Kyle Whittingham breaks silence on injury mismanagement allegations at Utah
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Michigan football coach Kyle Whittingham responded to accusations from former Utah Utes players that they felt pressured by the Utes coaches to play through injuries. The longtime coach appeared on Tuesday's edition of the Dan Patrick Show to explain his stance for the first time since the bombshell article from the Salt Lake Tribune last week.
"Never in my career have I ever tried to sway, influence — whatever the word is — our medical staff, wherever I've been." Whittingham said. "We listen to the medical staff, if they say a player is available, we go with that,"
Whittingham then defended his record at Utah, saying this wasn't brought to his attention before the article was published.
"I'm not sure where this came from, just how it ever materialized, but never in my career have we ever crossed the line of trying to override a medical decision by our medical staff," Whittingham added.
As many as six former Utah players have questioned how Utah suffered their injuries during their time with the program from 2020-2024.
Edge rusher Van Fillinger, wide receiver Mycah Pittman, running back Jaylon Glover, tight end Miki Suguturaga, defensive lineman Tevita Fitu and one anonymous player claimed Whittingham and his staff pushed them out on the field. In some cases, players said their injuries were misdiagnosed by team doctors. The bombshell report sheds light on the ugly side of trying to compete at the highest levels.
Another name not listed was quarterback Brandon Rose, who played through a serious football injury after the Holy War with BYU in 2024. A tweet by his mother Lorilyn Rose claimed he was given pain meds to stay out on the field.
"Brandon will be having surgery today," she wrote on X back in 2024. In (Saturday's) night game in the 2nd quarter just before halftime, he tore his Lisfranc ligament. They gave him heavy pain meds and a steel-plated insole so he could continue playing. The Dr couldn’t believe he was really even able to walk. This is extremely painful, and your foot is totally unstable. Fortunately, with surgery he will make a full recovery and come back stronger than ever."
Rose transferred to UMass for the 2025 season. He has since returned to Utah after Whittingham left the program.
Outside the injuries, Patrick asked Whittingham if he considered staying at Utah. There was never a defined timeline for Morgan Scalley to take over in Salt Lake City. He held the coach-in-waiting title for years prior to Whittingham's resignation before eventually being named the next coach at Michigan.
"I believe that probably would have been in the cards, I think, if push came to shove," Whittingham said. "I had two years left on my contract, but I've always been the type of guy. Don't wear out your welcome."
Whittingham has said a few times there was a need for him to move on. Scalley's first game was last year's Las Vegas Bowl against Nebraska. He officially enters his first season at Utah on Thursday night. The Utes host Idaho at 9 p.m. ET on ESPNU.
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