Whittingham’s legacy grows with second straight Pac-12 title
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Utah’s Kyle Whittingham doesn’t care what conversation he’s in when it comes to the talk of today’s top college football coaches.
But after his Utes dismantled Southern California hopeful 47-24 in the College Football Playoff on Friday night in the Pac-12 Championship Game, it may be time to put his name next to the considered the greats of today.
“I don’t know why he’s not. Like, back-to-back Pac-12 championships, come on now, he’s been here too long for people not to talk about him,” Utah running back Ja’Quinden Jackson said. “One of the best coaches I’ve had. It’s time.”
Utah, which was playing for its fourth Pac-12 championship in the past five seasons, is bowl eligible for the 14th time under Whittingham, the longest-tenured coach in the Pac-12 and second-longest in the FBS.
“It’s an anomaly to be in a school while I have, that doesn’t happen in this day and age,” Whittingham said. “I’m very grateful and blessed to have been at the University of Utah for as long as I have … nearly 30 years as an assistant coach and head coach. Most coaches in that span of time have been in 10 or 12 different places, so I feel very lucky.”
Whittingham said his focus has never been on him, but more on keeping his job.
The only way to do that, he added, is by winning.
The Utes have finished with a winning season in 16 of Whittingham’s 18 years as head coach, and have had nine consecutive winning seasons since 2014.
“It’s all about relationships and building those relationships with the players and your coaching staff, and even coaches on other teams,” said Whittingham, who is 154-73 since taking over the program . “Again, if you don’t earn enough, you won’t be around long enough to build relationships. I’ve been lucky in that regard. And I don’t really have an opinion on whether I should be in any conversation.”
However, while the Utes were going to the Rose Bowl win or not on Friday, it was their second win over the favored Trojans this season, a victory that sweetened the pot for Utah before heading in Pasadena.
Just as they did in the regular season game, in which they fell behind by 14 points three times, Utah overcame a 17-3 deficit and outscored the Trojans 44-7 en route to the victory strong to claim their second straight conference championship.
And with the Utes down by 10, and the Trojans driving to close the gap, senior RJ Hubert intercepted Caleb Williams’ pass to send much of the announced crowd of 61,195 into a frenzy.
Moments later, Jackson ran 53 yards for a touchdown to put the game out of reach, revving up the crowd and further cementing Whittingham’s legacy.
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