Longtime College Coach Kyle Whittingham Stepping Down In Surprise Move

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Longtime College Coach Kyle Whittingham Stepping Down In Surprise Move

It looks like the University of Michigan isn't the only major university that has a sudden need for a new head coach.

According to ESPN college football insider Pete Thamel, longtime Utah Utes head coach Kyle Whittingham is set to step down at the end of this season, which concludes with the Las Vegas Bowl against Nebraska on December 31. Whittingham is wrapping up his 21st season at the helm and is one of the longest tenured college football coaches active.

"NEWS: Longtime Utah coach Kyle Whittingham is stepping down. He's gone 177-88 in 21 seasons there. He'll coach in the Las Vegas Bowl," Thamel wrote on X.

Fans on social media have congratulated Whittingham on his incredible career, with some wondering if he might be an ideal target for some other vacancies at the moment:

"Heck of a career. Wish we could have gotten to see Utah in the playoff at least once," one user wrote on X.

"Nothing but respect. Wish him well," wrote another.

"End of an era! Figured it was coming here soon, but still wild to see it actually happen," Mike Golic Jr. wrote.

SALT LAKE CITY, UT – SEPTEMBER 15: Head coach Kyle Whittingham of the Utah Utes looks on prior to a game against the Washington Huskies at Rice-Eccles Stadium on September 15, 2018 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Gene Sweeney Jr/Getty Images)Getty

Whittingham's Career

Whittingham had the unenviable task of replacing the great Urban Meyer at Utah. He had been coaching at the university for over a decade when the school decided to promote him to the full-time job.

Within just a few years, Whittingham had Utah putting the finishing touches on a 13-0 campaign that saw them finish ranked No. 2 in the nation and even atop a few national championship ballots.

During his 21 seasons, Whittingham went 177-88 with three conference titles, 10 bowl wins, and eight ranked seasons.

Could he be the next head coach of Michigan?

This story was originally published by The Spun on Dec 12, 2025, where it first appeared in the College Football section. Add The Spun as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

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