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FRISCO, Texas — Last year was not acceptable for the University of Utah.
Yes, there were things out of the program’s control — like a rash of injuries, including to quarterback Cam Rising — but overall, last year’s 5-7 record left a bad taste in coach Kyle Whittingham’s mouth.
“It was disappointing, to say the least. It’s not who we have been traditionally, not who we are, but that’s the way the season went, so there’s no excuses,” Whittingham said from the main stage at The Star, home of the Dallas Cowboys’ practice facility, on Wednesday afternoon.
With backup quarterbacks playing during the majority of the season, the Utes’ offense averaged just 329.8 yards and 23.6 points per game. Despite a defense that kept them in every game but two, Utah’s offense could not produce enough to win, game after game.
Sweeping changes had to be made after the third losing season of Whittingham’s 20-year tenure at the helm of the program.
Some of those changes started during the 2024 season, when offensive coordinator Andy Ludwig stepped down after a 13-7 loss at home against TCU, which dropped the Utes to 1-3 in Big 12 play.
Over the offseason, more change came — wide receivers coach Alvis Whitted and running backs coach Quinton Ganther moved out, and the Utes started afresh on offense, with only offensive line coach Jim Harding and tight ends coach Freddie Whittingham remaining.
Utah hired New Mexico’s Jason Beck as the program’s offensive coordinator, and Beck brought over Micah Simon (wide receivers coach), Koy Detmer Jr. (offensive analyst and quarterbacks) from Albuquerque. Then the Utes added Mark Atuaia, Washington State’s running backs coach.
The makeover didn’t just stop at the coaching staff; it extended to the roster, where Utah added 13 new offensive players, including New Mexico…
Source link : https://www.deseret.com/sports/2025/07/09/what-kyle-whittingham-said-about-utahs-offense/
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Publish date : 2025-07-09 22:33:00
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