Utah football coach Kyle Whittingham issues two-word message to announce his return: ‘I’m back’

After Kyle Whittingham expressed some doubts about whether or not he would return to Utah for his 21st season, the Utes coach made his intentions for 2025 pretty clear.

In a memo from the Utah football team, Whittingham showed his sense of humor by simply issuing the message: “I’m back.”

For those who may not be familiar with the reference, Michael Jordan famously announced the end of his retirement and a return to the NBA with a fax sent to the media on March 18, 1995. Jordan simply wrote in the statement: “I’m back.”

(Perhaps “Swoop Associates” is a reference to Jordan. It does not refer to Utah’s apparel contract with Under Armor.)

And instead of using the “-30-” that journalists typically use to end articles, Whittingham marked the end of his memo with “-21-,” presumably representing the 21st season he will coach in Salt Lake City next year.

Utah finished 5-7 this season in its first year in the Big 12, which is only Whittingham’s third losing season as head coach.

In 20 full seasons in Salt Lake City, Whittingham has compiled a 167-86 record since taking over for Urban Meyer in 2004. This includes seven seasons with more than 10 wins and 17 seasons with a winning record. In 2008, he coached Utah to a 13-0 season that ended with a victory over Alabama in the Sugar Bowl.

Defensive coordinator Morgan Scalley is the designated head coach and will replace Whittingham when he retires. Whittingham indicated that Scalley was part of his decision-making process on returning.