WACO, Texas and SAN FRANCISCO-Tuesday, Utah head football coach Kyle Whittingham was named as the Pac-12 coach of the year and the American Football Coaches Association’s Subdivision Region 5 Coach of the year.
Whittingham, the 2008 AFCA FBS National Coach of the Year after leading the Utes to a 13-0 record, a Mountain West Conference championship and an upset win over Alabama in the Sugar Bowl, is a finalist for the National Coach of the Year award from the AFCA. The winner will be announced January 14 during the 2020 AFCA convention at Nashville, Tenn.
Whittingham is presently 131-63 (.675) and in the midst of completing his 15th season as the Utes’ head coach.
This is also Whittingham’s first Pac-12 coach of the year award.
Star senior tailback Zack Moss is the Pac-12’s offensive player of the year. He ran for 1,359 yards (12th nationally) and averaged 113.3 rushing yards (12th nationally) per game on 6.2 yards per carry (19th nationally) and 15 rushing scores (tied for 12th nationally).
He also hauled in 26 receptions for 374 yards and two receiving scores. Overall, Moss netted 1,733 all-purpose yards and 17 total touchdowns, each of which are team bests.
All-conference first-team members include Moss, senior quarterback Tyler Huntley and senior offensive lineman Darrin Paulo on offense.
Making the all-Pac-12 first-team squad for the Utes on defense were senior defensive end Bradlee Anae, senior defensive tackle Leki Fotu, junior defensive end Jaylon Johnson, senior linebacker Francis Bernard and senior defensive back Julian Blackmon. Anae, Fotu and Johnson all repeated last season’s feat of making the all-conference squad.
Making the second all-conference team were sophomore tight end Brant Kuithe and senior defensive tackle John Penisini.
Utes who achieved honorable mention status include senior defensive back Terrell Burgess, junior defensive back Javelin K. Guidry, sophomore linebacker Devin Lloyd, redshirt freshman offensive lineman Simi Moala, sophomore defensive end Mika Tafua, sophomore offensive lineman Nick Ford and junior offensive lineman Orlando Umana.
In news from Monday, defensive coordinator/safeties coach Morgan Scalley agreed to terms on an amendment to his contract.
This will assist in Scalley securing his long-term position with the Utes’ football program.
Scalley is presently in his 12th season as a full-time coach on the Utah staff.
