Utah AD Mark Harlan Opens Up About Big 12 Transition, Kyle Whittingham’s Return
Feb 21, 2025, 2:03 PM
Utah athletic director Mark Harlan speaks at a press conference regarding the University of Utah’s move to the Big 12 Conference at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Monday, Aug. 7, 2023.
SALT LAKE CITY – Utah Athletics Director Mark Harlan and the Utes are more than halfway through their inaugural Big 12 year and they’re taking nothing for granted.
Harlan joined Hans and Scotty G. on the KSL Sports Zone on Friday to talk about the conference, Kyle Whittinghams’ return, and more.
Mark Harlan, Utah On The Right Path In The Big 12
The University of Utah is coming up on eight months as an official member of the Big 12 Conference.
Although all signs pointed toward that being the right decision as it happened, Harlan explained that actually seeing the positives firsthand makes everyone feel great about the current state of the Athletics department.
“I feel really good about it,” Harlan said. “We did a lot of studying and research, and Tom Holmoe was really helpful last year. We’re on the other side of the halfway point. A couple of things really stand out. One of the things we expected, no matter where you go, you’re walking into full arenas. I don’t want to disparage where we came from but that was something you didnt see often. Everybody’s adapting very well.”
As much as the athletes and fans help build the environment, the school’s personnel is what keeps everything running smoothly.
Meeting 15 new Athletics Directors and countless coaches seems daunting. Harlan said that not only has the transition gone well, but it’s been seamless.
“What’s been really great is getting to know the new athletics directors and coaches,” Harlan said. “(I’ve) been really impressed with a lot of people in this conference and starting to develop really strong partnerships with many members.”
Just something poetic about winter workouts 🙌 pic.twitter.com/pjFIRv41m2
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) February 20, 2025
Speaking of coaches, one of the biggest talking points for Utah athletics in its first season in the Big 12 was around the head football coach.
After a rough football year, it was unclear what the next steps for Whittingham would be. Utah had already named a coach-in-waiting and Whittingham surpassed the two-decade mark in 2024.
According to Harlan, the underwhelming season resulted in Whittingham buying back in as opposed to hanging up the headset.
“At the end of the year, we talked about what (Kyle Whittingham) is feeling,” Harlan said. “He asked for a little bit more time to go through that process in his head. We had that last game and came back and he took the time he needed. He and President (Taylor) Randall and I, he said, “Guys, I want to come back. I want to get this thing back to where I know it should be.'”
Not only did Whittingham buy back in though. He’s more fired up than ever.
Utah Football has been very active in the offseason both with recruiting and in the transfer portal. Harlan made his excitement for the 2025 football season known.
“I could see the fire coming out,” Harlan said. “Since that moment, it’s been as it usually is, but it seems even more so. Just a sprint to get the things right that we want to get right. To retain the lion’s share of the must-havers made for a great offseason for the Utes.”
