Utah
The behind-the-scenes drama that led to Kyle Whittingham bolting Utah for Michigan
Kyle Whittingham wanted to stay.
Yet two weeks after beating Kansas and completing a 10-win regular season, he announced his resignation from the University of Utah and just a couple of weeks later signed a deal to become the head football coach at the University of Michigan.
Documents Yahoo Sports uncovered through public records requests show how the plans changed and how a relationship between coach and school soured in Utah.
Whittingham is the all-time winningest coach in Utes football history, a tenure that began in December 2004 for a coach who had been a member of the staff since 1994.
After finishing the regular season and before a date in the Las Vegas Bowl, Whittingham — who was the second-longest tenured head coach in the FBS — relayed to the school through agent Bruce Tollner that he wished to remain in the job and included a litany of requests.
According to Yahoo, Whittingham wanted his salary to jump from $7.4 million to $9 million, $20 million in NIL funds and an increase of $2 million in a pool for his coaching staff.
Three days later, according to the report, Utah sent Tollner an offer for a one-year, $8 million deal that included several stipulations — notably that the 66-year-old would begin to cede some control to defensive coordinator Morgan Scalley, who had been announced as Utah’s coach in waiting in July 2024 and whose presence loomed over Whittingham’s exit.
Included in this offer, according to Yahoo, was that Scalley would be the program’s general manager and have “full and final” oversight in decision-making regarding recruiting, player personnel and staffing decisions that would affect the school beyond 2026. Additionally, athletic director Mark Harlan would be in charge of approving some staffing decisions made by Whittingham.
This deal was never inked. On Dec. 12, Whittingham announced his resignation and signed a deal with Utah in which he would receive $13.5 million in three installments over two years as a “transition bonus,” according to Yahoo.
“As consideration for the transition bonus,” reads the separation agreement, “Coach Whittingham agrees that he will work with the University and its Athletics Department to facilitate a smooth and successful transition of the Football Program to the incoming head coach of the Football Program and his coaching staff.”
On Dec. 26, Whittingham joined Michigan and brought a number of staff members with him, including offensive coordinator Jason Beck and strength coach Doug Elisaia. Whittingham also flipped four-star defensive back Salesi Moa from a Utah commitment to join him in Michigan.
Utah apparently felt this violated its $13.5 million agreement, though a letter from Harlan to Whittingham that Yahoo obtained shows the university followed through with an $8 million check in January.
“This represents the first payment of a Transition Bonus to be paid in three installments over the next two years under the Fourth Amendment to your Employment Agreement,” the letter reads. “As you know, the University was disappointed by your actions last month. The University felt that your involvement with recruiting our football coaches and staff to Michigan was contrary to the terms of your employment agreement which requires you to assist with a smooth and successful transition of the football program to the new head coach and his coaching staff. Your position was that this provision only prohibited non-disparagement. We have determined that a fight over this issue would not be in the long-term interests of the University and its football program or your legacy as our long-time football coach. We have decided to look to the future and we hope and expect that you will do the same.
“Future payments of the Transition Bonus will be paid pursuant to the ongoing terms of the Fourth Amendment. We wish you well.”
Utah
Utah football: Previewing the 2026 schedule with a look at Utah State, Iowa State – East Idaho News
SALT LAKE CITY (KSL.com) — It’s officially under 100 days until Utah football kicks off its 2026 season.
Last week, we highlighted the first two games of the schedule, Idaho and Arkansas, and now we’ll continue the schedule series with a look at the last nonconference game, Utah State, and the first game of conference play, Iowa State.
As a reminder, the early part of the schedule lays out nicely for Utah to gradually build upon before hitting the toughest part of its schedule (at least on paper). As mentioned last week, there are challenges early in the schedule and no guarantees; but if Utah really is a Big 12 title contender, then the early part of the schedule should be manageable.
The early sportsbooks have Utah leading the conference (with BYU) with 8.5 wins. And Utah’s next two opponents are projected at or near the bottom of their respective conferences, which bodes well for the potential to pick up two early wins.
Let’s continue our look into the schedule with Game 3 and 4: Utah State and Iowa State.
To see a more thorough breakdown of these games, click on the YouTube video below.
Utah State Aggies
Date: Thursday, Sept. 19 (1:30 p.m. MT, FOX)
Location: Rice-Eccles Stadium; Salt Lake City, UT
2025 record: 6-7 (4-4 MWC)
Final AP ranking: N/A
Last meeting: Sept. 14, 2024 (Utah win, 38-21)
Preseason win projection: 4.5 wins (Bovada)
The “Battle of the Brothers” hasn’t had as much animosity over the years as a certain other rival in the state. But that doesn’t mean either in-state rival will want to give up any ground early in the season.
Utah last played Utah State during its miserable 2024 season, where the Aggies served as just one of Utah’s five wins that season in a come-from-behind victory in Logan. The circumstances of this year’s squad should be better than what Utah encountered in 2024, but the game comes a week after what could be a physical test against Arkansas.
On paper, Utah is the better team, but Utah State head coach Bronco Mendenhall has prepped enough against the Utes over the years to provide some intrigue in Utah’s final nonconference game of the season. And if the week prior went poorly for Utah, the Aggies will be eager to pounce.
The Aggies have a fair amount of returners to build on from last season but lose several top contributors to make it a challenge — including leading receiver Braden Pagen and offensive coordinator Kevin McGiven to … Utah.
Mendenhall brought back a familiar face in Robert Anae to his coaching staff as the team’s offensive coordinator. The two have been together for more than 15 years over several stops, and that familiarity will certainly help provide some much-needed consistency.
But the Aggies will have to get it done without starting quarterback Bryson Barnes under center. As his replacement, Mendenhall brought back McCae Hillstead to Logan, where he was previously as a freshman before transferring to BYU.
Hillstead hasn’t seen much of the field since leaving Utah State, but will likely be tabbed as the team’s starter. In 2023, Hillstead threw for 1,062 yards, 11 touchdowns and eight interceptions on a 59.5% completion percentage for the Aggies. A lot has changed since then, and can Hillstead be the heir apparent to lift the Aggies to new heights under Mendenhall?
Hillstead benefits from three starting interior offensive lineman returning, but will have a fresh set of talent around him, including transfer receivers Javon Robinson (Georgia State), Rex Haynes (Arizona) and Eli Wood (Oklahoma State). Robinson has the most production and will likely be the focal point to Anae’s offense.
To pair the passing attack, senior running back Javen Jacobs returns to lead the charge after rushing for 429 yards and five touchdowns on 65 carries. He also had 379 receiving yards and three touchdowns last season to be an additional threat in Anae’s quick-passing attack.
On defense, the Aggies have at least one veteran player at each level returning, which should provide some consistency from last season; however, the defense was a bit of a liability at times and gave up too much. But could a rebound be in order?
An improved defense with a potent Anae offense could spell trouble if Utah isn’t ready. There’s still enough questions surrounding the makeup of the team to predict an improved season, but Mendenhall is known for getting the most of his teams, especially in rivalry games.
Iowa State Cyclones
Date: Saturday, Sept. 26 (TBA)
Location: Rice-Eccles Stadium; Salt Lake City, UT
2025 record: 8-4 (5-4 Big 12)
Final AP ranking: N/A
Last meeting: Nov. 23, 2024 (Iowa State win, 31-28)
Preseason win projection: 5.5 wins (Bovada)
Flip a coin and that will have better odds than trying to predict what this year’s Iowa State team will do. The Cyclones were completely gutted after head coach Matt Campbell left Ames, Iowa, after a decade to take the same job at Penn State.
As such, 55 players — including starting quarterback Rocco Becht — entered the portal following Campbell’s departure. Of those, 23 transferred to Penn State, 11 went to different Big Ten schools and three others went to different Power Four conferences.
No starting player at Iowa State last season is on this year’s roster — hence the prediction from many that Iowa State will finish last in the Big 12 this season.
Iowa State turned to up-and-coming talent Jimmy Rogers as its next head coach, pulling him away after just one season at Washington State. Rogers, though, has limited experience at the FBS level after serving as head coach at South Dakota State from 2023-24, where he was defensive coordinator previously since 2019.
Joining him from Washington State is defensive coordinator Jesse Bobbit, who helped the Cougars to the 15th best defense in FBS last season. At offensive coordinator, Rogers pulled Tyler Roehl away from the Detroit Lions after spending one season as the team’s tight ends coach.
Roehl previously spent one season at Iowa State as the team’s running back coach — his only FBS coaching experience — and has only been an offensive coordinator at North Dakota State from 2019-23.
So it’s a coaching staff in the infancy of their FBS tenure, which could provide new blood to the sport as up-and-coming talents or they could be in over their heads. It’s anyone’s guess at this venture — even with sustained success at the FCS level.
To compound the problems, Iowa State is turning over a roster that will have a new face at every position on both sides of the ball. Don’t expect an Indiana-like glow-up in Year 1 for Rogers.
Iowa State did well to recruit quality talent — including projected starting quarterback Jaylen Raynor (Arkansas State) and defensive end Isaac Terrell (Washington State) — but it’s a tall task to strike gold at every position in the first season.
Expect the defense to be further along than the offense early on, due mostly to the three defensive lineman who followed the coaching staff from Washington State. If Bobbit can create anything similar to the success he had last season, the defense may be good enough to keep Iowa State around long enough to do some damage.
But trying to project how it will all shake out for Iowa State is a fool’s errand.
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LIVINGSTON COUNTY, Mich. (FOX 2) – A Utah man is now facing charges after he allegedly tried to lure a young girl into a wooded area of Livingston County last week.
Ryan Josue Rojas, 20, of Herriman, Utah, was charged over the weekend with accosting a minor for immoral purposes.
According to Michigan State Police, an 8-year-old girl was riding her bike on Rosemary Lane in Brighton Township around 7 p.m. Wednesday when Rojas allegedly approached her. Rojas is accused of trying to get the child to go into the woods for “a surprise.”
When confronted by the child’s father, police say Rojas fled.
After putting out a be on the lookout alert Thursday, Rojas was arrested. He was given a $250,000 cash or surety bond.
The Source: This information is from Michigan State Police.
Utah
Utah Celtic boys wrap up unprecedented run of 4 straight national tournament titles at MLS NEXT Cup – KSL Sports
HERRIMAN — Patrick Stevenson remains uncommitted for his college soccer career, but he may want to consider signing with Real Monarchs after his latest performance at Zions Bank Stadium.
Stevenson notched a brace as Celtic scored five second-half goals in a 5-0 win over St. Louis Developmental Academy in the championship match of the MLS NEXT Cup U19 boys’ academy division on home soil.
So about that Monarchs plan?
“If that ever happened, of course I would. That’s the dream,” said a sheepish Stevenson, who will leave for missionary service for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Argentina this summer.”
A backup plan of Division I college soccer for the former Utah Valley commit isn’t bad, either.
Neither is a national title
“It’s so surreal,” said Brooks Barker, the Georgetown commitment who was named tournament MVP. “Being able to play with these boys year after year is special. We’ve really built a family here, and accomplishing anything your family is amazing. You’ll remember it forever — but national championships were last a lifetime.”
After a scoreless first half, Celtic started to roll. Air Force commit Ben Bradley opened the scoring off the club’s sixth corner kick of the match, and Brooks Barker doubled the advantage moments later.
“That’s up there with one of my favorite goals of my career,” Barker said. “Everyone dreams of scoring a bicycle kick. It wasn’t perfectly clean, but for my last club goal ever — I’m going to remember it for a long time.”
But the green-and-white stripes weren’t done.
Corbin Gardner added a third off the boot of the Salt Lake Community College commit in the 73rd minute, and Stevenson found the back of the net less than six minutes later before finishing off his brace in stoppage time.
“All the boys are amazing,” said Stevenson, who joined Celtic a year ago after playing up a division with LaRoca FC most of his life. “We all play as a family, leave no regrets, and everybody just plays together.
“Right when I came in, they were so welcoming,” he added. “From the very first training, I felt part of the team.”
It’s about more than soccer, too, Barker added.
“It’s less of a team, and more of a family,” he said. “We’re all there for each other in all of our moments: mission calls, celebrating each other, college commitments. We all play as a family, and it’s easier to play with guys who feel like brothers than just teammates.”
He also credited Celtic 07-08 coach Matt Bradley, who led the club the whole way.
“To be able to play with guys that you love with a great coach,” Barker said, “it makes all the difference.”
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