This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2013, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Aaron Roderick, who was passed over in favor of Brian Johnson for Utah's offensive coordinator's position a year ago, is leaving the Utes to join BYU's coaching staff, sources have confirmed. Roderick was a receiver at BYU in 1997-98 and began his coaching career as a graduate assistant for the Cougars in 1999. After coaching stints at Snow College and SUU, he joined the Utes in 2005 as the receivers coach. Since then, he has served as co-offensive coordinator (2010) and as the passing game coordinator this year. Roderick briefly left the Utes in January of 2009 to join Washington's staff. He returned to the Utes less than two weeks later after having a change of heart. Roderick, who initially accepted a position as co-offensive coordinator along with Dave Schramm before leaving for Washington, resumed his role as the receivers coach upon his return. While Utah coach Kyle Whittingham invited Roderick back on the Utes' staff, the incident may have harmed Roderick's long-term future with the Utes. With Utah's offense struggling in 2009, Roderick and Schramm flip-flopped positions and Roderick called the plays for the last six games. After being promoted to co-offensive coordinator in 2010, Roderick was moved back to receivers coach in 2011 to make room for Norm Chow. Chow served as Utah's offensive coordinator for just one year before leaving for Hawaii. Despite his experience, Roderick was passed over for the offensive coordinator's position as Whittingham tabbed Johnson as the next offensive coordinator. Roderick was named the passing game coordinator. In a similar situation to 2009, Roderick replaced Johnson in the box for the last five games, although the Utes maintain Johnson continued to call the plays from the field. Despite his seniority, Roderick made just $200,000 in base salary as the passing game coordinator, putting him behind defensive coordinator Kalani Sitake ($500,000), Johnson ($225,000) and running backs coach Jay Hill ($225,000) in salary. - Lya Wodraska