This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

The Utes continued to fill coaching staff gaps with in-house moves on Thursday.

Utah football announced it will charge linebackers coach Justin Ena and cornerbacks coach Sharrieff Shah with leading the special teams as co-coordinators. Kyle Whittingham's decision is apparently the final call in rounding out his 2016 coaching staff — barring any late defections.

Shah and Ena will both continue to coach their position groups, with Shah managing returns and Ena managing coverage. It's likely several other coaches will be involved in special teams, as the Utes have practiced over the last few seasons.

Special teams is traditionally one of the program's strengths. While the Utes will have to replace two-time Ray Guy Award winner and Aussie punter Tom Hackett and standout punter returner Britain Covey next year, they hope to return kicker Andy Phillips and kick returners Cory Butler-Byrd and Boobie Hobbs. The Utes were second in the Pac-12 in kick return coverage last year.

Utah kept many jobs within the program this offseason, only hiring one outside candidate — former BYU assistant Guy Holliday — to coach wide receivers. Internally, Whittingham promoted safeties coach Morgan Scalley to defensive coordinator, moved Lewis Powell to the defensive line room, pushed his brother Fred Whittingham from behind the scenes to the field over the tight ends and recruiting.

Shah is in his fifth year coaching cornerbacks, and Ena is entering his second season coaching linebackers for the Utes. They take over for Scalley, who relinquished his duties to take over the defense. Kyle Whittingham served as special teams coordinator himself in 2014.

Twitter: @kylegoon