Okay folks.. the witching hour is here. As of tomorrow whittingham has to give his answer to stay or go. So since I don’t have any idea how to put an actual pole on this board, I figured we’d all just go ahead and make our prognostications here under our own names.
I honestly think he’ll stay, simply because of the frustration of getting so close to qualifying for the playoff this year. As well as seeing seven or eight former Utes on the BYU staff including sitake make it right up to the very edge with a chance to win the conference championship.
He’s a competitive guy, and I can honestly see him feeling like he can’t let all of them actually achieve that and not give it at least one more really good try himself.
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I will bet a gold Doubloon (should I ever have one) he stays.
I think he’s competitive and wants the title and is happy - for the most part - with the offense. It seems if we can keep the QB’s and not loose to many players. It also seems like he was having fun. I mean, these guys make more $$$ in a year than many of us will never make in our lives. I think at some point, the money only matters for the “value” of their brand. Otherwise, they were highly motivated players and then highly motivated and disciplined coaches their whole life.
They really don’t relish watching the landscapers all day…
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My money is on him staying
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I think he goes. He’s had an excellent run. He and Jaime are going to start travelling and see the world.
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He’s been an excellent coach for Utah. Very classy guy with lots of integrity. I think he will retire.
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The game has changed and it’s clear he doesn’t love this era.
That being said I don’t think we have “improvement” waiting in the wings nor do we have 10m a year to acquire it so I hope he stays one more year. I honestly have no clue what he will do today but I’d love to see him keep Beck and Dampier and Ficklin and find out what is possible with a 10+ win building year under their belt.
I’m not “predicting that” because I’m a jinx. Just hoping.
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Six weeks ago, I thought it was a done deal that Kyle would hang it up this year. Now, I’m leaning very much the opposite direction.
Question for those out here, who are much better connected with Utah’s program: How long do you think Morgan Scalley will be content to remain as “head coach in waiting?” I know that he’s Utah to the core, but still wonder if he’s nearing a point of being tired of that role. In saying that, I have great respect for him, more than Kyle, and can see him being with Kalani what Ron McBride was with Lavell: A professional colleague who joins in returning the rivalry more to what it was when those two icons met each year. I hope so.
Second, many years ago, someone told me that knowing when to get out is as important as knowing what you’ll do after you get out. As my own time to call it a career approaches, I’ve come to appreciate the wisdom in both of those observations. I wonder if Kyle’s competitiveness will cloud his view of the former (he’s got the latter nailed down).
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If Whittingham stays and that impacts Scalley or forces him to look elsewhere for a HC job, I will be very upset about that.
I do know that Scalley has kids in high school and is very ensconced in their community (my kids go to school with them). That is a rough time to uproot your kids, and so it would seem likely he stays too, maybe begrudgingly.
I’m super grateful for Whittingham, he is a legend and we’ve been so fortunate to have him, but I personally hope he hangs it up. I honestly think that he’s reached whatever he is going to reach. I do believe that Scalley can pick up the torch and keep things rolling, from the culture to strategy, but I also think he can solve the things that have held Whit back.
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I believe he stays. Having lost 3 in a row to byu would leave a bad taste in his mouth. Hopefully we don’t lose Scalley over it.
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Yeah I see Coach Scalley at HS events all the time. He is very involved in the community. I have chatted with him a few times and he strikes me as a Utah lifer. Not everyone is about chasing more and more money or bigger titles. Scalley seems like a guy who is content to give his all to whatever position he is in and is not one to chase opportunities.
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He should win bowl games just as much. Have we plateued?
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it also has to be said that his daughter goes to BYU. just sayin
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Someone give him a cookie
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oh i think byu can pay with a lot more than cookies these days
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Yeah, and it is leaving a bad taste in everyone’s mouth. So, on brand.
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There’s a story, possibly apocryphal, that after the 2009 OT loss to BYU Kyle vowed he would never lose to BYU again. For nine straight games, he got his wish. In particular, I remember him saying, after the 20-13 win in 2013 that “our seniors have never lost to BYU, and our juniors and sophomores never will.” That struck me as suggestive of such a vow.
I can see him not wanting to leave with three straight losses, given his competitive personality, which isn’t bad, per say, just who he is, along with plenty of other coaches. However, if that’s his main reason for continuing to coach, what if three becomes four? Then what?
It brings to mind Captain Ahab and Moby Dick.
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“everyone” - except maybe the players and coaches - and fans of any other of the schools paying market rates for their players and coaches.
Utah is paying NIL too and looks to be doing great with it. I guess “everyone” though means a certain group of fans who just liked it better when BYU didn’t have big TV money and they did.
The reason i even hopped on and mentioned Scalley having a kid at BYU is just to bring up how ridiculous the framing of the BYU and Utah distinctions usually are. Like I wonder what he thinks is “on brand” re: BYU and if he agrees with your assessment?
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byu sports has had a month and not in a good way
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The media discipline around this yesterday was amazing.
Honestly. It’s something you simply never see anymore anywhere.
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