Utah elevated Morgan Scalley to head coach after he led the Utes to a win in the Las Vegas Bowl in December.
Morgan Scalley intends to honor the program’s successful traditions while adapting his approach for Utah’s 2026 season opener against Idaho on Thursday night.
Scalley, who has served as defensive coordinator since 2016, assumed head coaching duties in December after longtime Utah coach Kyle Whittingham resigned to lead Michigan. He guided the Utes to a 44‑22 victory over Nebraska in the Las Vegas Bowl, largely employing Whittingham’s scheme, finishing the season at 11‑2.
The focus now turns entirely to Scalley.
He plans to give dual‑threat quarterback Devon Dampier more freedom, scaling back Whittingham’s run‑first philosophy. Dampier posted 2,490 passing yards with 24 touchdowns and 835 rushing yards with 10 touchdowns in 12 starts last season.
Scalley appointed former Utah State offensive coordinator Kevin McGiven to lead the Utes’ offense, a unit that averaged 31 points per game last season.
McGiven brings a variety of distinctive weapons to the offense. While Scalley aims to preserve the proven formula that has driven Utah’s success, he also plans innovative uses for running back Wayshawn Parker, who topped the Big 12 with a 6.6‑yard-per‑carry average last season, and for 5‑foot‑11, 317‑pound tight end Semi Taulanga. The former three‑star defensive tackle recruit is now making his presence felt by delivering powerful tackles for Utah.
Scalley is confident his presence will be unmistakable.
‘This is a player who can deliver smash‑mouth football and block on the edge,’ Scalley said. ‘He can run routes, catch the ball, and, coming from a defensive‑tackle background in high school, he possesses a wide range of abilities.’
Idaho would need to go back to when Scalley was in middle school to locate any footage of the last meeting between the two teams.
The Vandals defeated Utah in that 1993 matchup and may prefer to recall that result rather than relive last week’s 38‑34 loss to Cal Poly. Idaho led 34‑31 with just over a minute remaining but ultimately yielded a 34‑yard touchdown pass with nine seconds left, resulting in a 0‑1 start.
Senior Idaho quarterback Joshua Wood threw for 363 yards and completed nine passes to wideout Tony Harste for 180 yards and two touchdowns.
A 75‑yard connection in the fourth quarter gave Idaho a 31‑24 advantage, marking the Vandals’ fifth consecutive one‑possession loss since Thomas Ford Jr. assumed leadership before the 2025 season.
A key statistic for Scalley is the Vandals’ allowance of 197 rushing yards.
Wood’s mobility presents a significant threat. He operates behind an offensive line with four of five starters returning from 2025 and has thrown 21 total touchdowns in just 10 games despite a sprained knee.
‘I believe in being efficient and taking what the defense offers,’ Ford said of what Idaho needs from Wood this season. ‘We should avoid relying on hero‑ball plays that force him to extend the throw when a simple boundary hitch would suffice.’
