Utah DC Morgan Scalley Knows He Has Lots Of Work To Do To Gain Players’ Trust
Oct 9, 2020, 9:40 AM | Updated: Oct 10, 2020, 12:10 am
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Utah defensive coordinator Morgan Scalley understands that he still has a lot of work to do to gain the trust of his players back.
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The Utah DC spoke to the media for the first team since the investigation in June into Scalley using a racial slur in a text message back in 2013.
Utah football opens up training camp on Friday afternoon.
“It’s been a blessing, you know, to just to be back with the players again. Understanding that I’ve got a lot of work to do in terms of again gaining their trust back. Had a lot of very open and honest conversations with our players. It’s been fantastic,” Scalley said. “I love my job, I love teaching and coaching and been involved not only with the players on our team, but also doing things within the athletic department so it’s been a blessing to be back with the players that I love.”
— Mark Harlan (@MarkHarlan_AD) June 5, 2020
In order for Scalley to be reinstated, he had to follow these stipulations:
1) Coach Scalley will engage with leadership of the University’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion team, including Vice President Mary Ann Villarreal. He will participate in regular and ongoing diversity and inclusion education, and will be expected to be a key partner in addressing issues of racism and bias in the Utah Athletics Department, the University and the broader community.
2) In December 2019, the University and Coach Scalley verbally agreed to a multi-year extension of his contract, increasing his annual compensation to $1.1 million. Instead, his new contract will revert to his 2018 compensation level in the form of a one-year term for $525,000.
3) In December 2019, Director of Athletics Mark Harlan extended a verbal offer to Coach Scalley to become the Head Coach In-Waiting, which Harlan has now rescinded.
Coach Whittingham’s Comments On Scalley’s Progress
Utah athletic director Mark Harlan placed Scalley on suspension on June 5 after finding out about the slur used in 2013. The former All-American was reinstated on July 1. Kyle Whittingham was asked on Friday morning about the progress Scalley has made since the incident.
“He’s an outstanding football coach, an outstanding person and we are just forging ahead, we’ve put it behind us. We’ve all learned from it, particularly Morgan from what transpired but we’re just going in a positive direction right now and Morgan has done a great job with you know, how he’s handled it and the strides that he’s made since the incident.”
Scalley’s Statement In June
When placed on suspension in June, Scalley released the following statement.
“In 2013 I made a terrible mistake. I used a racial slur in a text message. This language is offensive and hurtful to not only the African-American community, but to all. Immediately after sending it, I apologized to the recipient and his family,” Scalley said. “I am also heartbroken over the potential breach of trust with my fellow coaches, and with the young men in our program, both past and present.
“I am truly sorry, and I own up to the hurtful effects of my choice,” Scalley continued. “Through my actions and words going forward, I will demonstrate that my use of that slur in 2013 does not reflect or define who I am or what I stand for. My action is indefensible and I will use my voice and position to bring about meaningful and much-needed change. I accept the University’s suspension, and will use it as a time to reflect on my insensitive comment from 2013 and how I intend to listen and grow from this situation. I am completely against racism, and this will never happen again.”
Catch all the latest from the Utes in training camp, here.
Trevor Allen is a Utah Utes Insider for sports.ksl.com and host of the Crimson Corner podcast. Follow him on Twitter: @TrevorASports. You can download and listen to the podcast, here.
