Prediction | 4:08 p.m. Dec. 29, 2008
So, just a couple of years ago when Kyle became the head coach the entire year was full of "FIRE KYLE" posts because the Utes were a .500 team that year. I remember hearing the KFAN radio personalities bash Kyle for being too conservative and no where close to Urban Meyer. So, let's say the Utes finish with a 8-4 record next year and third in the MWC (which is VERY likely) where does that put Kyle?? ON THE HOT SEAT!! People will say,"we are paying him 1.2 mil a year for this"? I can hear it now. Better buy some fire retardant underware Kyle - you'll need them!!
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CONGRATULATIONS! | 4:04 p.m. Dec. 29, 2008
GO UTES!
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Wait Until Alabama | 4:08 p.m. Dec. 29, 2008
runs them out of New Orleans and see how much Kyle is worth. By the way..do the taxpayers in Utah pay anything towards the Yewts expenses?
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Let me be the first.... | 4:10 p.m. Dec. 29, 2008
Thank you Coach for the wonderful season and I am looking forward to the next 5 years as I will continue to enjoy my season tickets.
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good for Kyle but..... | 4:12 p.m. Dec. 29, 2008
... the heat is on! Utah better finish with "at least" 10 wins a season or the "fire Whitingham" chants will begin in earnest (again). Kyle would have been better off going to a place like Washington where the expectations were much lower and the ability to pay a coach such a HIGH salary would be more the norm for the conference.
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wow | 4:17 p.m. Dec. 29, 2008
Whitingham was two missed field goals and a lucky break on third down from finishing with a 10-2 season. Still a good season but the Utes were far from dominating this year and were the gracious recipients of several close games which (for not a bit of luck) could have gone the other way (Michigan, OSU, TCU). The point is, Whitingham is now the highest paid coach in the MWC and better have the record to support that year in and year out ..OR ELSE!! Hope Kyle likes the frying pan!!
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to Let me be the first: | 4:23 p.m. Dec. 29, 2008
you will continue to enjoy your season tickets until your Yewts lose a couple of games and then your "wonderful coach" will start hearing it from the Yewt failful (just like three years ago).
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Double Bronco | 4:26 p.m. Dec. 29, 2008
Whitingham now makes double Bronco's annual salary of $600. I guess that should translate to double the wins (it better!!)
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He's paid the most... | 4:26 p.m. Dec. 29, 2008
Because he's the best! It's called the free market. Which other MW coach has taken a team to a BCS game? None. Which other coach will? Maybe TCU's Gary Patterson, but NEVER pony boy from TDS! The way his program's going, they'll be lucky to make it back to Vegas.
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Re: wow | 4:29 p.m. Dec. 29, 2008
Two thoughts: 1) sometimes it's better to be lucky than good (although I don't see luck playing as big a role as you in Utah's close games this year...)

2) It's not how, it's how many (I've heard this attributed to Tommy Lasorda). It's true that Utah won several close games this year, but that's the whole point - THEY WON!! This was something McBride couldn't always figure out how to do, which is part of the reason Hill fired him.

I'm thrilled to have Whitt stay on - hope he gets a good OC to join him.
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Dear Boo Y Whoo fan... | 4:31 p.m. Dec. 29, 2008
Bronco wants to be a Utah mann...
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re:everyone | 4:30 p.m. Dec. 29, 2008
Kyle is a fantastic coach. What I like about him is that he admits his accountability with losses. Yes, the heat is on. I am a student at the U and I have never once thought Kyle should get fired because academics, players are doing well, and they have had slips and they will, but he has always rebounded and won bowl games, that keeps your job!
Where does he get his salary? Read the article idiot! Most of this comes from advertising and ticket revenue, and under armour. The little portion comes from radio and tv. HE NEEDS TO NEW TV SHOW AND HOST. THE RED ZONE IS HORRIBLE. I could do a better job that those people. Hire me!
Mr 2 missed field goals and Oregon State, a win is a win! I dont care how many field goals someone makes/misses. UTAH WON! AND THEY WILL BEAT ALABAMA! QUEST FOR PERFECTION THIS PUNK!
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these comments are dumb | 4:39 p.m. Dec. 29, 2008
They are paying him fair market value for the type of year Utah had. Unless Utah wants to continue to be a stepping stone to bigger conferences, they had to make this contract. No one expects Utah to go undefeated every year. If they compete for the conference championship each year, Kyle will be fine. If they don't, he will be under pressure but he will still be plenty rich. Congrats on the great season and all the hard work, Coach.

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Yewts 2009 schedule soft | 4:40 p.m. Dec. 29, 2008
Take a look at the "cake" 2009 schedule for the Yewts with ONE tough opponent (Oregon). San Jose State and Utah State, gee that ought to boost the Yewts back to the BCS! What a joke! Check out who the Y plays....

Arizona State
Florida State
Oklahoma

At least BYU schedules a BSC worthy schedule!!
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BYU fans | 4:40 p.m. Dec. 29, 2008
you are lame. You are so envious that you cannot even say congratulations.
I am so glad to wear red and have Kyle as my coach. Just keep dreaming and wishing.

Congrats Kyle, you are a great coach and we love you here at the U.
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Anonymous | 4:43 p.m. Dec. 29, 2008
It's nice to see that a University in the MWC rewards their coach for doing a fantastic job of getting the team into it's second BCS game. Congratulations from a life time Cougar Fan.

Too bad Hawaii let June Jones after going to a BCS Bowl. I think that a token appreciation of a pay raise would have kept him home in Hawaii instead of bolting to SMU.

I hope that if the Cougars make it to a BCS game in 2009 season, BYU will reward our coach with a significant pay raise to show our appreciation.
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fun | 4:46 p.m. Dec. 29, 2008
It is fun pummeling sour puss kitties and the Utes will continue to do so under their coach. Poor pitiful zoobs, so bitter at the reality of never being what they imagine they should be.
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See you in a few years | 4:57 p.m. Dec. 29, 2008
I remember, back in 1993, after the Utes first 34-31 win against BYU, I heard MANY die hard Ute fans tell me that Ron McBride would eclipse LaVell Edwards in every coaching category there was. I heard them say McBride would win over all the big recruits, he would dominate western college football, and that eventually, the Utes would be welcomed with open arms into the PAC 10, while BYU would be at the same level as Weber State.

Now, I'm hearing the same things said about Kyle Whitingham. You'll understand then why a few of us Cougar fans might be a little skeptical.

We'll see what happens.
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Kyle W.... | 5:28 p.m. Dec. 29, 2008
a classy person educated at BYU.
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AB Miller | 5:44 p.m. Dec. 29, 2008
Let's see how Twit does next year, without a senior QB, and without the favorable home schedule (every bowl team they played this year was at home, with the exception of AF.) BYU won the MWC two years in a row, last year with a sophomore QB. Will Kyle and the RedHawks/Skins do the same...? Don't bet on it. But kudos to Kyle for continuing to steal from the Huntsmans...
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