The opportunity to coach under Morgan Scalley at Utah, Jordan Gross ‘not taking it lightly’
Mar 26, 2026, 3:57 PM | Updated: Mar 30, 2026, 11:03 am
SALT LAKE CITY — When Morgan Scalley took over Utah football, he didn’t just need coaches, he needed people he trusted and believed in.
So instead of playing it safe, Scalley made one of the boldest moves of his young tenure — handing the offensive line to Jordan Gross, a first-time college assistant with no traditional résumé but deep roots in the program.
It wasn’t a hire built on conventional thinking. It was built on belief — years of it — and a shared understanding of what Utah football is supposed to be.
Answering Morgan Scalley’s call
When Morgan Scalley reached out, Jordan Gross didn’t need much convincing. Because this wasn’t a cold call. This was years in the making.
Scalley had recruited Gross long before this opening — believing in his football mind, his ability to teach, and his fit within Utah’s identity.
Still, when the timing finally aligned, Gross understood the significance of this move.
“I asked Coach Scalley if he was sure he wanted to do this when he brought me onto the staff, because the offensive line hire is a big one,” Gross shared. “At the time, Coach McGiven wasn’t fully in place yet, so there was some risk on his end.”
“That’s not something I take lightly. It gives me a real sense of pride and responsibility to make sure I do this job at a high level.
This is Coach Scalley’s first opportunity as a head coach, and he chose me to be part of it. I want to do right by him, the university, and everyone involved.” – Jordan Gross
So when Scalley laid out his vision — how he wanted the program to operate, where he believed it could go — the decision became obvious.
And for Gross, that trust hit differently — because it came from someone who understands exactly what Utah football is supposed to look like. Both came up through the program together as players, shaped by the same foundation, speaking the same language about toughness, development, and accountability.
“I just couldn’t say no,” Gross said.
This was about being part of something he believed in — and showing up for a head coach stepping into the biggest moment of his career. And more than anything, it was about not letting that belief go to waste.
“I have a lot of confidence in my ability to coach these guys, but I also understand the trust he put in me — and I’m going to make sure I earn that every day,” he stated.
Building a room from scratch
“This is a blank slate opportunity for all of us,” he said of his new offensive line room.
No preconceived depth chart. No carryover bias. No reputations being protected. Everything is being evaluated in real time.
And that approach matters, especially in a developmental room like offensive line. It creates competition. It creates buy-in.
But that doesn’t mean there isn’t familiarity here. Gross has been able to spend a lot of time around this group the last couple years, and there is already a belief in him amongst the players.
“Fortunately, I’ve been around this group quite a bit,” he shared. “Even last year, I spent a few days down here working with the O-line during their offseason program, so there was already some familiarity, they have a sense of who I am.”
Perhaps that is represented in the fact that the majority of players in the room, stayed here, despite the opportunity to hit the transfer portal.
“When it was announced I’d be the next coach, the best part was there wasn’t a mass exodus from that room, that says a lot to me,” Gross shared. “My approach since then has been simple — be transparent, be honest, and show them how excited I am about the opportunity.”
Gross has leaned into transparency from day one — telling players exactly how he operates, what he expects, and how they’ll be evaluated.
“I’m going to prepare like crazy, I’m going to make mistakes, and we’re all going to operate with a growth mindset,” he said.
Learning the college game — fast
On the field, Gross is comfortable. That’s never been the question though. Off the field is where there’s been a bit of an adjustment.
Recruiting calendars. Class schedules. NCAA structure. The day-to-day machinery of college football.
“It’s been a learning curve, mostly things off the field,” Gross said.
With strong institutional support and a staff aligned behind Scalley, Gross said the transition has moved quickly — to the point where it already feels natural.
📈📈📈 pic.twitter.com/lu3A7yP01x
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) March 25, 2026
“And now I look back, it seems like I’ve been here longer than I have… we’re rolling.”
If there’s one area where Gross already feels at home, it’s recruiting. Years as a high school coach built that foundation. Now, when he hits the road to recruit, it’s just about being honest.
“It’s been a lot of fun, I’ve been in a space where I was talking with high school kids every day, so there’s a real level of comfort there,” Gross said of his time as a high school head coach. “So, it’s not really a pitch, it’s just being honest.”
And when it comes to recruiting offensive linemen specifically, Gross feels particularly confident in his messaging to prospects.
“Utah has always been strong when it comes to offensive line play, and that tradition helps in recruiting,” he shared. “It goes back well before my time as a player, and my own experience adds a level of credibility — there’s some proof that I know what I’m talking about, even though playing and coaching are obviously different paths.”
Utah has always been at its best when it identifies and develops players who align with its identity. Gross understands that. And he’s doubling down on it.
“The right Utah fits will want to come to Utah,” he said. “If they love somewhere else more, I’ll wish them the best.”
Aligning with Scalley’s vision
Ask Gross to describe Scalley’s program, and he doesn’t go schematic. He goes cultural.
“He said it best… ‘I’m gonna love you to death, but I’m gonna rip your face off,’” Gross said.
That’s the identity. High energy. Positive environment. Relentless standards. And most importantly — consistency from the top down.
When the message is clear and consistent, development accelerates. Accountability sticks. And players don’t get mixed signals.
Gross sees that alignment as a major advantage early in Scalley’s tenure. And he’s all-in on where it’s headed.
“He wants to win a national championship, I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t believe that.”
The Bottom Line
The opportunity to coach at Utah, and more specifically, under Morgan Scalley, was something that Gross simply did not want to pass up.
Despite the lack of a real P4 resume, Scalley is betting that belief, culture, and personal experience will outweigh convention. That hiring someone who gets Utah — who lived it, and believes in where it’s going — matters more than checking every traditional box.
And Gross is matching that bet with urgency, knowing exactly what’s at stake.
