SALT LAKE CITY — Through it all, whatever that might be, obviously some kind of discord exists between the Utah athletic director and the football coach.

Late last week the news leaked that Kyle Whittingham, who has spent 20 years on the football staff, including the last 10 as the boss, was unhappy with Chris Hill to the point that the coach was considering possibly leaving Utah. Earlier this week Hill tried to quell the thought of any tension by releasing a statement that basically said nothing.

The point here isn’t to blame either side, but rather hope the two find common ground. Utah football made great strides this season and doesn’t need any more upheaval.

The Utes are already faced with having to replace the offensive and defensive coordinators and the defensive line coach. All of the current players chose to play for Whittingham and deserve the opportunity to follow through.

To change the coach now would curtail the progress that came from the 9-4 season, which was as thrilling as any in Utah history. For the first time since beginning Pac-12 play four years ago, the Utes finished with a winning conference record, won four conference road games and will end the year ranked in the Top 25.

As the gatekeeper of Utah athletics, Hill has an obligation to be financially prudent but at the same time has to maintain stability with the university’s most important sport. It can be easily argued the public spat already has damaged the football program in regard to recruiting.

To be sure, recruiters from other programs will attack Utah’s perceived coaching insecurity. No doubt they have been badmouthing Utah to recruits over the Kalani Sitake situation.

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Conflicting coaching rumors hurting Utah football

By now you've likely heard the rumors that Kyle Whittingham is leaving the University of Utah and will accept a coaching role at BYU, and new Oregon State head coach Gary Andersen will jump ship to become Utah's new head coach.

Sitake, Utah’s longtime and popular defensive coordinator, left last week for a similar position at Oregon State. Last summer Hill decided not to extend Sitake’s contract for a second year as he had annually done, a move that likely upset the coordinator and head coach. After this season Sitake opted to join former Utah assistant and Utah State head coach Gary Andersen at Oregon State, which offered up to six-year commitment and the opportunity to earn $1 million annually.

Strangely, in his statement released this week, Hill tried to save face by going public with the contract he offered to Sitake. But the damage was done six months ago, once word got out that Hill chose to not renew the contract in June long after Sitake could have looked for another job.

By freezing the contract of Sitake and other assistants, Hill put the staff on notice after two consecutive 5-7 seasons. It’s easy to assume that Whittingham took offense and believed Hill was looking to change the staff even before last season began.

Hill has the right and authority to look after the program, but now a peace offering may be right. As long as the demands aren’t outrageous, in short order Hill could extend Whittingham’s contract beyond the current two years if that’s what the coach desires.

As always is the case when sensitive or unflattering information is reported, many want to blame the media for bringing to light the tension between Hill and Whittingham. In the social media era, the idea of discrediting the messenger is more apparent than ever.

But the news, first reported by Hans Olsen of the 1280AM and 97.5FM and Salt Lake Tribune columnist Gordon Monson, who also works at the radio station, was accurate at the time they said it last week. Both were right to report that Whittingham was close to leaving Utah, which still could remain a possibility. In full disclosure, I also work at the radio station and spent 14 years at the Tribune.

Hill’s statement said he met with his coach twice over the last several days. Based on the prior reports, it’s reasonable to conclude Whittingham was upset after the first meeting, but in typical in negotiating fashion, Hill probably made adjustments during the second session.

At this point in their careers, Hill and Whittingham are both Utah lifers and have brought much good to the university and community. The good news is these two reasonable men can reach an agreement.

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