‘Nothing but the utmost respect’: Morgan Scalley’s deep relationship with Big 12 coaches includes recruiting one to Utah

FRISCO, Texas — Morgan Scalley has spent his whole life at the University of Utah, from its shadow as a former football and rugby star at nearby Highland High to his days as an All-American safety to 19 years coaching under mentor Kyle Whittingham.

The first-year head coach is plenty familiar with coaches around the Big 12, including former co-worker Kalani Sitake who is now in his 11th season at BYU. But one coach predates any other association.

After he had been a graduate assistant for two years, the young coach was assigned to scout prospects in Colorado — where he “absolutely loved” a certain 6-foot-4, long-limbed quarterback with limited offers from Loveland, about 46 miles north of Denver.

Unable to visit him as a graduate assistant, Scalley had the teenager “come to us” to see if he would be a good fit for the program, he explained in his first Big 12 football media days appearance as a head coach.

“On his own dime, he showed up on campus in a suit and tie — and left without an offer,” Scalley said. “But you know who offered him? Kansas State. It was Collin Klein.

“Isn’t that crazy?”

In an alternate reality, perhaps Klein — the 36 year old who became the sixth-youngest head coach in the Football Bowl Subdivision this past spring — could have ended up at Utah. Instead, the former Texas A&M offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach went on to a standout career in Manhattan, Kansas, leading the Wildcats to a 21-5 record in two years as a starter including a No. 1 national ranking, Big 12 championship and Fiesta Bowl berth in 2012 en route to Johnny United Award recognition.

For his part, the 61% passer who finished his career with 4,724 yards and 30 touchdowns with 15 interceptions still remembers that unofficial visit to Salt Lake City — right down to lunch with a former Utah star quarterback.

“He took me around, showed me the facilities; we went down to eat lunch at a burger joint in downtown Salt Lake right off the mountain — and had lunch with Brian Johnson, who was going into his senior year,” Klein recalled of the former Utah signal caller who led the Utes’ 13-0 season that included a Sugar Bowl win over Alabama in 2008. “Coach Scalley was tremendous. He was an unbelievable relationship builder, energy, detailed; I knew he was going to be an unbelievable coach.

“I had no idea we’d end up coaching against each other in the same league as head coaches. But an unbelievable coach, an unbelievable person, and I absolutely remember that touch, for sure.”

A lot of moments have led Scalley to his first head coaching job, at 46 years and at his alma mater in his hometown. That includes an unofficial recruiting visit that didn’t lead to a commitment by a future great pocket passer.

But nothing could’ve prepared him for being added to the group chat — he still doesn’t know who did it — with Big 12 head coaches that includes Klein, Sitake, Arizona State’s Kenny Dillingham and Arizona’s Brent Brennan, whom Scalley called “hilarious.” 

“There are some funny dudes, man,” he said. “I have nothing but the utmost respect for the head coaches in this conference and the job that they do. I’ve seen it first-hand, scheming against them, and the way they coach. It’s a great conference to be a part of.

“It’s funny how their personalities show up in the chat,” Scalley added. “I’ve learned a lot from just reading some of their comments.”