The succession plan is official. Morgan Scalley, Kyle Whittingham’s longtime handpicked protege, is in place. On Monday, the University of Utah athletics department issued a press release that Morgan Scalley will be Utah’s next head coach — whenever Whittingham decides to hang up his hall of fame worthy coaching career.

“Coach Whittingham has built Utah Football into one of the nation's elite programs through a strong culture, tradition and exceptional student-athletes, and he has been clear about his intentions of continuing to lead this incredible Utah Football program as we move into the Big 12 Conference and into the new expanded College Football Playoff,” said Harlan. “However, we must plan for the future, and Coach Whittingham and I both strongly believe that that future lies with Morgan Scalley. Morgan has played a critical role in our success through his embodiment of our core values and his leadership, and I have witnessed first hand his growth as a coach and as a person over the last several years. He is an elite coach who has been trained by the best – Coach Whittingham – and whenever it is time for Morgan to take the helm, I have no doubt that our program will continue to have success.”

Utah has long been known for their stability and continuity as a staff, and this isn’t expected to change. While this move is just being announced, it’s been Whittingham’s plan for nearly a decade. Scalley has had an army of influential people behind him. He’s been given various responsibilities behind the scenes that head coaches typically handle, plus he carries and conducts himself as a man destined for the head coaching title.

While his official retirement date will be known publicly today, this week, or anytime soon, Whittingham is heavily focused on seeing Utah get on firm footing as they enter their first year into the Big 12. This isn’t an article for UteNation to speculate when that time will come, but it is time to enjoy the final chapter(s) to the legacy of the greatest and most influential coach in Utah football history.

Utah has fought off a narrative in recruiting battles over the recent years with programs saying that Whittingham’s retirement is inevitably near. The football program has countered that by being open about Whittingham’s intentions for his succession plan. Scalley has strong relationships with all of the coaches on the staff. If this move were to happen in the near future, the staff would be expected to mostly stay intact.

“Morgan Scalley is an exceptional football coach and his naming as the head coach in waiting at the University of Utah is a testament to that,” said Whittingham. “It is a distinction he has earned not only because of his outstanding coaching abilities, but also because of his selfless dedication to the program as well as to the Utah Athletics family. The culture and tradition within Utah Football is a point of pride for our staff, and when the time comes for a transition in the leadership of our program, we know that Morgan will carry on those traditions the Utah Football way.”

The 17-year coaching veteran was a finalist in 2019 for the Broyles Award, given to the top assistant coach in college football. He’s consistently recognized as one of the top up-and-coming head coaches in the country. He’s turned numerous opportunities elsewhere for a bigger pay day as either a defensive coordinator or head coach.

“Utah Football and Utah Athletics have always been home to me and my family, and I am honored to receive this distinction,” Scalley said. “I want to thank President Randall, Coach Whittingham and Mark Harlan for the trust they have shown in me, and I remain committed to my continued growth as a coach and person, and as a member of the amazing University of Utah community. Our staff is excited to start a new era of Utah Football in the Big 12 this fall under Coach Whittingham and to continue the traditions that have become a part of our proud history.”

Under Scalley, Utah has had 13 All-Americans and 19 all-conference honorees. A former All-American himself, Scalley was a captain on Utah’s 12-0 Fiesta Bowl team. He's had a front and center seat through Utah’s climb, from being an afterthought, to breaking the BCS, to being invited into the Pac-12 and watching Utah become the most consistently dominant team in that conference.

Scalley is a “Utah Man,” through and through. Harlan has made the right move in locking up their man for the future.