Evidently he was disappointed enough not to give offensive coordinator Andy Ludwig a raise going into the 2008 season.

Ludwig, whose previous two-year contract ran from Jan. 1, 2007, to Dec. 31, 2008, was given a contract on July 1 that terminates on Dec. 31, 2009, for an annual salary of $177,500, the same amount he received last season. Defensive coordinator Gary Andersen, whose players led the nation in pass efficiency in defense, received a boost in salary from $182,500 for the 2007 season to $193,000 in his current contract, which runs from July 1, 2008 to June 30, 2010.

The two were closer in salary during Whittingham's first year in 2005 when Andersen made $170,000 and Ludwig made $165,000.

Ludwig would not comment. Whittingham refused to comment as well, other than saying the difference was because Ludwig's contract expired at a different time.

However, Ludwig was the only returning assistant who didn't receive an increase going into the 2008 season, according to contracts obtained by The Salt Lake Tribune. Whittingham receives a certain amount of money each year to dole out to his assistants as he sees fit, Utah athletic director Chris Hill said.

Utah's offense excelled under Ludwig in 2005, when the Utes led the league in total offense and finished 12th nationally.

In 2006 Utah ranked third in the conference in total offense under Brett Ratliff's guidance while Brian Johnson redshirted because of a knee injury.

Last season the Utes were forced to use a more limited offensive package after Johnson hurt his shoulder and had trouble completing long passes. The Utes ranked just seventh in total offense in the conference, averaging 369.2 yards. Other notable injuries on the offense were to running back Matt Asiata, lineman Jason Boone and receiver Brent Casteel.

Even with the injuries Whittingham said Utah needed to be more productive last season, and has carried that desire into the 2008 season.

"We've got to do better than last year, we need to be much more productive this year," he said.

Asked if he had confidence in the offense to be more productive he replied, "Hope so, we'll find out."

Johnson, who has looked much stronger in practice than he did last season, was more definitive in his answer saying the Utes could definitely do better.

"We had to change our identity midway through the season last year because of some things we couldn't do schematically anymore because personnel got hurt," he said. "I think the offense will be ready to go. What happened last year could be a blessing in disguise. Young players got valuable minutes and now they're proven, veteran guys so they can step up and make big plays for us."

lwodraska@sltrib.com

total off. scoring off.

2007 369.2 yds. 26.2 pts.

2006 368.4 yds. 27.9 pts.

2005 473.0 yds. 30.0 pts.