYU has dealt with for years. Some opposing coaches have claimed it's an unfair advantage for the Cougars.

Saban didn't go there.

Asked Sunday about his perspective on missionaries, he basically took a pass.

"I don't have a lot of experience with it, so it's difficult for me to comment about it," said Saban.

He added, "I think everybody goes through the maturing process, and I would think all those things come into play on the football field."

Saban said growth experiences in young adulthood produce better players.

"Those types of things are characteristic of successful people," he said.

"It develops maturity and I'm sure it helps your ability to have success."

COORDINATED: The impending departures of coordinators Gary Andersen (Utah State) and Andy Ludwig (Kansas State) hasn't had a negative impact on Utah's Sugar Bowl preparations.

"Both coordinators have done a great job working through the process, working through the circumstances and keeping their focus right here on the task at hand," Whittingham said.

STILL WORKING: Wide receiver Marquis Wilson, who lost his scholarship for violating undisclosed team rules and walked on this season in an attempt to be reinstated, isn't with the team in New Orleans.