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The University of Utah Athletics
Morgan Scalley Named Head Coach of Utah Football Program
12/13/2025 2:00 PM | Football
Former Utah All-America player and long-time defensive coordinator to succeed Kyle Whittingham
SALT LAKE CITY — Morgan Scalley has officially been named head coach of the Utah football program, Director of Athletics Mark Harlan announced Saturday, succeeding 21-year head coach Kyle Whittingham. Scalley has served as the Utes' defensive coordinator for the past 10 seasons, leading some of the most dominant defenses in program history. He has served on the Utah Football staff for each of the past 20 seasons in a variety of roles.
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"Morgan Scalley has proven over the course of his outstanding coaching and playing career at the University of Utah that he is uniquely equipped to take over as the program's next leader," said Harlan. "He not only has great knowledge and perspective of what makes Utah football special, but his passion and love for the University of Utah position him to carry the mantle of leadership forward and continue the program's legacy of success."
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Scalley's defense in 2025 ranks No. 5 in the FBS in passing efficiency defense, 15th in interceptions (14) and 16th in scoring defense, allowing just 18.7 points per game. Utah's defense has scored three touchdowns in 2025, ranking 10th.
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"Being a part of the Utah Football Program was a childhood dream of mine that has turned into an incredible 25-year journey that I am blessed to say is continuing," said Scalley. "This all would never have been possible without the support and sacrifice of my amazing wife, Liz, and my remarkable 3 children. I have been mentored by some of the best men and coaches I could have ever asked for along the way and learned infinitely more than just x's and o's from them. I have also had the privilege of learning from and growing together with the amazing young men that have come through this program. My coaching journey began when Kyle Whittingham decided to take a chance on me in 2008. I am forever indebted to him for believing in me and giving me opportunity after opportunity to grow in this profession. He has mentored me, inspired me, and given me a vision for the future of the Utah Football Program, and I am ready and excited to see it through. I am also grateful for the belief and trust that President Taylor Randall and Athletic Director Mark Harlan have shown in me and am elated to work with them as we continue to bring honor to the University of Utah name. Finally, to the best fans in all of college football, let's do this!!! Go Utes!!!"
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Scalley capped his illustrious playing career at Utah in 2004, helping to lead the Utes to an undefeated season, a Fiesta Bowl win over Pittsburgh and a No. 4 national ranking in which Utah became the first non-BCS team play in a BCS bowl game. He was a two-time Academic All-American (2003-04) and 2004 Mountain West Scholar-Athlete of the Year.
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A 2004 University of Utah alumnus, Scalley earned his bachelor's degree in mass communications and graduated Magna Cum Laude with a 3.96 GPA. He added a master's degree in business administration from Utah in 2006.
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"As we honor a legendary chapter in Utah Football, we are looking ahead with great optimism to what comes next," said Taylor Randall, president of the University of Utah. "I have complete confidence in Morgan Scalley's leadership as the next head coach of Utah Football. Morgan is the future of this program. As an alum, a former All-America player, and a coach who has been instrumental in shaping our culture of development, toughness, and student-athlete success, he embodies everything that makes Utah Football exceptional."
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Scalley began his coaching career as an administrative assistant with the Utes in 2006 before moving into a graduate assistant role in 2007. He has served as the Utes' safeties coach since 2008 and was Utah's recruiting coordinator from 2009-15 and special teams' coordinator in 2015.
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Scalley has forged a reputation as one of the brightest defensive minds in the business. He was a finalist for the Broyles Award in 2019 when the Utes ranked second in the FBS in total defense. He has instilled the culture and identity of the Utah Defense known as RSNB, which stands for Relentless, Smart, Nasty, Ballhawks.Â
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Utah's 2023 defense ranked second in the Pac-12 and ninth among Power Conference in total defense (307.2 yards allowed per game), marking the seventh straight season that the Utes ranked in the top-three of the Pac-12 in total defense (and fifth time in six years ranking top-two). Utah ranked 4th in the FBS in rushing defense (82.8), closing the Utes' Pac-12 era with eight consecutive seasons ranking in the top three in rushing defense in the Pac-12, including No. 1 Pac-12 ranks in rush defense from 2018-21.
Scalley's defense was a force during 2022, even after losing multiple upperclassmen to the NFL following the '21 campaign. It culminated with Utah's second straight league championship and Rose Bowl appearance. The Utes had six performances holding opponents under 270 total yards, contributing to the Pac-12's second-best scoring defense (21.4 points per game).
En route to the Utes' first Pac-12 championship and Rose Bowl appearance in 2021, Utah allowed only 341.6 yards of offense per game, ranking third in the Pac-12, and held six opponents under 315 yards. Utah ranked in the top-25 nationally and first in the league in rushing defense (119.4), sacks (3.00) and tackles for loss (6.9), and was 7-0 when only allowing only 100 rushing yards or less.
After returning just two defensive starters in 2020, Scalley's young defensive unit led the Pac-12 in rushing defense and passing efficiency defense, also ranking second in the league in total defense and third-down defense. The 2020 defense also plucked seven interceptions in just five games, second-most per game (1.4) in the Pac-12 and eighth-best in the FBS.
The 2019 Utah defense was one for the ages, leading the Pac-12 in total defense, passing defense, rushing defense, scoring defense, red zone defense, first downs allowed and third-down defense. Utah recorded the best statistical season by a conference team in the Pac-12 era in three categories: total yards (269.2), rushing yards (81.8) and points allowed (15.0). Scalley's unit recorded two shutouts, the most by a Utah team since 2003, and held six opponents to seven points or fewer, the most in a season by the Utes since 1969 (also 6). Utah held 10 of 14 opponents under 70 rushing yards, the most by an FBS team since 2006.
In 2018 the Utes finished second in the Pac-12 in total defense and scoring defense and finished in the top 20 in the nation in both. Utah's 2018 team ranked in the top three in the Pac-12 in every major defensive category (rushing defense, passing defense, pass efficiency defense, total defense and scoring defense).
Scalley fared well in his first coordinator assignment as well, with the 2015 Utes ranking first in the nation in net punting when he supervised the special teams.
Scalley also owns a long-standing track record as a widely respected recruiter. Utah's 2023 recruiting class was ranked No. 21 nationally by 247Sports, while Rivals.com rated Utah's 2012 recruiting class as the country's 25th best. In 2011, Rivals described Scalley as one of the top recruiters in the Pac-12 and a "recruiting coordinator on the rise."
He was Rivals' non-BCS recruiter of the year in 2010 and one of the top 25 recruiters in the nation overall. Rivals ranked Utah's 2010 recruiting class as the best by a school from a non-automatic qualifying conference and 32nd overall.
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Playing Career
Scalley lettered for the Utes from 2001-04 and was the 2004 Mountain West co-Defensive Player of the Year, a second-team All-American by the Associated Press and SI.com and a unanimous first-team all-conference safety. He was a second-team All-MWC defensive back in 2003 and an honorable mention All-MWC punt returner in 2001 and 2002.
As a senior, he captained Utah to 12-0 record, a Fiesta Bowl win over Pittsburgh and a No. 4 national ranking in a historic season in which Utah became the first non-BCS team to play in a BCS bowl game.
Scalley was a two-time first-team Academic All-American (2003-04), the 2004 Anson Mount Scholar Athlete of the Year and the 2004 MWC Scholar Athlete of the Year. He was awarded two post-graduate scholarships, including one from the NCAA. Scalley was presented with the inaugural Pat Tillman award during the 2005 East-West Shrine Game, recognizing him for his character, intelligence, sportsmanship and service.
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A native of Salt Lake City and graduate of Highland High School, Scalley is married to the former Liz Herrscher. They are the parents of two daughters and one son.
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"Morgan Scalley has proven over the course of his outstanding coaching and playing career at the University of Utah that he is uniquely equipped to take over as the program's next leader," said Harlan. "He not only has great knowledge and perspective of what makes Utah football special, but his passion and love for the University of Utah position him to carry the mantle of leadership forward and continue the program's legacy of success."
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Scalley's defense in 2025 ranks No. 5 in the FBS in passing efficiency defense, 15th in interceptions (14) and 16th in scoring defense, allowing just 18.7 points per game. Utah's defense has scored three touchdowns in 2025, ranking 10th.
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"Being a part of the Utah Football Program was a childhood dream of mine that has turned into an incredible 25-year journey that I am blessed to say is continuing," said Scalley. "This all would never have been possible without the support and sacrifice of my amazing wife, Liz, and my remarkable 3 children. I have been mentored by some of the best men and coaches I could have ever asked for along the way and learned infinitely more than just x's and o's from them. I have also had the privilege of learning from and growing together with the amazing young men that have come through this program. My coaching journey began when Kyle Whittingham decided to take a chance on me in 2008. I am forever indebted to him for believing in me and giving me opportunity after opportunity to grow in this profession. He has mentored me, inspired me, and given me a vision for the future of the Utah Football Program, and I am ready and excited to see it through. I am also grateful for the belief and trust that President Taylor Randall and Athletic Director Mark Harlan have shown in me and am elated to work with them as we continue to bring honor to the University of Utah name. Finally, to the best fans in all of college football, let's do this!!! Go Utes!!!"
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Scalley capped his illustrious playing career at Utah in 2004, helping to lead the Utes to an undefeated season, a Fiesta Bowl win over Pittsburgh and a No. 4 national ranking in which Utah became the first non-BCS team play in a BCS bowl game. He was a two-time Academic All-American (2003-04) and 2004 Mountain West Scholar-Athlete of the Year.
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A 2004 University of Utah alumnus, Scalley earned his bachelor's degree in mass communications and graduated Magna Cum Laude with a 3.96 GPA. He added a master's degree in business administration from Utah in 2006.
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"As we honor a legendary chapter in Utah Football, we are looking ahead with great optimism to what comes next," said Taylor Randall, president of the University of Utah. "I have complete confidence in Morgan Scalley's leadership as the next head coach of Utah Football. Morgan is the future of this program. As an alum, a former All-America player, and a coach who has been instrumental in shaping our culture of development, toughness, and student-athlete success, he embodies everything that makes Utah Football exceptional."
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Scalley began his coaching career as an administrative assistant with the Utes in 2006 before moving into a graduate assistant role in 2007. He has served as the Utes' safeties coach since 2008 and was Utah's recruiting coordinator from 2009-15 and special teams' coordinator in 2015.
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Scalley has forged a reputation as one of the brightest defensive minds in the business. He was a finalist for the Broyles Award in 2019 when the Utes ranked second in the FBS in total defense. He has instilled the culture and identity of the Utah Defense known as RSNB, which stands for Relentless, Smart, Nasty, Ballhawks.Â
- Utah's total defense has finished in the top-half of its conference nine times in the past 10 seasons, ranking second nationally and first in the Pac-12 in 2019.
- Scalley directed the Pac-12's top rushing defense five times as coordinator (2016 and 2018-21) —including top-five national rankings in 2018, '19 and '23.
- The Utes have finished atop the conference in sacks and tackles for loss three times under Scalley, most recently back-to-back in 2021 and '22. The team also finished the 2018 season ranked 11th nationally and first in the Pac-12 in sacks.
- Since 2019, Scalley's defense has held opponents to 15 points or fewer in 36 games, which ranks ninth-most by a Power Conference program.
- After leaving Utah as a second-round draft pick, Eric Rowe played in three Super Bowls with the New England Patriots (2016-18). Scalley has four other second-round draft picks to date: safety Marcus Williams (New Orleans) in 2017, safety Marquise Blair (Seattle) in 2019, cornerback Jaylon Johnson (Chicago) in 2020 and safety Cole Bishop (Buffalo) in 2024.
- Third-rounders include linebacker Cody Barton (Seattle) in 2019, safeties Julian Blackmon (Indianapolis) and Terrell Burgess (L.A. Rams) in 2020, along with defensive end Jonah Elliss in 2024.
- Sione Vaki was a fourth-round choice by Detroit in 2024 after starring at Utah as a safety while also contributing on offense later in his career.
- Defensive tackle Leki Fotu was a fourth-round choice (Arizona) in 2020 and defensive end Bradlee Anae (Dallas) a fifth-rounder. Safety Robert Johnson played three seasons in the league after being selected in the fifth round in 2010.
- Scalley sent a trio of sixth-round draft picks to the NFL in defensive linemen Pita Taumoepenu in 2017, Kylie Fitts in 2018 and John Penisini in 2020.
- Jaylon Johnson was selected to the NFC roster for the Pro Bowl Games in 2023.Â
- His defensive All-Americans are headlined by Jonah Elliss (consensus in 2023), Clark Phillips III (unanimous in 2022), Devin Lloyd (consensus in 2021) and Bradlee Anae (consensus in 2019).
- Additional Utes to collect All-America on his watch include John Henry Daley (2025), Cole Bishop (2023), Sione Vaki (2023), Mika Tafua (2021), Jaylon Johnson (2019), Leki Fotu (2019), Julian Blackmon (2019), Chase Hansen (2018) and Hunter Dimick (2016) with Tom Hackett also being named a unanimous All-American in 2015 when Scalley served as special teams coordinator.
- Anae (2019) and Tafua (2021) were named Pac-12 Morris Trophy recipients, awarded to the league's top offensive and defensive linemen and voted on by the opposite side of the ball. Lloyd also became Utah's first Pac-12 Pat Tillman Defensive Player of the Year, taking the accolade in 2021.
- Linebacker Lander Barton was named the Pac-12 Freshman Defensive Player of the Year in 2022, highlighting a pair of Freshmen All-Americans for the Utes in Barton and defensive tackle Simote Pepa.
- In 2019 Utah placed five defensive players on the All-Pac-12 first team (Anae, Blackmon, Fotu, Johnson and Francis Bernard) and one on second team, with four more garnering honorable mention. That marked the second year in a row with 10 players honored, with 2018's haul including first-team picks Hansen, Anae, Fotu and Jaylon Johnson.
- Scalley's other First Team All-Conference players include Daley, Van Fillinger, Hackett, Dimick and Marcus Williams. In addition, Robert Johnson was first-team All-Mountain West and Eric Rowe and Brian Blechen were both Freshman All-Americans.
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Utah's 2023 defense ranked second in the Pac-12 and ninth among Power Conference in total defense (307.2 yards allowed per game), marking the seventh straight season that the Utes ranked in the top-three of the Pac-12 in total defense (and fifth time in six years ranking top-two). Utah ranked 4th in the FBS in rushing defense (82.8), closing the Utes' Pac-12 era with eight consecutive seasons ranking in the top three in rushing defense in the Pac-12, including No. 1 Pac-12 ranks in rush defense from 2018-21.
Scalley's defense was a force during 2022, even after losing multiple upperclassmen to the NFL following the '21 campaign. It culminated with Utah's second straight league championship and Rose Bowl appearance. The Utes had six performances holding opponents under 270 total yards, contributing to the Pac-12's second-best scoring defense (21.4 points per game).
En route to the Utes' first Pac-12 championship and Rose Bowl appearance in 2021, Utah allowed only 341.6 yards of offense per game, ranking third in the Pac-12, and held six opponents under 315 yards. Utah ranked in the top-25 nationally and first in the league in rushing defense (119.4), sacks (3.00) and tackles for loss (6.9), and was 7-0 when only allowing only 100 rushing yards or less.
After returning just two defensive starters in 2020, Scalley's young defensive unit led the Pac-12 in rushing defense and passing efficiency defense, also ranking second in the league in total defense and third-down defense. The 2020 defense also plucked seven interceptions in just five games, second-most per game (1.4) in the Pac-12 and eighth-best in the FBS.
The 2019 Utah defense was one for the ages, leading the Pac-12 in total defense, passing defense, rushing defense, scoring defense, red zone defense, first downs allowed and third-down defense. Utah recorded the best statistical season by a conference team in the Pac-12 era in three categories: total yards (269.2), rushing yards (81.8) and points allowed (15.0). Scalley's unit recorded two shutouts, the most by a Utah team since 2003, and held six opponents to seven points or fewer, the most in a season by the Utes since 1969 (also 6). Utah held 10 of 14 opponents under 70 rushing yards, the most by an FBS team since 2006.
In 2018 the Utes finished second in the Pac-12 in total defense and scoring defense and finished in the top 20 in the nation in both. Utah's 2018 team ranked in the top three in the Pac-12 in every major defensive category (rushing defense, passing defense, pass efficiency defense, total defense and scoring defense).
Scalley fared well in his first coordinator assignment as well, with the 2015 Utes ranking first in the nation in net punting when he supervised the special teams.
Scalley also owns a long-standing track record as a widely respected recruiter. Utah's 2023 recruiting class was ranked No. 21 nationally by 247Sports, while Rivals.com rated Utah's 2012 recruiting class as the country's 25th best. In 2011, Rivals described Scalley as one of the top recruiters in the Pac-12 and a "recruiting coordinator on the rise."
He was Rivals' non-BCS recruiter of the year in 2010 and one of the top 25 recruiters in the nation overall. Rivals ranked Utah's 2010 recruiting class as the best by a school from a non-automatic qualifying conference and 32nd overall.
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Playing Career
Scalley lettered for the Utes from 2001-04 and was the 2004 Mountain West co-Defensive Player of the Year, a second-team All-American by the Associated Press and SI.com and a unanimous first-team all-conference safety. He was a second-team All-MWC defensive back in 2003 and an honorable mention All-MWC punt returner in 2001 and 2002.
As a senior, he captained Utah to 12-0 record, a Fiesta Bowl win over Pittsburgh and a No. 4 national ranking in a historic season in which Utah became the first non-BCS team to play in a BCS bowl game.
Scalley was a two-time first-team Academic All-American (2003-04), the 2004 Anson Mount Scholar Athlete of the Year and the 2004 MWC Scholar Athlete of the Year. He was awarded two post-graduate scholarships, including one from the NCAA. Scalley was presented with the inaugural Pat Tillman award during the 2005 East-West Shrine Game, recognizing him for his character, intelligence, sportsmanship and service.
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A native of Salt Lake City and graduate of Highland High School, Scalley is married to the former Liz Herrscher. They are the parents of two daughters and one son.
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