My husband and I have been University of Utah football ticket holders for the last 35 years. We have seen three distinguished coaches, including Ron Mcbride, Urban Meyer and now Kyle Whittingham at the helm. Although all of these coaches have had differing styles of coaching, they all contributed greatly to the U. of U.’s longevity of a strong football program. Each coach, as far as we remembered, ended their reign with fanfare and some controversy. Maybe this is how the sports world functions. Coaches resign, fans are happy, sad or mad. Some coaches leave for various reasons — i.e., new opportunities elsewhere, money enticements or, generally, it’s time to go.
As ticket holders we have been part of a loyal fan base — tailgating, sitting through inclement weather and hating those fated late start times. Year after year we sit with those who we get to know as our Ute families. We see their children and our children grow as we age. Make no mistake, we bleed red. We banter with other team fans, especially during the “holy war” with BYU. We are faithful and true and season after season. As the Beach Boys once sang,” Be True To Your School,” and we are.
We recognize that change is inevitable and the rumors of Coach Witt stepping down were floating around for the last year. It was going to happen. It felt more certain that 2025 might be his last year. We also heard in the news Kyle’s wavering back and forth about a possible retirement. We get it, both my husband and I went through that process and we recognize it takes thoughtful decision-making.
We were stunned to hear of Coach Witt’s quick and expedited exit from an institution that Kyle said had given him so much for the last 21 years. Kyle created an atmosphere and a genuine relationship with his fans. We understand other opportunities arise, but it was strange and disheartening that there was little or no closure to the end of his time here at the U. Before we knew it he was wearing Michigan blue on the sports channels.
The word “closure” means a process or act in which you do something actively by communicating you are ending something. Yes, Kyle did say he had another opportunity elsewhere and he took it. It still felt strained and unfinished.
Closure also means finishing, finalizing and completing the job. Leaving for Michigan without coaching his final game at the Las Vegas Bowl was an all-time low for someone we thought had integrity. Maybe the powers that be above him had a say about his closure but we believed he had more integrity than that — to show Ute fans he would finish his job. Sending his team to the Las Vegas Bowl while heading to another part of the country lacked closure.
Yes, the Ute football program will adapt and evolve with new leadership, but Coach Whitt’s leaving without finishing the job and some semblance of closure, for us, will leave a mark on his final exit.
Larry Renzetti and Lorraine Montoya-Renzetti, Salt Lake City
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