Utah's Head Coach Kyle Whittingham congratulates his team Saturday, Nov. 3, 2012 as the Utes and Washington State play at Rice Eccles Stadium.
Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
SALT LAKE CITY — Longtime college and professional football coach Dennis Erickson has interviewed with Kyle Whittingham for an assistant coach position at the University of Utah. A source confirmed the meeting took place Tuesday on campus.
Erickson, who turns 66 on March 24, was Arizona State’s head coach from 2007-2011. Other college stints include Idaho (1982-85, 2006), Wyoming (1986), Washington State (1987-88), Miami (1989-94) and Oregon State (1999-2002). He coached Miami to national championships in 1989 and 1991.
Erickson’s NFL head coaching career featured tenures with the Seattle Seahawks (1995-98) and San Francisco 49ers (2003-04).
Utah has one vacancy on its coaching staff after defensive line coach Chad Kauha’aha’a left the Utes to join Gary Andersen’s staff at Wisconsin.
Last week, Whittingham acknowledged that one of his current assistants could be moved to defense and the new hire placed on offense. Brian Johnson, 25, just completed his first season as Utah’s offensive coordinator.
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@gchris
BYU fans like yourself need to be very careful with your digs at Dennis Erickson and his drinking problems. His last DUI was in 1995 - there are several current BYU players who have DUI's more recent than that.
Dear Dennis. Please come and accept a coaching position if offered. Brian has a huge upside but needs some mentoring. It would be great for recruiting as well if you'd come aboard.
Go Utes!!
Not holding my breathe but this would be an amazing addition to the Utah staff and would provide Brian Johnson with a mentor of sorts as many of us have hoped for.
Go Utes!