Deseret News | Utah Utes football: Whittingham agrees to new 5-year deal

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Utah Utes football: Whittingham agrees to new 5-year deal

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True Blue Athletic Supporter | 1:05 a.m. Dec. 30, 2008

Congrats to Coach Wittingham on the new deal and best wishes for continued success.

Here's hoping that the Utes can pull of an upset of Alabama. That would be great for the U of U, great for the state of Utah and great for the MWC.

rj | 3:32 a.m. Dec. 30, 2008

Has everyone forgotten the articles in the past few weeks about the cuts coming to university employees in the state of Utah? People are loosing jobs and I think it is a sad day when that much money is spent on a coach. So his team won, how many people will loose their jobs to help pay one coach?

Texas Ute | 4:24 a.m. Dec. 30, 2008

Hall may be like a bull in a bull fight. He sees red and he throws to it. Yes he is a good quaterback unless he is playing a team that is in red., ie, Utah and Arizona.

Comments continue below

NOT a ute fan | 4:38 a.m. Dec. 30, 2008

I believe that any true sports fan with any degree of integrity knows how to respect quality achievements, even when it happens to be on the part of your rival or adversary. As such, I congratulate Coach Whittingham on a great season. As to whether he is overpaid, I won't even go there! (There are probably a lot of people in athletics who are overpaid.) The thing that strikes me as a bit odd, is how so many BYU fans have such tunnel vision that they can't seem to acknowledge any kind of accomplishment unless it involves their Cougs. They aren't sports fans, they're simply BYU fans. I was taught that if you are going to be involved in sports, you learn how to be a gracious winner as well as a gracious loser. Unfortunately, many BYU fans are not gracious anything. They're just simply losers!

Anne | 5:28 a.m. Dec. 30, 2008

Congratulations to Coach Whittingham! As a long time Utah fan, I am looking forward to many great seasons under the tutelage of Coach Whit.

To angry BYU fans- No need to spew venom. Coach Whittingham is a class act and represents the university and the church very well. We would all do well to show a little more respect.

RE: Kyle W. | 7:39 a.m. Dec. 30, 2008

If I remember correctly (no guarantee) Bronco was 3rd choice. The Y originally wanted Andy Reid, then Whittingham.

Congrats Coach Whit.

A Lower Class.. | 8:09 a.m. Dec. 30, 2008

Wow, I actually thought that after the Cougs got wooped up on by TCU & Utah, then lost to a very average Pac-10 team in the annual "BYU; we shouldn't have lost those 2 games" Bowl Game, pathetic Cougar fans would disappear for a while. Not the case according to this message board. They are still foaming at the mouth with envy at their big brothers. Spreading their jealousy towards an article about the Ute coach getting a well-deserved pay hike? Really? How sad you have become. You have turned into the little brother who is constantly nibbling on big brothers coat tails, just hoping for some scraps. Maybe what they are really sharing is their regret for not getting their real choice for head coach, Whittingham. You're stuck with Preacher Mendenhall and his high horse, who is happy with football as this 5th priority. Either buck up the money to get rid of him, or face his reality that you should find other things to occupy your time than the annual over-hype machine down south.

Re: RE: Kyle W. | 7:39 a.m. | 8:19 a.m. Dec. 30, 2008

That's how I remember it too. Can you imagine...how BYU fans, the most arrogant fan base in the free world, must feel after being turned down by two of their own?? It's no wonder they are so bitter. What a slap in the face.

Re: Helen Waite | 10:45 p.m. | 8:38 a.m. Dec. 30, 2008

I understand your concern. However, we all have to stop and consider the fact that football and basketball are revenue generating programs for the Athletic Department. Most of the other sports programs, all of which are important to the University of Utah, consume revenue. Further, the athletic budget is not co-mingled with the education budget.

If we look closely at the terms of Coach Whittingham's contract, the base salary being paid is only $200,000. The $1 Million balance of Coach Whittingham's annual salary is being earned by working for and representing the university in the "sports" community. Coach Whittingham will represent the University of Utah well. In my view, the new arrangement is great for the University of Utah, Coach Whittingham, and the university's stakeholder...including the students.

Entitled | 8:42 a.m. Dec. 30, 2008

....that is how BYU has played since I can remember. That is why a BYU fan I am no more....(17 years and running) no accountability down there at all...just good livin'. Congrats K-Whit!

Anonymous | 8:48 a.m. Dec. 30, 2008

Whit > Bronco

It shows on the defense.
I heard BYU's slogan next year is the Quest for a defense.

Robert Anae runs the offense, what does Bronco do exactly? Run the firesides??

Whit has never lost a bowl game. None of his teams would have lost to that Arizona team that BYU lost too.

Whoa Nellie | 8:55 a.m. Dec. 30, 2008

Congratulations to Coach Whittingham and the Utah football program for another successful season. Luck or skill, they won 'em all this year.

As a long-time Cougar fan I was really hopeful that Kyle would choose BYU over Utah. Now after a few years of observing Mendenhall's program I am happy that BYU ended up with him. Kyle is a good coach, no doubt, and seems to be the best fit for Utah. But Bronco seems to be what BYU needed and for that I'm glad Kyle chose Utah.

I would bet that if Kyle were asked where football ranked on his list of priorities it would not be first or second and probably not third. He seems to have his priorities right, at least since his blunder during the Wyoming game last year.

Some of the readers of this article need to understand that coaches' salaries/compensation is mostly paid for by sources other than university funds. Football programs pay for most other athletic programs, including scholarship funds, at every school that has a good football program.

To all the hateful Ute and Cougar fans, good luck with coming to grips with reality. Remember, the best team usually wins.

Roll Tide!

Bender Rodriguez | 9:00 a.m. Dec. 30, 2008

re: Prediction | 4:08 p.m. Dec. 29, 2008

>>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"? >>By the way..do the taxpayers in Utah pay anything towards the Yewts expenses?<<

I believe its as much Bronco gets from your tithing $. Seriously, The U is a public institution/state owned. What do you think?

Frank Castle | 9:02 a.m. Dec. 30, 2008

re: Yewts 2009 schedule soft | 4:40 p.m. Dec. 29, 2008

The Y couldn't crack the BCS w/ a featherweight schedule this year and you expect a miracle in '09?

Zoobs make Cubs fans seem rational.

I love it! | 9:02 a.m. Dec. 30, 2008

Ute fans making outlandish posts on here in the name of being a "BYU fan" and then the other ute fans lashing out at these "ridiculous BYU Fans" which are obvious posing Ute fans. I think it is hilarious. The Utes create the image of a "negative BYU image" just to get their base all riled up at BYU.

Then you get a real BYU fan who is more pragmatic, compliment Kyle. I for one am happy for him. Get what you can Kyle. Pay your tithing and BYU still benefits from all its alumni (and just the general membership-even Ute mormon folks) all over the world as the success of each increases tithing which increases money to BYU. GO KYLE. GO ALL OF BYU Alumni whereever you are! Go Ute mormons! Be as successful as you can and as successful as you want where ever you are. The Y is routing for you! Thanks for the $$$$ support!

Love,
LDS Church and BYU

Anonymous | 9:24 a.m. Dec. 30, 2008

I love this article. It just rubs Bronco's face in it!

Go Utes!

To Bronco Mendenhall | 9:27 a.m. Dec. 30, 2008

You see what real football coaches make! If you want to continue being a seminary teacher for your team, you will continue getting paide like a seminary teacher. As soon as you are ready to become a Football Coach, then you can get paide like one!

Thanks for setting a good example, Kyle Whittingham!

attilathehun | 9:29 a.m. Dec. 30, 2008

I know Coach Whittingham has the fat new contract and an undefeated Ute team in the Sugar Bowl, but BYU is winning where it really counts-- Bronco hasn't lost a fireside yet. So there.

Henry Drummond | 9:35 a.m. Dec. 30, 2008

Wasn't Bronco signed to a new contract recently?

Rememeber | 9:39 a.m. Dec. 30, 2008

Ron McBride

DID raise the level of Utah football to at least the level of BYU

DID out recruit the Y. The talent was huge but somewhat unused.

DID take the Utes to bowl games and levels previously unvisited at Utah for football

DID NOT manage his team and talent well and was shown the door. But he left a legacy and was the first mentor that taught Kyle some huge lessons. Then came Urban Meyer and his legacy. Each gave Kyle what he needs from different styles to be successful. BYU has their beliefs and values and a coach that fits them. Bronco and his team have yet to prove themselves on the highest stages and in their own way mirror Ron McBride's teams. Sorry Y fans have so much angst right now (not really) and good luck with your cool schedule next year.

My wish for the new year is a great showing at the Sugar Bowl and perhaps a time when McBride will return to Utah as a recruiting coordinator. Both would bode well for the future of the premier football program of the MWC.

GO UTES !!!!!!!!

Cougar Fan | 10:01 a.m. Dec. 30, 2008

Way to go Wittingham, you've done a great job at the U and represent your church and alma mater well at the same time. Kudos.

Boise Cougar (With A Brain) | 10:10 a.m. Dec. 30, 2008

I'm one Cougar fan that wants to say CONGRATS to the U and Kyle! I get a great deal of humor from both the Ute and Cougar posters who just can't bring themselves to find the good in each other. I LOVE that our rival is as quality as they are. Yes, my Cougs WAY underperformed this season and with OU and FSU we will probably be a better performing team next season but still end up 10-3. We won't beat TCU.

The bottom line - the U has some extremely quality kids and coaches who represent the state, the Church, and this rivalry very well. Whit will earn every penny of his five year deal from the bowl game revenues alone. Remember when we used our share of the Ute's first BCS game to pay off Crowton and his staff? Thanks Utes, at least our share this time will actually go to the program rather than departing coaches.

I'll be rooting for the Utes HARD on the 2nd and any Cougar fan with an ounce of intelligence will be too. And let's not get too excited about revenge next season. Louks can run and running QBs kill us.

dude | 10:21 a.m. Dec. 30, 2008

I don't know why you zoobs are so upset. Ten percent of that $1.2 million is going to your football program.

Beat the deadline! | 10:33 a.m. Dec. 30, 2008

Good job Kyle! Got it done before Friday.
P.S. In a directly related story, celebratory party at Sundance for all BYU fans tonight.

dude, you're dead wrong | 11:43 a.m. Dec. 30, 2008

The only way 10 percent of Whittingham's salary would go to the BYU football program is if he drove down there and handed it to Tom Holmoe, because they won't get it from tithing funds. Everyone knows that the BYU football program is self-sufficient and does not receive funding from BYU budgets (i.e. tithing funds). And that includes coaches' salaries.

Dude, don't post drivel you know nothing of.

Chris | 11:44 a.m. Dec. 30, 2008

I'm a life-long BYU fan (and U-grad!)that was dissappointed that we didn't get Kyle and think he's a far superior coach than Bronco. The Utes were smart in upping Kyle's pay to keep him, I'm just sad that Ludwig is gone, with him around the Y. always had hope!

Here's to the Cougs winning 2 of the last 3 MWC championships and clearing space for next year's trophy!

Good to hear | 12:00 p.m. Dec. 30, 2008

That turncoat got what he deserves. Benedict Whit should have his BYU degree taken from him. Remember what happened last year when you started out slow how quickly the fans turned on you Whit? Benedict will not play out his contract. 3 years tops at the U. Next year the Utes will be declining again.

Anonymous | 4:36 p.m. Dec. 30, 2008

Re: Kyle W.... | 5:28 p.m. | 6:52 p.m. Dec. 29, 2008
"...a classy person educated at BYU."

Agreed. A first class guy who would rather beat BYU than work for them.

OR, LOSE TO THEM 2 of the PAST 3 YEARS.

WSU Cougar | 4:40 p.m. Dec. 30, 2008

Utah 12-0 Ranked 6th only undefeated team,TCU 11-2 Ranked 11th only 11 better records, BYU 10-3 Ranked 16th only 13 better records.

A great year for the MWC! I am proud of all the young men that played this year and the Coaches that coached them.

BYU Fans R A JOKE | 6:11 p.m. Dec. 30, 2008

Take shots a Utah's coach, team, fans all you want. Utah Utes did beat BYU, TCU, Oregon State, Michigan, etc, They did go 12-0, they did win the MTN WEST Conf, They are going to the Sugar Bowl, They are getting the press, They do have the best coach.

It is not hard to find all the excuses and what could have happened, You loaded up the minivans and went to Vegas, AGAIN, Big Deal----BYU is nothing

To anonymous 4:36 | 11:21 p.m. Dec. 30, 2008

Actually, over the past four years the Utes and Cougars are tied, 2-2. You might as well count all the games since Coach Whittingham was made head coach.

I predict the Utah program will continue to grow and improve under Kyle Whittingham.

Love Whitt but..... | 11:40 p.m. Dec. 30, 2008

it will be hard to be happy for him when I know that as a staff member at the U we won't be getting raises this year and will watch our retirement, benefits, and overall happiness go down the tubes. Come on Mike Young do the right thing and help us out. Your buddy Loris Betts will be getting his usual bonus why not share some wealth with the rest of us?

yewts | 10:35 a.m. Dec. 31, 2008

Kyle needs to be given all the kudos possiable. However one million plus a year, are you kidding!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

How much cash do they give to the University president? how much does coach Marsden make?

Lets remember, a large amount of these salaries come from tax monies.

yewts | 10:35 a.m. | 11:21 a.m. Dec. 31, 2008

"Lets remember, a large amount of these salaries come from tax monies."

Now there's a post from someone who has no idea what they are talking about but acts like he knows.

Tax dollars DO NOT support the athletic program at the University of Utah. However, football and basketball revenues support the other sports sponsored at the U and that's where the investment must be made. If those two programs are successful, the Athletic Department will grow.

Nice try, Mike.

another smart Idaho Spud | 2:35 p.m. Dec. 31, 2008

Congrats to Whit! To all of you complaining about the 1.2, are you freaking kidding me? The BCS appearance alone will bring 14 million to the U and MWC and most of his money is being paid by sponsors and endorsements. And these days 1.2 is not a lot for a good coach with a winning program. Both the U and BYU are great teams with good coaches and I hope they are always 1&2 in the MWC and always fighting for a BCS bid. The football programs pay for a lot at all Universities, so take the emotions out and lets hope that both schools continue to have huge success. Go Cougars in 09! Go Utes on the 2nd. A win would be HUGE for the MWC. Now we just need to get Boise State in the MWC and get us an automatic BCS bid! It's worth dreaming, right?

Tennesse Ute | 8:41 a.m. Jan. 9, 2009

Having spent the last 10 years of my life in Tennessee in the middle of SEC country. It is good to see that the fans of the two schools which were both started by Brigham Young are still at odds with each other. Utah will always be first in the heart of Brigham Young.

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