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Utah Utes: Whittingham wins top coach

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rvalens2 | 3:09 a.m. Jan. 14, 2009

Congratulations Coach Whit. You deserve it.

Eight-Straight

Hmm ... that would make a for a nice logo on a T-Shirt or baseball cap.

Next season, let's make it nine.

Westmore Wildcat | 5:03 a.m. Jan. 14, 2009

Back in 1980 Kyle Whittingham was among a group of BYU football players who visited my elementary school. He was my favorite defensive player and he was incredibly polite and gracious with the young kids at my school. I got his autograph along with Robert Anae, and others, and although I wish Kyle's coaching career had included BYU, I am very happy for his successes (except his victories over the Y of course!). Congratulations to you Kyle for Coach of the Year, and kudos to the U for hiring this former Cougar and giving him his shot as your head coach.

Mick | 5:06 a.m. Jan. 14, 2009

Utah is grateful you are here. You have made tremendous impact. As a coach you are a beacon of light for athletic programs. In game competition your team was excellent. In role modeling for the community, and impacting the lives of young men this recognition is deserved and earned. Success to you Coach Whittingham, may Utah football continue to prosper.

Comments continue below

JR | 5:09 a.m. Jan. 14, 2009

Congratulations!

Bronco | 6:29 a.m. Jan. 14, 2009

Congrats, Coach Whit!
More important though--has Bronco won one of these.
I thought not.

Anonymous | 6:40 a.m. Jan. 14, 2009

Job well done, Very well deserved!

Go Utes!

Deputy Barney Fife | 6:47 a.m. Jan. 14, 2009

This is a well-deserved recognition of a fine coach and a better human being. I join the others in congratulating Coach Kyle and the Ute program for this wonderful honor. And I especially want to echo the astute "Bronco 6:29 am" comment--"More important though--" Typical Ute fan--deriving much more satisfaction and excitement from a BYU "loss" than a Utah "win." Way to go "Bronco," you represent your school and its fans in an exemplary fashion.

Wash square | 7:08 a.m. Jan. 14, 2009

Where is Washington Square?

Awesome man. | 7:21 a.m. Jan. 14, 2009

Nice job coach Whittingham. Go Cougars!

Bob Loblaw | 7:36 a.m. Jan. 14, 2009

Whit soundly defeated Alabama.
Bronco would have been blown out by Bama.
Ouch!

Only a little brother... | 7:46 a.m. Jan. 14, 2009

would be compelled to use this as an opportunity for comparisons.

Congrats Kyle on a great season!

--Bronco

Whit Fan | 7:47 a.m. Jan. 14, 2009

Thanks for the perfect season Coach Whit! As a Ute fan I am proud to have you representing my school. Let's keep the MWC in the headlines and send another school to the BCS (even BYU)
Go UTES!

Boise Coug | 8:16 a.m. Jan. 14, 2009

Congrats Coach Whit. The Utes made even diehard Cougar fans proud this season.

And let's please not use this as an opportunity to rip Bronco - his award comes not with these "football" related awards but rather when he is called as a Seventy. Remember - football is only ranked fifth on the Y's list of priorities!

Alpine Ute | 8:23 a.m. Jan. 14, 2009

My dad took me to Ute games as a child. In jr. high, I sold refreshments in the stands. I am a third-generation alumnus. I enjoyed the great competition among the Utah schools who, regardless of national ranking, seemed to get "up" for an intra-state game of football or basketball. I was a Ute student when BYU brought their team up to play against Jeff Judkins, et al. The president of BYU at the time, Dallin Oaks, urged the Cougar fans to come up with a display of team support other than booing the opponent. When the Ute team ran on the court, the entire BYU section of the stands pulled newspapers out and spread them in front of their faces, as if to show they couldn't care less who the Cougars were playing - it was hilarious. That's classy trash-talk.
Kudos to you, Kyle, for this recent award, but I don't like going to Ute games any more. A very loud minority of Ute fans are utterly without class, yelling obscenities which make me (a military vet) blush and which offend, not only the opponents, but many Utes, too. It's sad. I hope Kyle can reform these fans.

Pdubya | 8:29 a.m. Jan. 14, 2009

Let me just say that as an Oklahoma Sooners fan, Utah deserved far more to be playing against Florida than my team. I was very impressed by the Utes play against Alabama and I think they would have been a formidable opponent for Florida in the national championship--more so than my Sooners. Congrats as well to Coach Whittingham! We are still stuck with Big Lame Bob. He could take some lessons from the coach of the year when it comes to really BIG games. Go Utes!

AZ Ute | 8:34 a.m. Jan. 14, 2009

Congratulations Coach, you deserve it...your a class act and a credit to the university.

Ernest T. Bass | 8:39 a.m. Jan. 14, 2009

Well, we're still undefeated in firesides.

Way to Go Coach! | 8:39 a.m. Jan. 14, 2009

Congrats Coach Whittingham! You are a tremendous coach! It is a privelege to have you up on the hill coaching the Utes! Looking forward to seeing you and the football team on Saturday in the Huntsman Center to be honored at halftime!
Go UTES!

Y Fan | 9:06 a.m. Jan. 14, 2009

Coach Whittingham totally deserves this. Kudos!

The Utes are national champs in my book too.

Hangman | 9:07 a.m. Jan. 14, 2009

I imagine, Coach Whit's Philosophy is pretty close to Bronco's except I think he puts Football above Friends. BYU could learn a lot from Whit.

1. Change up your predictable plays on offense.
2. Switch form a 3-4 defense and mix it up.
3. Practice longer than 90 minutes a practice.
4. Recruit Good LDS Players with Speed for the secondary.
4. You better have friends on the team if you are on scholarship and change that priority.

If the changes don't take place BYU will be an average 9-3, 8-4, 10-2 team for the rest of Bronco's time.

Oklahoma is going to to be chomping at the bit to put up 60 points in Dallas next year. Oklahoma, TCU and Utah will be very tough next year as well.

way to go | 9:12 a.m. Jan. 14, 2009

Well, it is well-deserved. I'm glad they didn't overlook this one. He sure deserves it, as I think the Utes should have been named #1, but we didn't get that one. Way to go, Coach!

To: Deputy Barney Fife at 6:47 | 9:10 a.m. Jan. 14, 2009

I am as big a Ute fan as you can find, and I found "Bronco"'s comment equally stupid. Unfortunately, you just could not refrain from a "typical Ute fan" comment, showing that you are on no higher ground than "Bronco."

Try not to lump all Ute fans in together. There are some great ones, and some horrible ones. (You probably would be shocked, but I've seen a dispicable BYU fan a time or two. I am smart enough not to judge the whole lot by the actions of a few (or many, actually).)

Go Utes! Way to go coach Whit!

Jacko | 9:21 a.m. Jan. 14, 2009

Earning an award that the Great Lavell never got, Wow! Congrats Coach Whit! Thanks for all you do.

Utah clarification | 9:20 a.m. Jan. 14, 2009

This is not meant to take anything away from Kyle, because he certainly deserves this honor. But it should be noted that when the article states Coach Whittingham is "the first Utah coach" to win this award it is referring to the UNIVERSITY of Utah, not the STATE of Utah.
Lavell Edwards won the same award in 1984 after a similar undefeated season. As for which season was best, 1984 or 2008? Even a loyal cougar fan such as myself can't decide between the two. Congratulations UTES and KW!

Darrell | 9:31 a.m. Jan. 14, 2009

Congratuations for an honor well deserved. The college coaching in this state has never been better overall.

FOOTBALL FAN | 9:50 a.m. Jan. 14, 2009

Funny how when ever something happens for the utes they allways have to trash talk byu. I would exspect nothing less from the yewts. Your team wins a bowl game and you have a parade. I thought parades were for national champs . But i guess thats as close as you will ever get so enjoy your parade GO GATORS AND COACH MEYER. And jacko edwards did win that same honor. Get your facts strait first. And in closing national champs BYU 1 YEWTS 0

JNH | 9:54 a.m. Jan. 14, 2009

LaVell Edwards won this same award in 1984. Whittingham is the first Utah (ie: University of Utah)coach to win it...not the first from a University in the state of Utah.

To Football Fan | 10:15 a.m. Jan. 14, 2009

Go read the article comparing 1984 BYU and 2008 Utah. Utes were by far the better team. It's not even close. In closing, undefeated football seasons: Utah-2, byU-1; BCS Bowl appearances/victories: Utah-2/2, byU-N/A.

(crickets heard in Coogertown)

Mick | 10:37 a.m. Jan. 14, 2009

@ Football Fan
I know zero is not very much. But then, one is only a little bit bigger. I don't think one means total dominance. Heck, there hasn't even been a second number added since the lonely one. What's your point?

sodiedog | 10:38 a.m. Jan. 14, 2009

Washington Square is the park surrounding the Salt Lake City and County Building

Sad but True | 11:05 a.m. Jan. 14, 2009

The geniuses at BYU that selected Bronco over Kyle should be relieved of their duties and sent on missions far, far away...The U of U's success this season resulted from a good team led by a GREAT coach. BYU's success on the other hand is the result of a GREAT team led by a good coach. Coaching at the college level is the single most important variable!!!

pure speculation | 11:18 a.m. Jan. 14, 2009

Utah 2004 may have been better than BYU 1984, but IMAO a BYU 1984 vs Utah 2008 matchup would have been a toss up. BYU 2003, 2001, and 1996 may have been better than BYU 1984.

But, of all the teams mentioned, ONLY ONE finished #1 and was voted National Champion by EVERY nationally recognized poll --

Consensus National Champions
Year School Selecting organization
1982 Penn St. AP, FWAA, NFF, USA/CNN, UPI
1983 Miami (Fla.) AP, FWAA, NFF, USA/CNN, UPI
1984 Brigham Young AP, FWAA, NFF, USA/CNN, UPI
1985 Oklahoma AP, FWAA, NFF, USA/CNN, UPI
1986 Penn St. AP, FWAA, NFF, USA/CNN, UPI
1987 Miami (Fla.) AP, FWAA, NFF, USA/CNN, UPI

AP - Associated Press
FWAA - Football Writers Association of America
NFF - National Football Foundation/College Football Hall of Fame
UPI - United Press International
USA/CNN - USA Today/CNN

Players on the BYU 1984 team:
Robbie Bosco Sammy Baugh Trophy
Trevor Matich 12 Years NFL 1985-1996
Todd Shell 4 Years NFL 1984-1987
Lee Johnson 18 Years NFL 1985-2002
Vai Sikahema 8 Years 1986-1993
Leon White 8 Years NFL 1986-1993

re: pure speculation | 11:38 a.m. Jan. 14, 2009

"BYU 2003, 2001, and 1996 may have been better than BYU 1984."

should have been BYU 1983, 1981, and 1996 may have been better than BYU 1984.

Re. pure speculation | 11:43 a.m. Jan. 14, 2009

Dude for real, you have way to much time on your hands man, just relax a little champ.

Utah Mann | 11:56 a.m. Jan. 14, 2009

To all of you cougar fans that can't decide which team is better, the 08 utes or the 84 cougars. PATHETIC!! The 84 cougs had a hard time (barely won) with an 6-5 Michigan team in the Holiday bowl. The 08 Utes soundly beat a team that was rankded #1 in the country for 5 weeks and only had one loss to Florida!!!!!!!!!! Come on now, take off the blue glasses fellas!!!!!!! The 04 and the 08 Utes would DOMINATE the 84 cougars!!!!!!!!!!! Of course this is just my opinion GO UTES

OH congrats coach whit

To: FOOTBALL FAN, Bronco | 12:02 p.m. Jan. 14, 2009

I am going to take a wild guess and say you are both in either Jr. High or High School. Neither one of you were around to even see the 1984 team BYU put on the field. You are stuck in only seeing your team's success. If you were not so jaded you would see that Utah's success can do nothing but help BYU or TCU next year. BYU has a GREAT schedule and an even better argument for National Champions than Utah did this year, should BYU go unbeaten. It is a tough pill to swallow, but like the very classy BYU fans who have supported Utah I hope BYU gets a step closer next. Utah does not appear to have the manpower to come close to what they accomplished this year, so I hope someone emerges from this conference next. BYU is the one with the most hope to get a non-BCS team into the National Championship next year. Best of luck to all!!!

Re: Pure Speculation | 12:03 p.m. Jan. 14, 2009

Hey. Why don't you put your 1984 BYU media guide back under the glass display in the 1984 NC* shrine room which occupies 80% of the square footage of your house. Nice.

yeah, | 12:20 p.m. Jan. 14, 2009

why don't you take the next couple of plays off. stop talking for a bit.

Dapper2k | 12:33 p.m. Jan. 14, 2009

ACtually I think TCU has a better chance then BYU at cracking the BCS next year. TCU is bringing back almost their entire team.

GO Utes!

AzByuFan | 12:36 p.m. Jan. 14, 2009

Congrats Whit, way to represent the U and represent the Y as an Alum. The state of Utah has two football teams this year that had the longest winning streaks. What can be agreed on is that there are two quality programs here. The same discussion cannot be made in the vast majority of states, and only in states with much larger populations.

Mike | 12:48 p.m. Jan. 14, 2009

OK we get it Y-ners. The 1984 team was good, can we please move onto something your team has done in the last quarter century (unless of course there's nothing else to talk about). How many Ute fans do you hear talking about winning the national championship in basketball in 1944? Do you think if the Y had done anything worthwhile in football since 1984 that you would keep talking about that one season? Here's another thing - conference championships are nice, but do something in the post season, like go to a decent bowl once in awhile, or ever. At least win consistently in the bad bowls you go to. And please, don't embarrass the MWC on national tv next year against Oklahoma.

Re: Sad but True | 12:50 p.m. Jan. 14, 2009

Bronco has done great! In the last three years, BYU is 22-2 in conference-- what's Kyle's record for that time frame? I would much rather have a team that wins 10 plus games a year and it consistantly ranked, than to have a miracle season, once in a rare while, and then to be right back to mediocrity. Just watch as the Utes lose @ BYU, @ TCU, @ CSU, @ UNLV all next season! Some Ute fans think BYU fans are SO delusional, yet.. the more I read these blogs, the more you would come to see that some Ute fans think that the Utah Utes are Florida! Show me at least TWO more seasons (in addition to this one) where the Utes win the Mountain West title and 10 plus games and then come talk your trash all you want! Until then, I'll take a top 25 ranking and 10 wins every year! To most, Utah is just a flash in the pan.... mark my words, you read it here first: The Utah Utes will not win the MWC Title next year nor will they finish second! Offense and defense are leaving!

RE: Utah Mann | 12:58 p.m. Jan. 14, 2009

Yeah, Utah DOMINTATED every team this year! I mean that 3 point vitory at home over Oregon State was huge! Then there was that last second touchdown at Air Force-- that was pure domination! Wait, I think the 3 point win at football 'power-house' New Mexico and another 3 point home-win over TCU was incredible! Wow, the Utes of '08 are the best team-- EVER!!!!!!!

True Blue | 1:23 p.m. Jan. 14, 2009

There is noway that Coach Whittingham is better than Bronco.

What a joke!! First Austin Collie gets snubbed and now Bronco gets snubbed!

It doesn't matter. We all know who the real best coach is.

This just in... | 1:56 p.m. Jan. 14, 2009

In addition to the 1984 cougar football team being #1 in the nation, Bronco Mendenhall has been ranked ahead of Joseph Smith in importance to LDS faith doctrine, and has done more, save Lavell Edwards only in bringing about the only true and living football team on the face of the whole earth. Ahmen!

Re: This just in..... | 2:06 p.m. Jan. 14, 2009

oh, brother.....

Yep, another Mormon hater shows his intelligence.

Congratulations Utah Utes! | 2:07 p.m. Jan. 14, 2009

Who cares True Blue! Better coach, not a better coach? Who cares. What was there record this year! End of story. Life's great when the cougars are winning. But, oooooooooooh how the universe is sooooo sad when the Y doesn't win. Bronco is a great coach. But, he didn't win the big ones this year. That's life. Live with it and stop crying! Congratulations to both schools. They had their succeses this year in their own way! Way to Go Coach Whittingham.

Coach Whit | 2:10 p.m. Jan. 14, 2009

He has always been a great coach, but this year he really came into his own. The question isn't whether Whittingham is better than Mendenhall - obviously Whittingham wins that battle. The question is who would you rather have - Meyer or Whit? Toss up, but I would have a hard time not taking Whit

JonesUte | 2:27 p.m. Jan. 14, 2009

This award for Whittingham is great for the team, school and all of the Utah fans. What an incredible season!

Side note: Just before the season started, my neighbor (who is a huge coug. fan) said that Whittingham "just doesn't have it." Wow, what a statement considering what has transpired the last few months.

consolation prize | 2:33 p.m. Jan. 14, 2009

this is nothing more than a piece of candy to pacify the crying baby. The Utes went undefeated and weren't even in the running for the national title so give their coach an award and hope they go away...the BCS way. Whitingham isn't a great coach but I will give him credit for having his team always ready to play the big games...something that Bronco hasn't mastered yet.

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