Coach Kyle Whittingham needs to serve the revenge after the disastrous 5-7, injury-riddled ’24 season. It’s not just a rush to prove himself to others in the college football realm and the Big-12, but more of a challenge to himself. Why? He’s the third-longest-tenured head coach in FBS, has returned for his 21st season at Utah Utes. A decline, or even an average record, is unacceptable to him. And this season, he has reloaded the Utes roster with a dynamic new quarterback, a new offensive system, and two projected first-round picks. But is Whittingham outliving his own tenure?

The whispers persist. ESPN analyst David Pollack put a megaphone to those quiet rumors when he told Ryen Russillo, “Utah is one of those teams that goes from five wins a year ago, like I’m comfortable saying they’re going to get to 10. Like they’re going to be a college football type of a playoff team because they’ll be great on both lines of scrimmage. And Kyle Whittingham [is] getting towards the end of his career. I’ve heard rumors for the last like year and a half about him stepping away, and this might be his last squad, and this might be his best that gets to get in the playoff and possibly win the Big 12.” It was a heavy statement, and one that hangs over Salt Lake like the Wasatch mountains themselves.

Kyle Whittingham, for his part, has never hidden that he’s coaching on his own clock. “The bottom line and the final analysis was I couldn’t step away on that note,” he told ESPN at Big 12 media days when asked why he came back. “It was too frustrating, too disappointing. As much as college football has changed with all the other factors that might pull you away, that was the overriding reason: That’s not us, that’s not who we are. It just left a bad taste in my mouth. I did not want to miss the opportunity to try to get that taste out.” He’s previously said he didn’t want to coach past 65, and here he is, at that exact age, still sharpening the sword.

The man has earned the right to call his own exit. He’s rebuilt Utah from a Mountain West power to a Pac-12 champion and now into a Big 12 contender, but 2024 stung. The preseason poll pegged the Utes as No. 1 in their new league, only for injuries and inconsistency to crush them. Had they closed the deal and hoisted the Big 12 trophy, Whittingham admits he might’ve walked away then. Instead, he’s reenergized, not retiring—at least not yet. “The best answer I can give you is, right now, I’m excited and passionate about going to work every single day,” Whittingham said. “As soon as that changes, I’ll know it’s time. I’m just counting on knowing when the time is right. I can’t tell you exactly what the circumstances will be other than losing the fire in the belly.”

That fire will be tested immediately. Utah opens 2025 against UCLA, with a new playcaller in former New Mexico pair – OC Jason Beck and QB1 in Devon Dampier, who heads a group of 21 new arrivals. It’s a reset of sorts, a chance for Utah to blend fresh blood with Whittingham’s trademark steel. And across the field in Pasadena, Bruin’s transfer starter Nico Iamaleava has already sized up what he’ll face. “They fly around, man. They fly around,” Iamaleava said of Utah’s defense. “Very disciplined defense. You know, they’ve had that great defense for I don’t know how long.”

That quote might be the perfect encapsulation of why Kyle Whittingham still laces up his whistle. Utah is known for its defense, year after year, regardless of roster turnover or coordinator changes. Two returning starters at tackle in Spencer Fano and Caleb Lomu, who are projected first-round NFL draft picks by ESPN, will protect the case.

So, when is Kyle Whittingham actually retiring? Until he feels that fire go out, he’ll keep chasing that one last defining run. At 65, the clock ticks.

Kyle Whittingham is contemplating retirement this time

Kyle Whittingham, when pressed about whether the looming retirement buzz has crept into his thoughts. Just days before the opener, the 65-year-old coach made it clear that his energy isn’t flickering. “I wouldn’t have come back if I wasn’t having the passion for the game and the energy, because you better have a lot of energy for this job. So no second thoughts whatsoever. I’m excited to get this season going and watch these guys play and see what we can do,” the Utah head coach said.

That’s classic Whittingham—steady, defiant, and unwilling to let outside noise set his clock. And if there’s one thing he knows, it’s how to keep a locker room locked in. He even tossed some flowers across the rivalry line when asked about UCLA’s new face of the program.

“But [Iamaleava], he’s impressive. He’s got a big arm, and he’s a specimen. He looks like Cam Newton’s kind of stature. That’s what he looks like out there.” That kind of respect from a defensive-minded coach speaks volumes. And this is what is expected from a veteran coach like Whittingham – appreciate your team, appreciate your opponents, but bend to none.