Patrick Kinahan: Whittingham's stability leads to Utah's greatness


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SALT LAKE CITY — Most football coaches in his position are national celebrities, the kind that always draws attention through virtually every possible forum.

They are constantly in the public eye, spreading the good word about their brand that has generated massive amounts of money. Many have even gone Hollywood as actors in commercials and movies.

But not Kyle Whittingham.

He is a simple man in a complex world, built on a foundation that could be mistaken for bordering on boredom. This football coach can match credentials with most of his more famous peers but is far more comfortable shunning the spotlight at almost all costs.

His preference for frivolity is time at home with his wife of nearly 40 years, children, grandchildren and extended family. Mix in a few close friends and he’s set.

Forget about renting out a backroom in a fancy restaurant to celebrate big wins. Look for the Whittingham clan, which numbers in the vicinity of three dozen, to chow down on burgers and fries at the nearest In-N-Out.

While often tough on his assistant coaches, several have stories to tell, Whittingham can go to extremes to aid a friend. He’s the type who will help a troubled young person in the shadows without being asked to do so or even without the parents’ knowledge.

With him, once you’re in, you’re in for good.

For sure, as this season has shown again, Whittingham can X and O with the best of them. Just ask Nick Saban, whose star-studded Alabama team lost to Whittingham’s Utes in the 2009 Sugar Bowl.

Considered college football’s greatest coach, Saban plays a character in Aflac insurance commercials. The other guy does public service announcements reminding us to watch out for moving trains and obey all traffic rules.

To define the man, the word "solid" comes to mind. In all aspects of his life, Whittingham is just that — solid, with few weaknesses.

Look no further than his football team to prove it. The Utes, though not perfect, are solid in most respects, exactly like their coach.

They say a team reflects the character of its coach. To explain Utah’s consistent pattern of success, start with the breathing example of toughness and discipline.

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Hear it first-hand from Mark Harlan, in his second year as the Utah athletic director. Having spent more than 20 years in athletic administration at five universities, including fellow Pac-12 institutions Arizona and UCLA, Harlan quickly learned what sets Whittingham apart from contemporaries.

“Our very first meeting, I realized that his attention to detail was at a different level from anything I had seen previous,” he said. “His focus on what is needed to thrive as a program and his ability to articulate that allows us as a department to be aligned in achieving very lofty goals.

“Then, as I watched the day in and day out operation of the program, you begin to realize that there is a culture of success that is shared by the coaches, staff and players that is completely based on thriving by doing what is expected of each individual. Fans will see those results on the scoreboard, but how about the all-time graduation rates and GPAs? He is never too high or low and each day is attacked with a relentlessness that is unmatched in my experiences. Newcomers come in, are indoctrinated to the culture by the upperclassmen and coaches, and in short order, off we go again. It’s truly amazing to witness and it all starts with Whitt.”

Talk about a testimony.

Not that it has been easy. The transition from the Mountain West to the newly expanded Pac-12 nine years ago experienced growing pains.

After a decent 8-5 season the first year in 2011, Utah suffered through consecutive 5-7 seasons, with the losing taking a toll on Whittingham and the offensive coordinators he shuffled through the program.

Once the recruiting took hold, Utah has been the most solid — there’s that word — program in the South Division. Since 2014, the reigning two-time South Division champions have gone 55-23 and are ranked No. 5 in the College Football Playoff rankings.

“Having worked in the Pac-10 for so many years, I also knew how hard it must have been to make the transition into the Pac-12 and, like many others, was so impressed with how Utah stepped in and got after it,” Harlan said.

Now, a word of caution for all who appreciate his rock-solid steadiness. Wallow in Whittingham’s greatness while you can, time is running short.

Recently having turned 60 years old, fully aware that his mentor and father, Fred, died at age 64, Whittingham has repeatedly stated his desire not to be coaching deep into his 60s. Soon enough, he will move on to spend time with his family and to enjoy skiing and golf — activities to pursue without any fanfare, of course.

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Patrick is a radio host for 97.5/1280 The Zone and the Zone Sports Network. He, along with David James, are on the air Monday-Friday from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m.

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