Kyle Whittingham close to new deal with Utes

by JazzyUte on Dec 11, 2011 7:07 PM MST in Football

The Salt Lake Tribune is reporting that Kyle Whittingham and Utah are close to a new deal that will pay him a base salary of $2 million a year, though that number does not include incentives.

Whittingham had been linked heavily to the Arizona State job, though with this new deal in the works, it seems unlikely he's Tempe Bound.

Because of this new development, I'm happy to report we are now moving down to WHITCON 4. We'll remain there until a deal is signed, and hopefully that comes this week.

Tweet Comment 23 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Great news.

I hope Coach Whit retires at Utah after a long and successful career.

by Ute in DC on Dec 11, 2011 7:15 PM MST reply actions

Thank the Lord!

Whit is the man! I’m so glad to hear this! I was so damn nervous. Go Utes! Utah man am I!

by Carter Crosland on Dec 11, 2011 7:16 PM MST reply actions

No surprise

All this discussion over Whitt leaving for ASU or PSU was simply posturing. Getting more money from the U.

I’m not gonna criticize Whitt for doing so. That’s just how the game is played. Get everything you can, while you can. Absolutely.

I’m very happy that Utah’s willing to pony up the cash to keep him. Because if Whitt leaves, I don’t think there are any candidates out there besides Dan Mullen that I would like to see here.

Sorry ASU. Sorry PSU.

He’s ours.

I don't read the script. The script reads me.

by TomahawkRed on Dec 11, 2011 7:41 PM MST reply actions

This says miles about our program's attitude.

I am happy to cheer for a program that is taking itself seriously enough to do what it takes to keep a winning coach.

by jim2 on Dec 11, 2011 10:30 PM MST up reply actions

Dirty one percenters!

No, football coaches are always on borrowed time. One bad season and you’re done. Need to build up that nest egg when people still like you and don’t want to run you out of town.

by Skeptical Dawg on Dec 11, 2011 10:58 PM MST up reply actions

For one thing, fans in the state aren’t like that, we seem to be pretty patient and willing to give coaches the benefit of the doubt. Bronco Mendenhall would have been fired by bigger programs for his lack of success against Utah recently, but fans here are just willing to take a little more time to let things develop.

Secondly, I think the bigwigs at the U know exactly how lucky they are to have Whit, and Whit knows how lucky he is to have Utah. He’s not going anywhere.

I think Whit would need to string together 3 or 4 sub .500 seasons before it became a genuine consideration. One bad season, he’ll ask for time to rebuild, and the fans and staff at the U would give it to him. He certainly has earned that much.

by Joseph Silverzweig on Dec 13, 2011 10:04 AM MST up reply actions

Yeah, I agree. Jerry Sloan got a lifetime gig with the Jazz. Many NBA teams would have fired him long before he retired because he never won a title.

by Ute in DC on Dec 13, 2011 1:14 PM MST up reply actions

A story with attribution

Having quotes from Utah’s Senior Deputy Athletic Director is much more credible than an unnamed “source” that hack Craig Morgan from AZ FOX was trying to pass off as a story.

by UteinBrooklyn on Dec 11, 2011 8:02 PM MST reply actions

Which was the only source out there that indicated Whittingham had interest...

Every other report pretty much confirmed ASU had interest, but that doesn’t mean a whole lot to me.

by JazzyUte on Dec 11, 2011 8:04 PM MST up reply actions

The Internet age of journalism.

One hack has a “source” and it spreads like wildfire.

by UteinBrooklyn on Dec 11, 2011 8:06 PM MST reply actions

I hope

That he would use this to get more money for his assistants than for himself.

by BBKiks on Dec 11, 2011 8:11 PM MST via iPhone app reply actions

Liz was quoted saying their negotiations for the additional money happened two weeks ago. Things could have changed with recent developments. Still it was good to see Kyle talking about recruiting and new facilities just yesterday.

by UteinBrooklyn on Dec 11, 2011 8:16 PM MST reply actions

I don't think Liz would've even commented if the changes were negative...

My guess is they’re still hashing out the minor details.

She, and the athletic department, is not going to put themselves out like that if they weren’t convinced he would sign.

by JazzyUte on Dec 11, 2011 8:32 PM MST up reply actions

If he left...

Fortunately I think we are safe and Whit won’t leave but…a possible future Ute coach could be Mike McCoy, Denver’s O Coordinator. I still fondly remember his pass to Kevin Dyson in the 94 Freedom Bowl.

by utahmariner on Dec 11, 2011 8:22 PM MST reply actions

Funny you mention mike mccoy

He was a good friend of my brother’s while living in Austin Hall. Great guy and hopefully he comes back to utah someday to coach

by uteusmc on Dec 11, 2011 9:16 PM MST via mobile up reply actions

Thankful for Whit This Christmas!

Whit being interested in the ASU job didn’t really make sense from the get go. It was still a little nerve racking though. It seems at this point this was merely a negotiation tactic. It will be interesting to see what sort of escalation rate and bonuses were negotiated assuming his extension is signed early next week. Like Jazzy though, I’m not going to start celebrating until the contract is signed.

by SHUte on Dec 11, 2011 8:37 PM MST reply actions

Great news, pay the man what he wants.

"The only good is knowledge and the only evil is ignorance."-Socrates

by slc ranger on Dec 11, 2011 9:07 PM MST reply actions

Not surprised

that Whitt is staying. He has no NE ties and following JoePa at Penn State would be terrible.

ASU is not a better job, glad he is staying.

Follow me on twitter! | Mountain West Connection | SB Nation Denver

by Jeremy Mauss on Dec 11, 2011 9:14 PM MST reply actions

Nothing's been signed yet

When the ink is drying on a contract, then celebrate.

Go Cuse. Go Utes. Go Kings (hockey version). Go Panthers (hockey version). Go Marlins. Go Dodgers. I despise the NFL and NBA, so don't bore me.

by LeftCoastMan on Dec 12, 2011 11:00 AM MST up reply actions

If Whitt were to leave...

I would want us to look at a current coach that formerly had direct ties to the Kyle Whittingham program. I would go after a Dan Mullen (unlikely to leave), or a Gary Anderson (who would definitely leave Utah State for the head job at Utah). However, Coach isn’t leaving anytime soon, so I don’t think that we will have to worry. IMO, the next coach after Whittingham (if he ever leaves) is already part of the current staff. My bets would probably be a Morgan Scalley or Brian Johnson hire. Of course, this is looking years down the road. I think that Kyle still has another 15-20 years in him as our coach if he wants.

by pappyman on Dec 12, 2011 1:08 AM MST reply actions