If you ask Morgan Scalley, he’ll tell you he has a long-term plan for Utah football.
But on Tuesday, the Utes’ new head coach spoke off the cuff.
He had no speech prepared. There were no notes in hand. At his first news conference in Utah since taking the top job, Scalley wanted to speak from the heart.
“I’m a baby,” he said while growing emotional inside Rice-Eccles Stadium. “But, man, is our team gonna rip your face off.”
With longtime coach Kyle Whittingham stepping down last month and unexpectedly leaving for Michigan — taking a conglomeration of BYU and Utah staffers with him — Scalley has had to swiftly pick up the pieces and establish Utah’s new identity.
He’s hired a new staff and has now turned his focus to building next season’s roster.
With the transfer portal open and set to close on Jan. 16, Scalley’s been focused first on player retention.
“You’re always recruiting your own guys,” he said. “They need to know that they’re loved. They need to know that they’re appreciated. A coach’s job is to provide clarity, accountability and support, and as long as you’re giving them constant feedback ... That constant feedback is huge. You don’t get many surprises with that.”
(Bethany Baker | The Salt Lake Tribune) From left, University of Utah President Taylor Randall, head football coach Morgan Scalley, and athletic director Mark Harlan hold up a jersey during an introductory news conference at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026.
He’s also had to keep his eye on bringing new players in, too.
The Utes have been active in the transfer portal early in the cycle.
“We will bring the ones that want to be here, and we will develop them and love them,“ Scalley said. ”The future is bright here. At the end of the day, you’re either in the boat or you’re out."
Pickups in the portal
The Utes have received a handful of commitments since the transfer portal opened on Jan. 2.
Former Oklahoma freshman safety Marcus Wimberly committed to the program on Monday. He redshirted with the Sooners in 2025 and was a three-star recruit in the previous recruiting cycle.
Utah also picked up North Texas sophomore defensive end Ethan Day, who had 53 tackles and 4.5 sacks this season. The Utes needed to find production on the edge after Logan Fano declared for the 2026 NFL Draft and All-American John Henry Daley entered the portal.
(Jessica Tobias | AP) North Texas defensive lineman Ethan Day (90) before a game against Temple in November. Day has committed to play for the Utah Utes in 2026.
Alongside Day, the Utes added Wyoming sophomore defensive tackle Lucas Samsula. He finished the season with eight solo tackles and 1.5 sacks.
“You’ll always have to be physical,” Scalley said of establishing Utah’s identity in the trenches. “[That starts with] establishing the offensive and the defensive lines. I also believe that you have to be innovative. You have to be creative.”
The Utes have also reportedly secured a talented wideout to help new offensive coordinator Kevin McGiven. Utah State transfer wide receiver Braden Pegan, who had more than 900 receiving yards last year under McGiven, is set to join the Utes, according to multiple reports.
If Utah’s bowl performance was any sign of what’s to come, the Utes could let it fly more often than they did under Whittingham.
Player retention
So far, the Utes have earned several commitments from key contributors set to return in 2025.
The Utes have locked down wide receivers Creed Whittemore and Daidren Zipperer.
They’ve also picked up commitments from safeties Jackson Bennee, Rabbit Evans and Nate Ritchie. On Wednesday, running back Wayshawn Parker announced he had re-signed with the Utes.
But the Utes also appear to be saying goodbye to some key contributors from last season. Tight end JJ Buchanan and defensive tackles Jonah Lea’ea and Dallas Vakalahi all entered the transfer portal this week.
Scalley is still waiting on official word from quarterbacks Devon Dampier and Byrd Ficklin, who already signed a deal to return.
(Bethany Baker | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Utes running back Wayshawn Parker (1) runs the ball during the game between the Utah Utes and the Arizona State Sun Devils at The University of Utah in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025.
After bringing McGiven to Salt Lake City to replace offensive coordinator Jason Beck, Scalley’s hoping to sell last year’s top weapons on his new play caller.
“It doesn’t hurt that we already have the skill players that have [been in] a similar system, ” Scalley said. “That’s the beauty for them.”