Utah football has a remarkable track record under Kyle Whittingham. During his 20 years as head coach, there have been only three losing seasons. This showcases his exceptional leadership and coaching skills. (Photo by Kevin Abele/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Whittingham's Return and the Memo

After raising some uncertainty about his return for the 21st season, Whittingham made his intentions crystal clear in a memo. His simple message, "I'm back," showed his sense of humor. It's a reference that might remind some of Michael Jordan's famous return announcement. Just like Jordan sent a fax to media outlets in 1995 with those words, Whittingham used a similar approach. And instead of the typical "-30-" to end articles, he used "-21-" to signify the 21st season he'll coach in Salt Lake City next year.

Season Overview

This season, Utah finished 5–7 in its first year in the Big 12. It was only the third losing campaign during Whittingham's tenure. Over 20 full seasons in Salt Lake City, he has compiled an outstanding 167–86 record since taking over from Urban Meyer in 2004. There have been seven seasons with 10-plus wins and 17 seasons with a winning record. In 2008, he led Utah to a 13–0 season that ended with a victory over Alabama in the Sugar Bowl. This demonstrates his ability to consistently lead the team to success.

Defensive Coordinator and the Future

Morgan Scalley is the designated head coach in waiting and is set to replace Whittingham when he retires. Whittingham indicated that Scalley was part of his decision-making process in returning. This shows the trust and confidence he has in Scalley. It also highlights the importance of having a smooth transition in place.

New Offensive Coordinator

Earlier this week, Whittingham hired Jason Beck as Utah's new offensive coordinator. Beck has a diverse coaching background, having served as the OC and quarterbacks coach for New Mexico this season. Prior to that, he had assistant coaching stints at Syracuse, Virginia, and BYU. The Utes finished No. 115 in the nation in total offense, and Beck's appointment is expected to bring a new energy and strategy to the offense.