Kyle Whittingham Signs New Contract, Gets Raise Following 2021 Football Success
Jun 15, 2022, 9:53 AM | Updated: 11:56 am
Head coach Kyle Whittingham of the Utah Utes looks on during the fourth quarter against the Ohio State Buckeyes in the Rose Bowl Game at Rose Bowl Stadium on January 01, 2022 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
(Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY- Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham is in for a big pay raise (and a new contract) after the Rose Bowl success of his 2021 football team. The new contract still goes through 2027, but increases his pay to $6 million in the 2022 season and up to $8 million to the end of the original contract. The pay increase includes money not only from Whittingham’s raise from Utah ($6.5 million), but Under Armour and Learfield as well ($1.5 million). Interestingly enough Utah’s contract with Under Armour is up at the same time as Whittingham’s contract.
An interesting aside to Whittingham’s new contract? It’s 22 pages long- a number that has become a calling card of the program in honor of Ty Jordan and Aaron Lowe who tragically passed away nine months apart during last year’s campaign.
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Utah Athletic Director Mark Harlan released a statement early Wednesday morning crediting Whittingham for his work elevating the status of Utah football both on the field and in the classroom.
“Kyle Whittingham has elevated our football program to the highest levels of success, while also establishing a culture of excellence that prioritizes the academic achievement and overall development of our student-athletes,” Harlan said. “It is important that we continue to invest in our football program, and equip Coach Whittingham and his coaching staff with sufficient resources to be able to sustain success that ultimately benefits all of our athletics programs and our entire department. This is a commitment that recognizes what Coach Whittingham and his program have achieved, and reinforces our intention to build upon that success in the years to come.”
Kyle Whittingham Contract Bonuses
On top of a hefty pay raise, Whittingham will also receive performance based bonuses for New Years 6 Bowl or Playoff appearances ($400,000), playing in the Pac-12 Conference Championship game ($100,000), as well as academic based bonuses ranging from $10,000-$75,000 depending on Academic Progress Rate and Graduation Success Rate of the program.
A Season To Remember
Whittingham earns his pay increase on the heels of one of the toughest, but most rewarding seasons in Utah football history. The Utes had to rally after two shocking deaths of teammates Jordan and Lowe in order to win their first Pac-12 Championship and earn their first invite to the illustrious Rose Bowl.
Year 17 ➡️ Year 18
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) June 15, 2022
Utah started the 2021 season on a slow note loosing games to BYU and San Diego State early in the year. The turning point for the Utes came upon the benching of original starter Charlie Brewer for Cam Rising toward the end of the SDSU game. From there on there was a noticeable shift in Utah’s demeanor on the field with Rising leading the way to an 8-1 finish in the regular season.
Particularly impressive was Utah’s near identical performances against Oregon late in the season and then again two weeks later in the Championship game going 38-7 and 38-10 respectively. The Utes also wowed in the Rose Bowl going toe-to-toe with one of the most prolific offenses in Ohio State led by CJ Stroud. Even though the Utes came up short 48-45 against the Buckeyes, the performance was enough to launch Utah on a stage they have never seen before with many national pundits believe the Utes could be Playoff contenders in 2022.
