Utah football head coach Kyle Whittingham has been ranked in the top 10 of active head coaches in win totals, according to a recent Pro Football Focus College report. Whittingham took seventh place, placing him in esteemed company with some of the biggest names in college football.
Despite the accolades, there are those who continue to question whether Whittingham gets the respect he deserves. The coach has been in the game for 19 years and bucks the trend of moving on to bigger positions when one reaches Whittingham’s level of success.
Yet Whittingham seems to thrive in his current position, enjoying the challenge of building a successful team from the ground up and consistently winning despite not having the resources of other top sports programs. Under his direction, the Utah Utes have become known as the quiet assassins of college football, shattering expectations and ranking among the top teams in the country.
Whittingham’s success defies logic in many regards. He has accomplished more with less than many other coaches and has brought to the forefront the importance of metrics beyond simple recruiting rankings. Metrics such as creativity, adaptability, projection, development, culture, technique, and heart all play an important role in building a successful team.
Overall, Whittingham’s approach to coaching and the success he has achieved at Utah certainly merit recognition and respect from his peers, colleagues, and fans. His dedication to building a strong team from seemingly insurmountable odds and continually outperforming expectations has solidified his place as one of the best coaches in college football today.
