Utah football coach Kyle Whittingham grew emotional after his team’s last home game of the season.
Tears began to well in his eyes after Saturday’s 51-47 thriller versus Kansas State. He coughed and tried to gather himself.
“Just so happy for our seniors to be able to go out with a win in the last opportunity in Rice-Eccles. Excuse me — when I think about our seniors, I get emotional, so I apologize — but it’s just so awesome for them to be able to have that experience," Whittingham said.
The moment had plenty wondering whether it might have also been Whittingham’s final time coaching inside the Utes’ stadium. The 66-year-old Whittingham, who has dealt with retirement questions over the last few years, had his entire family in attendance for the game.
Whether those things show which way Whittingham is leaning remains to be seen. But the head coach does have to make a decision soon, based on the terms of his contract.
If the Utes are in the Big 12 Championship game, Whittingham is obligated to provide written notification to the university of his retirement decision by Dec. 12.
If Utah isn’t competing in the conference championship game, Whittingham will have to decide by Dec. 8.
That doesn’t mean the coach has to make a public announcement by then, however. And the coach seemed in no rush when discussing his future this week.
“That’s an after the season thing,” Whittingham said on Monday. “When it’s all said and done — whatever happens to us in the postseason, whichever situation we find ourselves in — as soon as everything’s culminated and [I] have time, have a few days, and maybe even a week or two to sit back and evaluate and see where you’re at, I’ll go from there.
“I guess that’s the best answer I can give you right now.”