Utah Football Coach Kyle Whittingham Has Lost Grip Of A Game In Las Vegas
A once-promising season has taken a turn for the worse
Kyle Whittingham, the head coach of the University of Utah football team, has lost his grip on the program. The Utes have lost three of their last four games, including a demoralizing 42-26 defeat to the UNLV Rebels in Las Vegas on Saturday.
The loss to UNLV was particularly embarrassing for Whittingham and his team. The Rebels are one of the worst teams in the country, and they had not beaten a Power Five conference team since 2013. But on Saturday, they outplayed the Utes in every phase of the game.
The Utes' offense was anemic, gaining just 263 yards. The defense was even worse, allowing UNLV to score 42 points and gain over 500 yards.
Whittingham has been the head coach at Utah since 2005, and he has led the Utes to 11 bowl games and two Pac-12 championships. But his team has struggled in recent years, and the loss to UNLV is a sign that he may have lost his touch.
Whittingham's job is now in jeopardy
The loss to UNLV has put Whittingham's job in jeopardy. The Utes are now 3-4 on the season, and they have a tough schedule remaining. They still have to play Stanford, Oregon, and Colorado, and they are likely to be underdogs in all three games.
If the Utes continue to struggle, Whittingham could be fired at the end of the season. He is one of the longest-tenured coaches in the Pac-12, but he may not be able to survive another losing season.
The Utes need to make a change
The Utes need to make a change at head coach. Whittingham has had a good run, but it is time for someone else to take over. The Utes need a new voice, a new vision, and a new direction.
There are several potential candidates who could replace Whittingham. Andy Avalos, the former defensive coordinator at Oregon, is a rising star in the coaching ranks. He is a young, energetic coach who could bring a new level of excitement to the Utes' program.
Another potential candidate is Dave Aranda, the former defensive coordinator at LSU. Aranda is one of the best defensive minds in the country, and he could help the Utes to improve their struggling defense.
Whoever the Utes hire as their next head coach, they need to make a change. The Utes are a proud program with a rich tradition. They deserve to have a coach who can lead them back to the top of the Pac-12.