Morgan Scalley Gets Emotional During Apology To Players, Colleagues

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Defensive coordinator Morgan Scalley, who was recently reinstated following an investigation into the use of a racial slur in 2013, was struggling for words when he addressed the media for the first time since the investigation concluded.

Scalley admitted to addressing the Utah football team via a Zoom meeting yesterday (Tuesday, June 30). He apologized profusely for the pain and hurt in which his actions have caused his players, colleagues, and University.

You can listen to Scalley’s full apology in the teleconference with the media on Wednesday, below.

“My message is simple but sincere and that is I am extremely sorry,” Scalley said. “I want to apologize to the young men that I have coached and am coaching currently. I had the opportunity to address the full team yesterday morning and I expressed to them the complete embarrassment I feel for having hurt them and my fellow colleagues in any way,” he added.

"It's my job to repair any damage that I have done and I look forward to that opportunity." – @SafetyPride #GoUtes @kslsports

— Trevor Allen (@TrevorASports) July 1, 2020

Throughout his apology, Scalley paused, evidently upset by the pain and agony that his actions have caused. He would frequently sniff his nose before trying to speak but unable to do so due to the overwhelming emotions.

“I have reached out to many of my former teammates, players to offer my apologies but have not had the opportunity to connect with all of them, so gentlemen if you’re listening, I apologize, excuse me, I apologize. I am particularly mindful of the young men of color who I have had the blessing of coaching. I understand that my insensitivity and extreme lack of judgment has caused some, if not all of you, to lose trust and faith in me,” Scalley continued.

Morgan Scalley VERY emotional as he addresses his players and others involved in the teleconference. “I sincerely hope that you will give me the opportunity to win that trust back” @Utah_Football

— Alex Kirry (@AlexKirryKSL) July 1, 2020

Scalley Still On The Hill

Scalley returns for his 13th year as an assistant coach under head coach Kyle Whittingham. He has been acting as Utah’s defensive coordinator since 2016 when former defensive coordinator and current BYU head coach Kalani Sitake left the program to take the same role at Oregon State.

Utah’s defense in 2020 will attempt to replace nine starters following a 2020 NFL Draft that saw six Utah defenders drafted.

The first game on the 2020 season schedule for Utah is a blockbuster encounter with arch-rivals Bringham Young University on September 3rd at Rice Eccles Stadium. Utah will be vying for its 10th consecutive victory over the Cougars.

Tom Hackett is a Utah and Real Salt Lake Insider for sports.ksl.com and host of the It’s Utah’s World Podcast (Utah Football themed) and The Lion’s Den Podcast (Real Salt Lake themed). Follow him on Twitter: @TomCantHackett.