Nov 30, 2013; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Utes head coach Kyle Whittingham paces the sideline during the second half against the Colorado Buffaloes at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Utah won 24-17. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
So now begins the off-season questions. And we’ll spend the next few weeks chatting about them because out side of tomorrow night and a game against BYU, there isn’t much to chat about in the basketball arena. So where to start.
Might as well start with the coaching staff.
First, I have to say anyone talking about firing Kyle is crazy. In fact, anyone talking about firing Kyle next year short of an 0-12 season where we lose at home to Georgia Southern and it’s clear the team has quit or a scandal, is crazy. Utah just finished their football facility and next year will be the first year we’re at full Pac-12 money. I think it’s important for that we give Kyle a true chance, a fully loaded gun if you will, to coach and recruit in the Pac-12.
We have seen what he can do with that, see the Sugar Bowl, so why not give him that chance.
Plus I’m always in favor of firing a coach too late rather than too soon. The idea that you’ll save recruits or something else by making a quick move is a myth. If you wait until it’s clear it is not getting better, you’ll make a better coaching hire and a good coaching hire can fix A LOT of problems quickly. And I am not one who thinks we couldn’t find a very good coach. I just happen to think we have one now.
Things got better this year. We’re an interception through the hands of Michael Walker away from being where a lot of people thought we would. If Schulz can throw only one pick six, we likely beat Washington St. If we can stay healthy and a couple of other things go our way, it could have been 8 or 9 wins.
I beg you folks to look back to 2007. Our season was all but lost in the first game, when Brian Johnson was hurt and Matt Asiata was lost for the year. Several other injuries caused a lot of youth to play. Hell we were shut out at UNLV and a lot of people including myself wondered if this wasn’t going to work out. A year later we’re kicking Alabama’s ass in the Sugar Bowl.
Some people want coaching changes. Kyle has alternatively brought in Norm Chow and Dennis Erickson to fix the offense. I fully believe he’ll make the changes that are necessary if they are. Maybe on the O-line or in the secondary, I don’t know. But it’s a decision best not made by fans.
I honestly think the best thing is to give this all a chance. Rome wasn’t built in a day.