Kyle Whittingham is returning for the 2025 season.
In a social media post made by the Utah football account on X, the Ute head coach released a two-word statement that put an end to speculation on his plans.
“I’m back,” Utah’s head coach said in a post that borrowed from the infamous fax Michael Jordan’s agent sent in 1995 to announce his client’s return to the NBA.
The U. later deleted that post and updated the quote to read, “We are back in 2025.”
Whittingham has been the Utes' head coach for 20 seasons after taking over for Urban Meyer in 2004.
Whittingham once said he did not intend to coach past the age of 65. While he has backtracked from that statement in recent years, his 65th birthday in November combined with the Utes' struggles on the field last season led to increased speculation about a possible retirement.
The coach said he would make his decision only on what he thought would be best for the program.
“It’s about what’s best for the program,” he said last month. “My decision will be dictated based on that, not to time it just right. ...
“I’m not saying, ‘Well, this was a bad year. So for me, I got to come back and have a better year.’ I mean, everyone wants to have a better year next year, regardless of who the coach is, and, and like I said, it’s just an evaluation process from me and my family to decide what’s best, and I just continue to emphasize (that I’m) putting the program first. And whatever puts the program in the best situation, that’s the decision I’ll make.”
Whittingham also said last month that he still felt like he could continue to do the job at a high level.
“As far as energy, I feel great. ... The season’s been a beatdown mentally, but physically and just day to day, I have plenty of plenty of gas left in the tank,” he said.
Utah went 5-7 last season, during a campaign that Whittingham called the most difficult of his career. The U. suffered through a seven-game losing streak for the first time during the Whittingham era. It was also the Utes' first sub .500 finish since 2013, when they went 5-7 and had a five-game losing streak.
Utah’s struggles came this season, in part, due to its inconsistencies on offense and a slew of injuries suffered by seventh-year quarterback Cam Rising. The U. ranked second to last in the Big 12 in total offense, averaging 329.8 yards per game and 23.6 points per game.
Whittingham hired New Mexico’s Jason Beck as the program’s next offensive coordinator on Thursday. It’s now his job to solve the Utes' offensive issues after he helped lead the fourth-ranked offense in the nation with the Lobos this season.
Utah has a tough task ahead to rebuild its offense after three quarterbacks — Brandon Rose, Isaac Wilson and Sam Huard — announced their entrance into the NCAA Transfer Portal, which is set to open on Monday, Dec. 9 and close on Dec. 28.
The Utes are still awaiting a decision from Rising, who is mulling a potential return for an eighth season of eligibility. With Whittingham’s decision finalized, however, Utah will have a clear direction when it comes to leadership for a 21st season.
