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He's got to reload a defense that graduated key playmakers, find skill position players who can make a difference, fix a hole in the middle of the offensive line, and find his starting quarterback.
Nowhere in Kyle Whittingham's job requirements does it say he has to reassure the fans that his football team will make strides this fall.
"As far as me trying to convince somebody that we're going to pass the ball better this year, that's not important to me," he said. "We know we have to do it to win games and accomplish our goals this year, and we haven't gotten it done for too long. But I'm not trying to convince anyone of anything — we just have to do it."
And yet, wouldn't a little reassurance be a nice thing?
Football minds both inside and outside of the program have observed for years that lack of a true passing game has kept the Utes — who have won a combined 19 games the past two seasons — from becoming a truly elite team. On the eve of fall camp, as the Utes again say they'll improve the "throw game," it's worth wondering: Is anyone buying that?
"I think any true contender has got to scare you on offense," Pac-12 Networks analyst Yogi Roth said. "You can be the best defense in the world, but you've still gotta put up points. The best teams have confidence moving the football, and that's the difference."
Last year, Utah shot up to No. 3 in the national rankings after starting the season 6-0 before falling back to earth in the home stretch, thanks in part to the second-to-last-ranked passing offense (180 yards per game) in the Pac-12.
Only once have the Utes finished above 11th place in the Pac-12 (2013, 9th, 236.2 ypg) in passing offense, which was the only year they threw for more than 200 yards a game.
With a three-man battle at quarterback and few returning established receiving targets, uncertainty again has overshadowed a defense and offensive line that figures to be one of the Pac-12's best. The Utes have proven that they can win with defensive dominance, but capturing the Pac-12 South — much less a conference championship and College Football Playoff berth — has still eluded them.
"It's been inadequate for the last few years," Whittingham said. "Something needs to manifest. Something needs to change."
The hope is that continuity in scheme and change in personnel will jolt the passing game to life.
Of the trio of quarterbacks, Troy Williams is a highly touted junior college recruit, Tyler Huntley was a prolific passer at a Florida football powerhouse, and Brandon Cox has familiarized himself with Utah's scheme for three years. All three, Whittingham said, have strong arms, and figure to lead Utah in a more pass-heavy direction.
But also for the first time in nine years, the Utes are not changing the offensive coordinator arrangement. Jim Harding and Aaron Roderick again are doing the job together — Roderick from the box, and Harding on the ground — and plan to implement a more personal stamp on Utah's attack.
While Utah fans did get a taste of what that might look like in the spring game as Huntley threw for 233 yards, backups were playing (and Williams was out with an injury), making it difficult to translate to a regular season projection. There are signs of life, but nothing definitive.
Roth, for his money, thinks that Utah will win the South this year — he projects them as one of three teams in the division with a 9-3 record, and thinks they'll go to the Pac-12 Championship. What they lack in experience, they make up for in talent, he said.
"This could be the best group of passers that Kyle [Whittingham] has had competing at this position," he said. "They've got guys who have to ability to push the ball down the field. I think you have to score at least four touchdowns in a game to have a great chance to win. That's what we need to see from Utah."
Fans would like to see it, too — a promise to improve the passing game finally fulfilled.
Twitter: @kylegoon —
Passing problems
The Utes are again entering fall camp on a mission to improve a stagnant passing attack. They've never been prolific in the Pac-12 era when measured against their competition:
Season YPG Pac-12 rank
2015 180 11
2014 197.7 12
2013 236.2 9
2012 190.7 12
2011 173.2 12 Brandon Cox, a junior who has spent three years in the program
Tyler Huntley, Florida frosh had a precocious spring session
Troy Williams, Highly touted junior started career at Washington