Scalley once again named HC in waiting.

[Utesbyfive]

Sources: Utah is naming defensive coordinator Morgan Scalley as the successor to longtime coach Kyle Whittingham. Scalley will make at least $5 million per year as head coach when he’s elevated, per his latest contract. There’s no set timetable for Whittingham to leave. pic.twitter.com/aVZZRiYI8L

— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) July 1, 2024

[MDUte]

Awesome news…so great to see!! Thanks for posting this!

[Central Coast Ute]

Good news. I’m happy for him and think he’ll be successful. The first few years might be a little bit bumpy like they were with Whitt, but with Whitt sticking around in an advisory role, it should go as smoothly as it possibly could.

[UteNamedOg]

Can’t go wrong with blitzing on third and 15

[Tony (admin)]

Utah Utes Article

[concerned]

You have to think this means (1) scalley was getting offers elsewhere or (2) Whit has indicated privately that he is going to retitre in a year or two, or both.

Given that next year is a quasi rebuilding year, I could see him hanging it up next winter.

[MDUte]

Yes good call, and he was. Steve Bartle confirmed that this was agreed to earlier in the year when SC/Lincoln Riley was pursuing Scalley to be their DC. Interesting that they’ve waited until now to make his new contract public.

Good to see this official and out in the open now. This was actually agreed to much earlier in the year when Scalley was being pursued rather heavily by USC and others. https://t.co/ogrmf1dF6s

— Steve Bartle (@SBartle247) July 1, 2024

[MDUte]

And here’s some more interesting news about Scalley’s contract. Depending on when he is promoted to HC, Scalley already has his annual salary worked out. IMO, this answers the question/concern that Whitt must be retiring after this year. Because they’ve worked it out where the longer Whitt decides to coach, the higher Scalley’s salary gets increased to account for this. Whitt still might end up hanging it up after this year, but it appears to me that everything is in place for Whitt to make the call whenever he wants.

Here's the official clause in Morgan Scalley's contract designating him as the coach in waiting.

Scalley's salary when Whitt announces:
Today – 1/15/25: $5M
1/16/25 – 1/15/26: $5.1M
1/16/26 – 1/15/27: $5.2M
1/16/27 – 1/15/28: $5.3M
After 1/16/28: $5.4M pic.twitter.com/CIKwiunX13

— Josh Furlong (@JFurKSL) July 1, 2024

[Central Coast Ute]

Scalley is smarter than that. Obviously, he’ll use it as leverage for more money and getting the coach in waiting title back. But hitching his wagon to Lincoln Riley would be a bone headed move at this point. Maybe they’ll turn things around down there, but I’ve heard rumors that Kiel McDonald is having buyers remorse.

[concerned]

Lets hope this is not the curse of Phil Bengsten

[Ute in Chatt]

I’m super excited for Morgan Scalley. He has done a great job of following Whit’s defensive genius. I think it is a great move and shows consistency in an age of volatility at all levels.

[MDUte]

(For lurking Zoobs from ClownBoard)I love seeing Utah taxpayer dollars being put to the best possible use!! $7M to Whitt, $2.5M to Lud, $2M to Scalley…love it!!We need to get the Utah Athletics Utah County Tax increase passed to funnel more tax dollars to our state’s flagship university! Best money spent!!

[SLC-UteFan]

(For lurking Zoobs from ClownBoard)I love seeing Utah taxpayer dollars being put to the best possible use!! $7M to Whitt, $2.5M to Lud, $2M to Scalley…love it!!We need to get the Utah Athletics Utah County Tax increase passed to funnel more tax dollars to our state’s flagship university! Best money spent!!

Completely agree. An investment in Utah football is an investment in the University of Utah, which is an investment in the state of Utah.

Utah’s jump to the Pac-12 brought enormous benefits to the university and therefore to the state of Utah. And, I don’t have the numbers, but I do remember hearing/reading about how just playing in the Rose Bowl resulted in increased interest in the university from outside the state of Utah.

Tax dollars well spent, regardless of what low-IQ opinions on CougarBoard say (I haven’t lurked there so I am not aware of what nonsense they are spewing, but I can only imagine!)

[AlohaUte]

Good move for recruiting. I’m confident that our competitors for croots are using the likelihood of Whit retiring against us. Knowing that there’s a succession plan and stability will be a big deal. It isn’t better than Whitt bing here for the next 10 years with confidence, but better than having to go through a whole coaching search and upending the program.

[NashvilleUte]

It’s nice to have this confirmed again, but it’s not even remotely surprising. I’d have been absolutely shocked if he didn’t become our next HC with or without this announcement.

The important question is who will be his coordinators? It’s pretty much a sure thing that when Whitt retires so will Ludwig. Maybe Harding? Maybe someone currently outside the program? Who replaces him at D Coordinator? Don’t know… I wouldn’t be opposed to Sitake returning. I keep hearing how the Zoobs think he’s the reason they suck (he’s not). Plus it would be nice to rub it in their faces if he comes back and is successful again. I really don’t see it happening, but I wouldn’t be opposed to it either.

[MDUte]

I think I’d prefer to see Scalley poach Jay Hill to come back to Utah since the Zoobs all have their hopes pinned on him replacing Sitake.

[Central Coast Ute]

My guess is Coach Shah moves to the DC. Just a guess.

[ukiyoronin]

That would make a lot of sense. He’s awesome.

[SLC-UteFan]

My guess is Swan.

[Sanders]

He’s been around long enough that he probably already has his assistant coaches hand picked. Those private conversations have already been made.

[OldAsDirtUte]

CBSSPORTS

[Author]

Posts