Deseret News | Utah Utes football: Utah wants to reward Whittingham

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Utah Utes football: Utah wants to reward Whittingham

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Coach Whittingham | 3:24 p.m. Nov. 26, 2008

Congratulations on a great season, coach Whittingham.

Coaches like Kyle don't come around often, Dr. Hill, let's get it done!

this is so funny!!! | 3:32 p.m. Nov. 26, 2008

Two short years ago Ute fans and media were all calling for Kyle's head and now he is king ...at least for a few more weeks. Here is a guarantee, the minute Utah starts losing again (like next season) the "fire Kyle" chant will begin again up on the Hill and around the fickle Ute fan base. What fans fail to realize is good coaches are only as good as the players they recruit plus a little luck with injuries. Kyle recruits good players year in and year out at the U and is a sound coach a well. However good coaches can have bad years with wins and losses from time to time. Repeated bad years (3 or more like Crowton at the Y) and it is time to move on.

Crazy to stay at Utah | 3:42 p.m. Nov. 26, 2008

Whitingham will get BIG money offers from BCS schools - that much is a guarantee. Maybe a school like Washington or Tennessee. Staying at Utah would be NUTS!!! Utah will be trying to fire Kyle again once he loses a few game just like after he took over for Meyer. The smart thing would be to strike the iron while it is hot because once that old iron cools off the offers will disapear!!! I would love to see a loyal Whitingham who would stay at the U but if it were me ... I would be GONE just like Urban Meyer. SHOW ME THE MONEY MAN!!!!!!

Comments continue below

Coach Whit | 3:45 p.m. Nov. 26, 2008

Congrats to Coach Whit. He has long been a great coordinator, but it looks like it took a few seasons to learn how to manage the team as a head coach. He seems to have learned the balance between consistency and using extra motivation to get the team up. Initially there was too much up and down up and down. Of course there were some close calls this year, but Utah showed up for every game they played in. Nice work coach. I have a lot of respect for Bronco Mendenhall, so I mean him no disrespect, but I'm very glad that Utah ended up with their guy.

Go extend that bowl win streak!

3 plays away .. | 3:50 p.m. Nov. 26, 2008

Funny, Kyle was three plays away from finishing second in the MWC and probably a ranking no higher that 20. TCU missed two easy field goals and should be the MWC champ right now. OSU missed on a third down play against the U after they took the lead which would have given them a first down and allowed them t run out the clock for the victory. So, let's say Utah loses those two games - I wonder how popular Kyle would be now????

Kyle playing coy | 3:51 p.m. Nov. 26, 2008

Sounds like Kyle is keeping all of his options open; he'll likely listen to offers from Washington and possibly others, and then use that as leverage to negotiate a new deal with Utah.

Utah better have some fatcat donors lined up to help pay Whittingham's hefty raise if Utah hopes to keep Kyle.

Smart Money | 3:59 p.m. Nov. 26, 2008

Says he'll be gone. He can make A LOT more $$ if he moves to a BCS school. He's topped out at Utah, I guess it depends what his ultimate ambitions are. Good Luck either way.

Contract | 4:05 p.m. Nov. 26, 2008

His contract will be between $1mil to $1.5mil/year.
Cha-ching!
Whit isn't going anywhere but the BCS and he's taking the Utes with him!

lock up a big offer | 4:20 p.m. Nov. 26, 2008

Lock up a BIG 2 million per year offer from a BSC school like Washington or Tennessee and you are set for life no matter what happens. Utah can't come close to those numbers and that's why Meyer left to Florida. Kyle would be unwise not to follow the same road that Urban took.

Ute in Idaho | 4:22 p.m. Nov. 26, 2008

Whit is lucky he didn't have to play Boise State this year. Instead of a perfect season he'd be an A- and a career 0 and 2 against the Broncos.

Let's hope the Utes get a team like Pitt again.

Funny... | 4:23 p.m. Nov. 26, 2008

@ 3 plays away-

BYwho is one play and one drive away from being 8-4 and out of the top 25...

Good teams find away, remember, scoreboard. Special teams is just as much a part of the game as the rest. Third down conversions are as important as 1st downs. You can't pick and choose what stats you follow, all that matters is the score when that clock hits 0:00.

Thanks for stoppin in, see ya in the BCS!!!

Nate | 4:40 p.m. Nov. 26, 2008

Uh, no you won't be seeing him or any other Zoob in the BCS.

GO UTES!

dolladollabill | 4:41 p.m. Nov. 26, 2008

Kyle if anything be loyal to yourself. Take the money. Its just like the nfl. as soon as you dont make any money for the school, its kyle who. I didnt hear the president getting your back when had average season. show me cash munae.

Re: this is so funny!!! | 4:42 p.m. Nov. 26, 2008

If you are referring to my comment, the first post, I want to make it clear to you that your generalities are nothing more than unsupported non-sense. Yes, there were many in the Utah fan base calling for coach Whittingham's head the last two years. There were also many in the BYU fan base poking fun at the situation.

Addressing the latter condition first, I don't think and anyone in BYU-dom is laughing any longer. As for the former, I am a Utah fan who believed in coach Whittingham since he took over and have not changed that position.

As for the future to which you refer...I would not bet against Kyle Whittingham if I were you.

Re: ute in idaho | 4:46 p.m. Nov. 26, 2008

You don't sound like a Ute, but you do sound like an idahoan. Enjoy whatever non-BCS bowl your Broncos can scrounge up.

Fire Whitt? | 4:50 p.m. Nov. 26, 2008

Never.
you are dead wrong. I have been watching the Utes for years, havent' missed a game in 10 years, and never once have I heard a "fire Whitt" chant. I've heard Fire Ludwig, Fire McBride, even Fire Majerus, but never, ever, fire whitt.
Grow up. You're team lost to a superior opponent. Get over it.

Re: 3 plays away... | 4:51 p.m. Nov. 26, 2008

Well, it didn't happen that way did it. Further, I submit to you that had TCU hit both field goals, Utah would have kicked a field goal from the 36 instead of punting (which they probably should have done anyway). Since the Utah touchdown really did happen let's give it to them, ok? So, now the score is TCU 16, Utah 15.

Oh but wait, Utah doesn't have to kick the PAT could go for two. And let's just say that's what they would have done and they made it. SCORE TWO FOR THE UTES!!!

Guess what, UTAH wins by one. See, anyone can write their own ending to a game just like you can.

UTAH = PERFECT SEASON!!

Why Not Help | 4:52 p.m. Nov. 26, 2008

I think Whit will look at things differently than Meyer did. Whit will get a nice raise, but will also want to stay and build on the recruits he himself has brought. Let's remember that many of the starters and seniors of the team were Meyer's recruits. I think Whit will want to develop his own players first before moving anywhere.

The MWC may even have a good shot at getting an automatic BCS bid in a few years if coaches like Whit stick around. Why move to a BCS conference when you have the chance to build one yourself?

Boise State | 5:01 p.m. Nov. 26, 2008

is a paper tiger. They have one good win in the entire history of their program.
TCU or BYU would KILL BSU in a bowl game this year.

Re: Fire Witt? | 5:02 p.m. Nov. 26, 2008

I saw a few but they were few indeed. Plus they were posted on one of these anonymous DN boards which means they could have been written by, and probably were written by, moronic BYU fans still trying to understand how Coach Whittingham could say "no" to BYU's offer. This of course is all driven by jealousy.

Re: Boise State | 5:09 p.m. Nov. 26, 2008

You have been spending too much time with your crystal ball, haven't you...hmmmm?

Although it's true that Boise State hasn't played anybody good this year, at least as far as a ranking goes, both TCU and BYU have played good teams.

I don't think I need to tell you what happened! So, please tell me why you think BYU would KILL BSU??

Money | 5:19 p.m. Nov. 26, 2008

I don't think it is always about the money for every coach. He'll get paid well by the U and it is probably a better program and coaching position. He can build a legacy here. There is a big difference between when Florida and Notre Dame come calling and when Washington comes calling.

Re:funny and the rest of ya | 5:31 p.m. Nov. 26, 2008

You Utah fans just can't read or write anything without tying it to BYU. What a life you must live. They better not give the farm to him especially the way the economy is right now. Next thing you know we will be bailing out sports programs in the US. Lets get realistic Hill and Kyle.

Silas | 5:42 p.m. Nov. 26, 2008

Whit needs to jump if he gets a good offer, you never know when you'll have another. Good for him. I'd like to see Anderson get the USU job as well.

uteowl | 6:02 p.m. Nov. 26, 2008

RE: Silas

"Whit needs to jump if he gets a good offer, you never know when you'll have another. Good for him. I'd like to see Anderson get the USU job as well."

Written like a true Zoob. Clean out the Ute coaching staff so you have a shot again, eh?

To the Smurfs | 6:07 p.m. Nov. 26, 2008

Boise State hasn't proven anything this season as to how they would stack up against several good teams, except that we know those teams would score a lot of points against the smurfs. They would be very hardpressed to outscore BYU. That's why people think the kougs would whoop the smurfs.

Utah & TCU are clearly the class of the MWC, as shown by what they did to the kougs.

Haven't these guys learned | 6:27 p.m. Nov. 26, 2008

Go ahead, extend his contract, and then you'll be eating a million or so when you fire him in a few years and have to buy out his contract.

Silas | 6:31 p.m. Nov. 26, 2008

Not a Zoob, could careless about the Y, but coaching movement happens, why shouldn't Whit make more money, why shouldn't Anderson get his shot as a D1 head coach. Maybe if Whit jumps, then Anderson could step in? The Utes can replace both them and they'll be just fine. Urban did it, why not Kyle? He could easily double or triple his salary.

BSU | 6:37 p.m. Nov. 26, 2008

BSU played absolutely nobody this year, if they were to make the BCS this year, they wouldn't even score a point, or maybe a field goal!! Why don't the Utes and Bronco's play a BCS entry game where the winner goes to the BCS, UTAH WOULD KILL BSU!!!!

Anonymous | 6:41 p.m. Nov. 26, 2008

One good season does not a great coach make. The next few seasons will prove his worth. I think he'll leap, though.

sob | 6:44 p.m. Nov. 26, 2008

funny the blue boys here advising kyle to leave
if you read their posts since last saturdays sweeeet win (more sweet every day they post) it's surprising that bronco isn't gone,,,, so many complaining about the why only lost because of the coaches poor play calling

they are the ones that will run mr clean off next year if the utes beat them again

Stupid Cougar Fans | 7:05 p.m. Nov. 26, 2008

Again Cougar fans show their real colors. Not that the situation is the same but do you think the irrational BYU posters on this story would be telling Bronco to take the money and run if the story was about Bronco and not Kyle.....??????

comparison | 7:12 p.m. Nov. 26, 2008

Bronco preached "Quest for Perfection" at begining of the season.
Whit has his team at PERFECT level at the end of regular season.

Bronco talked "BcS" at begining of the season.
Whit has his team in BCS at the end of season.

San Diego Ute | 7:13 p.m. Nov. 26, 2008

Lisen people,

Unlike Urban, Kyle is a died in the wool Utahn. The U will offer a fat pay increase, I would guess with incentives it will be in the $1.4 million range. That's living like a prince in SLC. Also, a coach can make a mistake by leaving a solid program he's built to restore a program in a more high profile arena. Tyrone Willingham, Charlie Weiss and Rich Rodriguez come to mind. I think Kyle will stay put.

My instincts in such matters are uncanny.

Run Kyle Run | 7:46 p.m. Nov. 26, 2008

This was a fluke year for you, you easily could have had 4 losses. So, if a generous offer comes, take it. Show that good business sense that you picked up as a grad from BYU.

His Dad made a lot of stops, always looking to do better, I think Kyle will do the same. My instincts aren't too bad either.

Tom Holmoe | 7:56 p.m. Nov. 26, 2008

I heard BYU wants to hire Whittingham-- AGAIN!!

I Hope | 8:19 p.m. Nov. 26, 2008

Kyle leaves, then I can cheer for him again. Can't do it when he's wearing that dreaded puke red shirt.

Re: I hope | 8:42 p.m. Nov. 26, 2008

Bet you want him to go south and put on the blue colore, don't you????

Zoobs Go Away | 8:48 p.m. Nov. 26, 2008

Why do we get haunted with loser zoobs. This has nothing to do with you, Go away. We will see you next November when we can take it to you at home. Kyle knows the right school that is why he chose Utah instead of the zoo in the bubble

Forrest | 8:51 p.m. Nov. 26, 2008

Kyle is great. And Hill knows how to spend other people's money, real well.

Provo Dad | 8:56 p.m. Nov. 26, 2008

Kyle's not going anywhere. You Zoobies are so jealous it's driving you out of your minds!!! Watch Utah just keep getting better, year after year. I guess you zoobs realize that BYU will never be BCS material so thats why you want him to leave. Cry in your RootBeer It just ain't gonna happen, He's staying.

If.... | 9:05 p.m. Nov. 26, 2008

the Utes can come up with at least a million per season, then I would say, Kyle....stay. If not, then I think he would be smart to go to either Washington or another BCS school.

I'm not sure what kind of endowment Utah has but Washington is at least at $1.9 billion. So the best of luck to Kyle and Dr. Hill at the negotiation table...

rvalens2 | 9:08 p.m. Nov. 26, 2008

I was raised in Idaho but went to school at the UofU. I love the UofU but I also root for Boise State.

This season I have watched all the Boise State games and most of the Utah games. In my opinion, Boise State would do well against both Utah and BYU.

Are they good enough to beat Utah? No, I'm certain Utah would knock them from the undefeated column. However, BSU is good enough to beat BYU and would have likely placed 3rd in the Mountain West this year, just behind Utah and TCU.

WAC Better Than MWC | 9:37 p.m. Nov. 26, 2008

Utah & BYU fans, Boise has killed both of you in recent years, when you had a chance to play them. And I noticed neither of you will schedule them again?? Boise beat a good Oregon team in Oregon, in fact spanked them, with a FRESHMAN QB, hello, early in the season and beat So. Miss easily on the road. Utah and BYU Played NO one, UCLA & Washington 2 of the worst teams in the west and the worst Michigan team that has ever lived. Boise is the class of BCS and the only constitent program in the west.......MWC is very jealous of all the PUB the WAC has gotten and will get. BOISE will go BCS again this yr and with a Freshman QB, be good for another 4 yrs.....

JIMMY Z SAYs | 9:49 p.m. Nov. 26, 2008

Whit take the money and run.....Oregon STATE
and TCU should have been losses.....you are
so lucky....the Utes will get killed in a BCS
game..just like Hawaii

Admit | 9:51 p.m. Nov. 26, 2008

That I wish Kyle had taken the BYU job when offered. I think his defensive schemes are better than Bronco's. Kyle was a Cougar and should have gone back to the Alma Mater. I don't see him as a traitor, he did what was best for him, like he will do again when he moves on to Washington.

The problem with BSU | 10:10 p.m. Nov. 26, 2008

I live in Boise and read and hear a good deal about BSU and the problem with BSU is the WAC. The WAC is so bad no one has any idea how good BSU is. They have played one decent team (with a 3rd string QB) and won by five points. The other teams in the WAC are teams other leagues schedule for cupcake games. The WAC had 2 victories against teams from BCS conferences. UNLV, one of the worst teams in the MWC, had two by themselves. BSU schedules itself to play one or two difficult games a year and the league makes sure that they don't play anyone with a pulse in back to back games. If Boise wants respect then they will have to schedule better non-conf games. Beating one middle of the road pac-10 team is not going to cut it when the rest of the conference stinks, and what if Oregon had been down this year? 12-0 doesn't mean anything when 5 of those wins are gimmes.

Gretzky | 10:20 p.m. Nov. 26, 2008

one can only hope that Witt moves on. he was delivered TCU and BYU on a golden platter this year by the refs who homered both visiting teams for most of the games. only difference was BYU threw the game away in "desperation" attempts to overcome the poor reffing calls and TCU had a freshman kicker. the same thing happened to UNLV against BYU....a wild should have been no call against Bell and BYU ended up winning in good fashion. i smell MWC home cooking all season long by Craig Thompson....

Kruger is still OPEN | 10:36 p.m. Nov. 26, 2008

Kyle is loyal and will stay. He'll only get better and better. BTW, you want to talk about overrated this year, all you have to do is look up north -- boise c.c. Go UTES!!!!!!!! (How many BCS games for Utah vs. boise??) HaHa!!!!!!!!

WAC better than MWC? | 10:39 p.m. Nov. 26, 2008

Are you kidding? If the comment is that BSU is as good or better than a lot of MWC teams that is one thing, but how many teams has the WAC had in the top 25 in the last 10 years outside of BSU? Ever since the MWC schools decided that they weren't going anywhere with the anchors that the WAC had had the time and left, the WAC has lost almost all of its swagger and the Mountain West has continued to gain ground. I would love to see BSU in the MWC, but honestly, I don't think that they would move over because they would suddenly be a smaller fish in a bigger pond.

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