Utah head coach Morgan Scalley is leading an undefeated season, but he recently took time to address the struggles of his mentor, Kyle Whittingham, who now coaches the Michigan Wolverines.
Scalley, whose team holds a 9-0 record and the longest winning streak in the FBS at 15 games, spoke about Whittingham during an interview on The Triple Option podcast, as reported by Yahoo Sports.
Whittingham, who spent 21 years at Utah, is currently 5-4 in his first season at Michigan following a recent loss to Michigan State.
Scalley expressed deep gratitude for his predecessor, noting that Whittingham was instrumental in his professional development.
“He gave me every opportunity I’ve had in coaching,” Scalley stated during the podcast interview.
The Utah coach acknowledged that the profession is results-driven but emphasized that Whittingham remains an exceptional leader.
“I am feeling for what he’s going through,” Scalley added regarding the current situation at Michigan.
Scalley served on Whittingham’s staff for 18 seasons before taking over the program in Salt Lake City.
When Whittingham departed for Michigan in December 2024, most of the Utah coaching staff followed him, leaving Scalley to rebuild his team with a smaller group of original assistants.
Despite the turnover, Utah has maintained its momentum, while Whittingham faces a difficult transition period in the Big Ten.
According to Gridiron Heroics, Michigan has secured notable wins against Oklahoma and Penn State but has also suffered losses to Iowa, Minnesota, Indiana, and Michigan State.
Scalley reiterated that his own career success is tied directly to the guidance he received from his former boss.
“I would not be here in this seat if it wasn’t for Kyle Whittingham,” Scalley said in comments shared on social media.
As the season nears its conclusion, Utah continues its Big 12 schedule while Whittingham prepares for the final three games of his inaugural campaign in Ann Arbor.