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Who is Morgan Scalley? What to know of Utah coach replacing Kyle Whittingham
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- Who is Morgan Scalley? What to know of Utah coach replacing Kyle Whittingham
Utah football will embark on a new era when Morgan Scalley leads the Utes into the Las Vegas Bowl against Nebraska on Wednesday, Dec. 31.
Scalley, who was named Utah's coach-in-waiting in 2023, is replacing Kyle Whittingham after the latter announced he was stepping down from the program after the season (before getting hired by Michigan football ). Whittingham had led Utah from 2005 through 2025.
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REQUIRED READING: Michigan football hires Utah's Kyle Whittingham as coach
The 46-year-old former defensive coordinator has big shoes to fill, as Whittingham was the second-longest tenured coach in college football behind Iowa 's Kirk Ferentz. Whittingham replaced Urban Meyer, a three-time national championship-winning coach at Florida and Ohio State .
"Being a part of the Utah football program was a childhood dream of mine that has turned into an incredible 25-year journey that I am blessed to say is continuing," Scalley said in Utah's announcement after being announced as head coach on Dec. 13.
Here's what to know of Scalley, who's leading Utah for the first time as head coach on Dec. 31.
Who is Morgan Scalley?
Scalley, Utah's next head coach, is a Ute through and through.
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Scalley, born in Salt Lake City, was a defensive back at Utah from 2000-04, winning Mountain West Defensive Player of the Year and being named a second-team All-American as a senior. He finished his career with eight interceptions and led Utah to a BCS bowl, becoming the first non-Power program to reach such a bowl.
He then started his career as a coach at Utah in 2006, rising from graduate assistant to safeties coach. He was promoted to defensive coordinator and safeties coach in 2016 and has held the position since. Scalley was coached as a player by Whittingham, who was Utah's defensive coordinator from 1995-2004. Scalley has been an assistant under Whittingham for his entire coaching career.
Scalley's defenses have been impressive since he took over play-calling duties, with his unit in 2025 ranking 16th in scoring defense (18.7 points per game) and No. 5 in passing efficiency. He was a 2019 finalist for the Broyles Award — given to the top assistant in college football — after the Utes ' defense ranked No. 2 nationally in total defense.
Thirty-three players he coached have been drafted into the NFL, including former first-round pick linebacker Devin Lloyd . He also coached NFL standouts Eric Rowe , Marcus Williams and Jaylon Johnson , among others.
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Scalley said he's learning on the go ahead of the Las Vegas Bowl, but he has embraced the challenge.
"I'm fired up," Scalley told reporters on Dec. 26 in Las Vegas. "I'm excited. I mean, there's going to be learning on the go. At the same time, I have complete trust in our coaching staff and our players. They're locked in. They're dialed in."
Morgan Scalley racial slur controversy
Scalley's first amendment as Utah's coach-in-waiting was rescinded in 2020 after an external investigation showed he texted a racial slur in 2013. Scalley was suspended by the program and he was later reinstated before regaining the amendment as coach-in-waiting to his contract in 2023.
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"I am truly sorry, and I own up to the hurtful effects of my choice," Scalley said in 2020. "Through my actions and words going forward, I will demonstrate that my use of that slur in 2013 does not reflect or define who I am or what I stand for. My action is indefensible and I will use my voice and position to bring about meaningful and much-needed change."
Morgan Scalley contract
Scalley was the ninth-highest paid assistant in college football in 2024 making $2 million per year, according to USA TODAY Sports' assistant coaches salaries database.
The details of his contract as head coach are unclear.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Who is coaching Utah in Las Vegas Bowl? What to know of Morgan Scalley
