Kyle Whittingham and the Utes Seek South Crown

The Utes have won back-to-back South Division titles. But they enter 2020 with a new cast of characters, seeking worthy replacements for program greats at quarterback, running back and in the secondary. Ashley Adamson and Yogi Roth break down Utah's challenges and opportunities with 2019 Pac-12 Coach of the Year Kyle Whittingham.

Episode Transcript

(00:00):
Fall camp, the main focal pointis going to be on getting that quarterback
situation solidified. Right now, wehave three guys that are in the mix,
so it's going to be a battlefor the QB spot. We got
to be getting it down to twowithin a week or so into camp.
We can't you get three guys repsfor very long, So so we'll go
from three to two fairly quickly,and then hopefully two weeks out or more,

(00:24):
we'll have the starter name and beable to give that guy all the
one reps. And so that's goingto be a you know, a huge
part of our success this year isgetting the right guy named a quarterback.

(00:48):
All right. Here we go thedefending champs from the PAC twelfth South,
a month out from their season openeragainst Arizona, utaw us schedule featuring two
Friday road matchups at UCLA at Colorado. Tough couple of weeks at the end
of November with back to back gamesagainst USC and ASU, both obviously strong
competitors for the PAC twelve South title. Utah's divisional crossover matchup is a home

(01:11):
game with Oregon State on December fifth, so to help us dive into the
season ahead for the Uts. KyleWhittingham, the head coach, is with
us now and coach your sixteenth seasonas head coach at Utah. Have you
ever been more anxious for the startof a fall camp than you are for
the one that's kicking up on Friday? Not that I can recall. This
has been an interesting year to saythe least, and you know, to

(01:34):
find to get some clarity on thesituation and know that we're gonna well hopefully
know as much as we can knowat this point barring unforeseen going on.
But we're excited to get in thecamp which is going to crank up this
Friday, and then of course we'rescheduled to open up with the Arizona as
you mentioned No. November seventh,So hopefully it all comes to fruition.

(01:56):
Very rarely, I think as ahead coach do you get like big moments
to change leaders within your team sociallyat the quarterback position. You guys have
that opportunity as well as replacing youknow, almost your entire defense is there
one year more anticipating more intrigued byas you begin camp in a few days.
Well, you know, we're reallyfocused, you know, first fall
camp, the main focal point isgoing to be on getting that quarterback situation

(02:20):
solidified. Right now, we havethree guys that are in the mix.
Drew Lisk, who has been inthe program for four or five years.
He's been here quite a while anddone a great job for us. He
was a walk on initially earned ascholarship, and he'll be competing with Cam
Rising, the transfer from University ofTexas, who will be in a second
year in the program, and JakeBentley, the transfer from South Carolina who
was in his first year. Soso it's going to be a battle for

(02:43):
the QB spot. We got tobe getting it down to two within a
week or so into camp. Wecan't get three guys reps for very long,
so so we'll go from three totwo fairly quickly, and then hopefully
two weeks out or more, we'llhave the starter name and be able to
give that guy all the one reps. And so that's going to be a

(03:05):
you know, a huge part ofour success this year is getting the right
guy named the quarterback. A closesecond is going to be the secondary.
We've got a complete rebuild going onin the secondary. Lost all five starters
and so those two spots, thequarterback spot in the secondary spot are definitely
our primary focus. Yeah, wedefinitely want to get into the defense in
just a minute, But just tofollow up on what you're talking about with

(03:27):
the quarterback, I'm curious the factthat this year doesn't count towards eligibility,
does that have any impact on howyou look at either that QB spot or
your depth chart in general? Youmake any different decisions knowing you won't be
managing red shirts? Not really,because even though it doesn't counts you're of
eligibility, who knows who's going todeclare for the NFL and move on,
and so there's so many unknowns.As coaches, you just play, you
know, with the focus on thetask at hand and us right in front

(03:51):
of end, and you've always gotto be conscious of the future and making
sure you're recruiting is looking towards that. But as far as right now,
we're just focused on the twenty twentyseason and trying to be as good at
football team as we can become thisyear. Coach, is it fair to
say that you're receiving a corps thisyear as the deepest that's been in your

(04:11):
sixteen years as the head coach.And if so, what's the expectation or
standard of that group. It seemsto be on paper, uh, you
know, and what's on paper andwhat actually happens sometimes, you know,
it's two different things. But we'vegot a lot of veteran guys returning.
Uh. My expectation, our expectationof that group is they've got to be
leaders for us. They've got youknow, we lose the number one running

(04:32):
back in uh Utah football history andZach Moss. We were leaned heavily on
him in the last few years.And this year, you know, we've
got the strength or one of thestrengths of the teams the wide receiver corps,
and they've got a step up andand uh that's you know, it's
their time to shine. And andwe've got you know, Solomon Enis and
Brian Thompson and brit Covey and JadaDixon. We've got a host of veterans

(04:54):
at that position and or that inthat receiving group. And h they've got
a step up and they've got tomake place for us. So let's go
back to the defensive side of theball. And you mentioned everybody have to
replace on the back end. Ithink I saw replacing nine starters total on
defense at this point, kind ofwhere are you in the process of evaluating
who you have and is there anybodythat you've seen step up as a leader

(05:15):
on that side of the ball asyou guys get things going well. We've
had a long preparation time as faras skill instruction and fundamentals techniques, no,
no hitting, no pads, noneof that stuff, and so we've
got somewhat of an idea, butuntil you get the gear on, you
don't know what you got for sure. Clark Phillips looks really good. I
can tell you that right now.He's an incoming freshman that he was actually

(05:38):
with us in spring for those threepractices, but he's a guy that has
really done a nice job. JTbrought in the other corner. It was
with the freshman last year. He'llbe a sophomore of this coming season.
Bronson Boyd, Kenzelle Lawler, FabianMarks, and we've got five or six

(06:00):
guys can competing for those three cornerspots. We play in Nickell Secondary almost
exclusively, so we're putting three cornerson the field and then at safety it's
going to be a new look aswell. With Vante Davis is having a
good pre fall camp, I guesswe can call it experience. And then
Nate Ritchie, a freshman we signedout a long peak high school in stayed
here last year, is is reallymaking a good showing for himself. So

(06:21):
so we'll see. But you know, we really can't get things ironed out
until we get get these guys andpads and and see, uh, you
know, see what we're kind ofour evaluation we can get at that point.
We love getting a know JT andClark prior or their signing day.
A lot of the reason they came, of course was you your defense,
but also the guys that preceded them, right Jalen Johnson, Javelin Gidrey.

(06:42):
Where do they stand at this stageof their young careers compared to those two
stars are now playing in the NFL. That's a great question. I'll have
a lot better answer for you inabout seven days, you know, after
we haven't had a chance to toreally play football. Because we haven't had
a chance to play football yet,we've been very limited on what we can
do, and uh, you know, mainly just a Joey drills and fundamentals,

(07:02):
but we haven't been able to doany real football stuff and so check
back with me on that in aboutten days. But early indications are we
guys got a lot of upset,you know, coaches. We've visited and
spoken with coaches or around the packsover the last few months. I think
one of the things that keeps poppingup in every conversation is how they've had
to grow and adjust during this globalpandemic to to you know, it's different.

(07:23):
The coaches work on a calendar andeverything by the minute is scheduled out,
and now there's so much chaos andunknown. How have you as you
look back on the last six months, how have you grown or had to
evolve as a head coach? Well, I know, as a program,
I think we've handled it very well. And things seem to change weekly,
if not daily. I mean there'snew new protocols and new things that we've

(07:46):
got to adjust to. But ourguys have got a great attitude through this
whole time frame. We've got alot of work done in the film room,
especially, you know, now we'vebeen able to focus a weight room
in the film whom we've really beenthe primary focus for the last several months,
and so I think we've handled thisabout as well as we could have.
Your right, coaches are very regimentedand like to know exactly what's going

(08:07):
on. But I had to changemy mindset on that and just really focus
on, you know, what thesituation is right now, and knowing it
could change, but just get themost out of today and then just take
it day by day and make surethat we're maximizing the you know what the
opportunities to the NC two A aregiving us as far as the structure of

(08:28):
what we can do. Speaking ofcoaches, you've mentored so many coaches around
the country, and of course withinyour program. What have you noticed about
your defensive coordinator Morgan Scalley since hewas reinstated with your program. He's awesome.
I believe he's one of the bestcoordinators in the country. Just exceptionally
smart, relates well with the players, great motivator, he's an innovator,

(08:50):
has definitely put his stamp on itand taking it to another level. And
so we're excited that he's that.He's uh, you know, our DC,
and we hope, you know,we hang on to them for a
few more years, coach. Obviously, I know that you know there's not
going to be any fans allowed atleast for the for the beginning part that
maybe revisited the Pack twelve as thingscome together in the next couple of months.

(09:13):
But I want to ask you aboutthe construction project on on rice cycles
because it sounds like it's moved forward. Paul Kirk, you're brilliant. Sid
sent us some photos of the southend zone, which sort of no longer
exists. Can you give us anupdate on that construction project and our things
going to be ready for where theyneed to be on November seventh. Absolutely
not ready as far as the southand so that's that's a moot point.

(09:33):
We knew that when we tour itnow, and it's going to be We'll
be fortunate. We haven't ready forspring ball. You know, we're able
to do some things in there,but but not not practicing there. It'll
be ready to play in there,obviously, but not it's going to be
a pretty rough look in the stadiumfor this season because there's it's just not
going to be that far along theproject, but and it's going to be
makeshift. We've got three home gamesminimum that we know that that we've got

(09:58):
to we're still explo locker rooms andwhere we're gonna go at halftime and all
that stuff, because it's you know, the locker rooms are completely gone.
The home en visiting locker rooms.They were in that south south end zone.
So we've got to have an answerfor it. Don't have an answer
right here today, but we'll havean answer by November seven. Speaking of
answers, Kyle, Olympics, what'sthe update, what's the latest in this

(10:20):
unique year? Still going through thatnow, this is this is not your
typical fall camp as far as thestructure where you have them really from sun
up to night at night. Youknow, it's we're in school. It's
going to be more like a glorifiedin season routine rather than a full on
fall camp routine. And so soI think I think the Olympics are going

(10:41):
to be watered down a little bitand and we're still going to get get
something going, but it won't bethe full blown deal that we've had in
years past. Last thing for me, Kyle, and I know that your
workouts have not been watered down.I can just imagine that they're a thing
of lore around Salt Lake City.Have you had to adjust your daily workout
routine the pandemic or innovator improvise anything? Yeah, knock on world. I'm

(11:03):
hoping that everything you can just keephoming along smoothly. But I've been fortunate
to be able to, uh,you know, just continue to get them
done. And got a few piecesof equipment of my house so I can
you know, I can get alot of stuff downe there. Don't have
to come to the office. Therewas a time where we weren't coming in
the office, so I was forcedto do it from home. But no,
again, just been fortunate the mantleto continue the just the progression of

(11:28):
it. In a world of chaos, at least we know there is one
thing we can count on, andthat is Kyle. We inhabits daily workout
routine. We appreciate classic rock.Those are the two pants. Got to
send us your playlist, all right, coach, thank you so much for
a time. We appreciate it.In November seventh against Arizona. We're looking
forward to seeing your team on thefield this season and butt of luck with

(11:48):
camp on Friday, but thanks forhaving me on. Appreciate it. Loved
what Kyle Wittingham had to say Yogi, And Yeah, I think if there's

(12:09):
two things that you can count on, it's it's classic rock and Kyle Whittingham's
workouts in twenty twenty and if we'regoing to add a third thing to that
mix. And we didn't really getinto him in that interview, but I
know that you and I want totalk about him. Britain Covey. He
arrived to the program in twenty fifteen, and because everybody's going to get an
extra year of evligibility, he essentiallyhas two more years left with this program

(12:30):
if he wants him. I mean, he could have his PhD when all
of a sudden done. What areyou expecting to see from Britain. I
know you're you're super connected to him. I'm expecting him to have a big
year. You're right. I meanI could remember it like yesterday when he
got injured in the Packed Off titlegame. You know we were there.
I remember being on the sideline seeinghis like all iced up and wrapped up,
and him coming back from that injurylast year and watch him in training
camp and he just competed all yearto try to be the best version of

(12:54):
himself and it just he just wasn'tall the way back. And I know
for him, and I think abig advantage for this program is they really
haven't missed a workout since June whenthey were allowed to work out back at
the facility, And having talked toBritain a few times, he's driven,
he's motivated, and I think thisteam really is. You know, they're
gonna They're not gonna get picked towin the South even though they're the two
time defending South champions, but they'vegot the nucleus and I think the preparedness

(13:18):
the time I just referenced to bethere to be there again when it's Pack
twelve title weekend, and I wouldn'tbe shocked if they did it. And
then you add in that core.Everybody's a veteran, right think about Brian
Thompson, he could be a star. Solomon Enis remember coming out of high
school Courtesyinus his son out of Phoenix, spurred Penn State to go to Utah.
That was like the first huge receiverout of state that they got.

(13:41):
Then you had Sampson to Cool.Oh, by the way, he's back.
Devon Vlee, who I'm in lovewith I think he's got a chance
to be all packed twelve player,even though nobody really knows who he is.
He to walk on who eventually gotsome play but got hurt last year,
and then Jalen Dixon, who's thespeeder, kind of like the speed
of the deep throat of that ofthat core. Yeah, Covey is consistent,
his leaderships, gills are incredible.It rubs off on the team,

(14:01):
and I just think this team isI think they can take another step within
this program. I don't think lastyear, even though they were loaded,
was like the peak for this team. I think the programs so consistent that
you know, in a Utah andonly a way you talk and describe consistency,
that they can they could take arun at this thing again this year.
Yeah, because I think, andyou made the point in the interview.
On the one hand, you're lookingfrom the outside as a team who's

(14:22):
got to, you know, fineand break in a new quarterback, new
running back, left tackle, aswell as nine defensive starters that they lost.
But Whittingham says he and his staffthink this is as deep and it's
talented as the utes have been atreceiver, feel great about tight end position
and the offensive line as well.So all the offense needs is a quarterback
who can run the show. Youknow, Kyle wasn't going to tell us

(14:46):
who he thinks is going to winthat competition. But from your perspective,
is Jake Bentley the guy from thatoutside looking at it. I didn't get
to go to any of their springpractice. They had a few of them.
I think he is just based onsome intangibles, right if you if
you look from the outside, there'sa couple of players that have had a
voice within this program this offseason.He was one of them, right,

(15:07):
whether it was around social justice orwithin their workouts. Then I go back
and watch him play. This guy'splayed a lot of meaningful snaps in critical
moments, and I think now withina Bridge training camp in Kitch william talked
about narrowing it down to two andthen to one. I just think the
coaches at the end of the day, and Utah specifically, they play guys
they can trust. They play guysthey can drast especially at the quarterback position.

(15:28):
I think because he's been in thirddown, backed up, red zone,
late game heroics, two minute drills, crazy road games like he's been
in adversity. I just think thatCam Rising is gonna have to really outplay
him, which he might because he'sbeen around the system longer than Jake.
And think about it for a second. You referenced Britain Covey getting an extra
year. Jake Bentley could be asixth year senior next year with a team

(15:52):
next year in Utah. When youlook at some of the teams in the
pactol South to what we might projectthey lose to the draft, like they
could be loaded next year if hebecomes a two year starter. So yeah,
I think he I think he winsthe job. It pains me not
to be able to go watch itin person. I can't wait too.
But everyone everything anyone said about himas they've raved about him. So it'll
be competitive. But that's where that'swhere I would go, at least today.

(16:15):
Yeah, And we talked to PaulKirk the idea and he said,
by all accounts, you know,Jake Bentley is a guy who the guys
on the team have just really gravitatedtoo. They've embraced him, and he's
fit in really well in a shortamount of time. I think too.
And you talk to Paul and hementioned that, you know, quietly and
methodically, this team is just sortof doing everything that they've been able to

(16:37):
do since June, and that isKyle Whittingham to a t, right like
that's that's exactly who he is.Just sort of the quiet, methodical we
are going to go about our businessand do what we need to do.
And they have have you know,got a lot to replace, as we've
talked about, but they've got timeto to see who's available and to teach
these guys and to get everything right, you know, between the years.
So we'll see how it all turnsout when they actually take the field and

(17:00):
and start hitting some people. Lastthing, and just you know, when
we are looking at Utah as awhole, and you mentioned two time Pactrol
South defending champs. For all thesuccess they've had the last couple of years,
I know the end of last yearwas painful for Utah fans, rough
loss to Oregon and the Pactrol ChampionshipGame and then another tough, disappointing double

(17:21):
digit loss to Texas in the AlamoBowle. I just wonder how that affects
a team carrying over from one seasonto the next, because if you really
think about it. They haven't wona game since November thirtieth. It will
have been almost a full calendar yearsince his program has won a game,
and that was Senior Day when theyrolled Colorado. So imagine guys are hungry.
Yeah, and imagine Kylewotingham's response tothat question. Right, we'll ask

(17:42):
it to him when we get closerto the season. But you know players
are driven, but you know heis as driven of a guys you're going
to find, like he has thatchip on a shoulder, right. We've
miked him up a bunch of timesfor a drive. You hear him in
pregame and games and practice. Idon't think you forget that. I do
think though it's been so long andso much has gone on since the season

(18:03):
that it's almost like forgotten. Youknow, in terms of if you asked
the player, when was the lasttime you won a game? I think
they'd kind of be taken aback bythat question. The guys that we've talked
to have I think for this teamthere are more of nobody thinks we can
do it again, right, Andwhen you look at them when we did
it, you referenced a couple weeksago studying this team, best tight end
group in the Pac twelve, BrentKeithy cole fathering him. They get a

(18:26):
transfer these some other players from depth. When you have that with Andy Ludwig,
when you have Jordan Wilmore, Imean, he was a stud coming
out of high school, played wellwhen he did as a freshman, They're
gonna run the ball. They bringback four offensive linemen, including Nick Ford,
who's one of the top five Ithink at least I have on my
board in the entire conference. Inthe offensive front and the way they call
plays, they're gonna be able todictate terms and then defensively, while they

(18:48):
lose so much ash, they alsodevelop I think better than anybody in America.
I think last year, Okay,just context, and I might be
off by one or two. Theyhad nine players, there were four and
five star recruits on the roster.Nine and I still think they had one
of the top two or three defensesin all college football last year statistically,
one of the best in twenty years. Alabama I think had like sixty five.

(19:11):
Clemson I think had fifty eight.Like when you start comping that,
you're like, yeah, here comesthe next wave of defensive players and not
just the DBS, but Devin Lloydeverybody knows about but Beannamala Pete Tonga.
You know, Max Tapay is reinstated. I believe he'll be on the edge,
Mika Tafua, Blake Keithy will becoming off of his injury, playing

(19:32):
the edge like look Out and Obythe wall. To'll probably play a couple
freshman Van fillon Jour and Xavier Carlton, so on the hoof. If you're
a fan around the country, you'resaying, yeah, Utah probably gonna fall
off. I don't know. Idon't think so. I wouldn't be shocked
if if they made a move andran the table this year. And I'm
sure that's exactly I'm Kyle Wittingham isfine with everyone feeling that way, right,

(19:53):
Like that's exactly where he wants tobe. People talking about everybody that
they lost and how are they goingto replace them, and they're just going
to work in the meantime. Ithink the game a lot of people have
circled on their calendar November twenty firsthome against USC. I know Utah fans
feeling like they want some payback fromthat regular season matchup. Last year at
the Coliseum, So it all getsunderway November seventh at home against Arizona.

(20:15):
Cannot wait to see what happens withKyle Whittingham's squad. Reminder that if you
want to check out any of ourcontent from all of these interviews that we're
doing with the head coaches from aroundthe PAC twelve, just make sure you're
subscribed. You can also find allof them on Pac dashtwelve dot com.