Utah and Kyle Whittingham announce changes to coaching staff

SALT LAKE CITY – The transformation of Utah football continues as head coach Kyle Whittingham announced two new additions to the coaching staff.

After hiring Jason Beck as offensive coordinator last week, the Utes have now officially hired Mark Atuaia and Micah Simon.

𝐔𝐓𝐀𝐇‼️ Join us in welcoming the latest additions to our 𝐅𝐀𝐌𝐈𝐋𝐘‼️

RB coach | @CoachAtuaia
WR Coach | @micahsimon_

📰: https://t.co/NVKUDOiegK#GoUtes pic.twitter.com/aSnS2oS4Ee

— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) December 13, 2024

Simon joins the Utes after coaching under new Utah offensive coordinator Jason Beck at New Mexico last year, with Atuaia spending the last three seasons as an associate head coach at Washington State.

The program will also part ways with Quinton Ganther and Alvis Whitted.

Mark Atuaia, Utah’s new running backs coach

Atuaia has spent the last three seasons at Washington State. He was the assistant head coach and running backs coach at Pullman. Last season, he helped true freshman Wayshawn Parker rush for 735 yards and four touchdowns. In 2022, he led Nakia Watson to 769 yards and nine touchdowns. Both running backs earned all-conference honors.

I enjoyed my time on the Palouse. The region has been great for the Atuaia Aiga and will always hold a special place in our collective hearts. But most important are the people who are forever connected to our soul. To the few I couldn’t catch… pic.twitter.com/hdZjtCmwnm

— Mark Atuaia (@CoachAtuaia) December 12, 2024

Prior to his time with the Cougars, Atuaia spent the last six seasons coaching alongside Beck at Virginia. He oversaw running backs Wayne Taulapapa, Jordan Ellis and Taquan Mizzel, who had productive careers there.

Atuaia played four seasons at BYU (1991, 1994-96) and played for the 1996 Cougars, who went 14-1 in the Cotton Bowl. BYU posted a career record of 39-11-2. Atuaia returned to Provo in 2013 as running backs coach for Bronco Mendenhall’s team. He worked closely with future NFL running backs Jamaal Williams and Paul Lasike.

Micah Simon, Utah’s new receivers coach

Simon follows Beck to Salt Lake City after spending last season on Beck’s offensive staff in New Mexico. He joined the Lobos last year after spending his first year as a position coach at Northern Colorado.

Simon helped pass catchers Luke Wysong and Ryan Davis make significant strides in their games. The Lobos’ two leading pass catchers this season – Luke Wysong (69 catches, 840 yards, one touchdown) and Ryan Davis (54 catches, 747 yards, three touchdowns) – were No. 5 (Davis) and No. 7 (Wysong). . when production began the year before.

Before becoming receivers coach, Simon worked as an offensive analyst under Beck at Syracuse in 2022.

Simon played four seasons at BYU (2015-19), recording 90 catches for 1,109 yards and five touchdowns in 40 games.

Steve Bartle is the Utah insider for KSL Sports. He hosts the Utah Blockcast (SUBSCRIBE) and appears on KSL Sports Zone to beat the Utes. You can follow him on X for the latest Utah updates and game analysis.

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