Overview

• In December Whittingham ended retirement talks and opted to return for his 21st season after Utah’s 5-7 finish left him determined to rectify last year’s shortcomings.
• He says he will remain at Utah “as soon as I’m not excited to come to work anymore,” framing his tenure around enduring passion rather than a set retirement date.
• The Utes hired former New Mexico coach Jason Beck as offensive coordinator and secured transfer quarterback Devon Dampier to spearhead a modernized attack.
• Dampier has quickly earned locker room buy-in during spring practices with his dual-threat capabilities, positioning him as the leader of Utah’s revamped offense.
• Utah faces its Oct. 18 game against BYU in a matchup that Whittingham says could shape the Big 12 title race despite a 6.4% win probability projected by ESPN’s Football Power Index.