Utah hires former Wyoming coach as new offensive coordinator


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SALT LAKE CITY — The University of Utah has hired a new offensive coordinator, head coach Kyle Whittingham announced Friday.

Former Wyoming head coach Dave Christensen was named Utah's latest offensive coordinator, making him the seventh person to fill that coaching spot in seven years, back when Andy Ludwig was leading the offense.

"As one of the pioneers of the spread offense, Dave Christensen is an innovative coach and was the architect of one of the top offenses in the country during his time at Missouri," Whittingham said in a prepared statement. "We feel fortunate he was available and interested in joining our program, and he will be a great fit with our staff.

List of Utah's offensive coordinators
2013: Dennis Erickson/Brian Johnson
2012: Brian Johnson
2011: Norm Chow
2010: Dave Schramm/Aaron Roderick
2009: Dave Schramm
2005-08: Andy Ludwig

"We want an explosive offense and that's been a trademark of Dave's throughout his career as an offensive coordinator," Whittingham continued.

Christensen was most recently head coach of Wyoming, where he was named the 2011 Mountain West Conference Coach of the Year. Prior to his tenure with Wyoming, Christensen was the offensive coordinator at Missouri from 2001-08.

Christensen and Whittingham were both assistants together at Idaho State.

"I am excited to be back coaching at the BCS level and at the University of Utah in particular, where I think there is a great opportunity for success," Christensen said in a prepared statement. "I have experience in the Pac-12 as a player and a coach at Washington and it is exciting to be back in one of the premier conferences in the country."

Both Dennis Erickson and Brian Johnson will remain on staff, but will continue to be a position coach. Erickson will continue to work with the running backs and Johnson will continue to be with the quarterbacks. Christensen will also coach the tight ends.

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