Kyle Whittingham at Big 12 media days 2024: Top 3 questions we want Utah HC to answer

The Utah Utes are moving, like almost everyone, to a new conference in 2024 as Kyle Whittingham is set to lead them into their first Big 12 season this year. But the question remains if this will be his last season with the school.

Last week, the school named long-time defensive coordinator Morgan Scalley as the coach in waiting, signaling that the end of his tenure is not too far ahead. However, Whittingham seems to think that Scalley is what the school needs in this Big 12 future, telling the media after the announcement:

“The culture and tradition within Utah football is a point of pride for our staff, and when the time comes for a transition in the leadership of our program, we know that Morgan will carry on those traditions the Utah Football way.”

However, for now, Kyle Whittingham remains at the helm for Utah's first season at the Big 12, and we have some questions for him.

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Top three questions we want Kyle Whittingham's Utah Utes to answer in 2024

#3 Is Cam Rising the Utes quarterback?

In 2023, the Utes displayed an exceptional ability to overcome the difficulties they faced.

With star quarterback Cam Rising out of commission for what turned out to be the entire season, Bryson Barnes and Nate Johnson shared the starting spot throughout the year. Nevertheless, the Utes were ranked until their penultimate game (they were even in the top-10 one week) and had a winning 8-5 record.

However, now Cam Rising and starting running back Micah Bernard are returning. Will the Utes return from their make due scheme from 2023 to an explosive offensive in 2024? Is Rising the same player he was?

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#2 Can Utah win the Big 12?

With Texas and Oklahoma gone, on paper, there's a good case for the Utes to contend for the title of the most powerful school in the Big 12.

Oklahoma State and Kansas State would certainly not agree with that moniker being used to describe the newcomers, but, at the moment, the bookies favor the Salt Lake City school.

In the regular season, Utah doesn't have to see K-State, but they clash with Oklahoma State, Arizona, Iowa State, TCU, Baylor, UCF and Colorado. Can Utah beat them all and defeat K-State in the championship game to mark its new territory?

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#1 Will this be Kyle Whittingham's last season?

You don't name a coach in waiting for the sake of doing so. Morgan Scalley's designation signals that the Kyle Whittingham era might be at an end.

And understandably so, Whittingham is 64 and has been in charge of Utah since taking over the coaching position from Urban Meyer in 2005. He has been on the Utes coaching staff since 1994.

His tenure has been somewhat successful, with two Pac-12 titles and a Mountain West one. He also won the Pac-12 Southern Division four times. But is this the end of the run? Transitioning the school into the Big 12 could well be his farewell act.