Whittingham has had and will continue to get opportunities to go elsewhere. Utah has always been a stepping stone program. He is only still at Utah because he seems to want to stay at Utah and passed up some big money to do so. But, I guess if you could make $1M a year and live in Utah and your extended family were all in Utah - it helps you pass those things up.
Many coaches have passed through Utah and on and up in the last several years - some better than others. They willo be fine as far as getting coaches goes. But like BYU, they will probably continue to go for someone on the way up and hope they are not a flash in the pan - take the risk - to avoid the $3-5M they would have to pay for someone that has been there and done that.
Florida, Texas, ND, etc., generally do not take that risk and just write a check. And that doesn't always work either.
Utah's issue moving forward will not be coaching - it will be schedule. Same for BYU.
If I were KWhitt, rather than take my $1M and play teams about as good as mine every single week in the PAC 12, and hope to survive unrealistic expectations of fans and boosters - I think I might take the $5M play 3 FCS teams at home every year and then play Vandy, and then play conference foes with fattened up records from them playing 3 FCS teams every year plus Vandy.
Then in 5 years, when he has made more money than he will make in 25 years at Utah - retire unless you are still having a lot of fun coaching.
Now Utah - if they are smart - no indication that they are smart though - gives KWhitt a raise - quick.
How blessed BYU fans are that Edwards, Chow, Bronco, Reynolds, and others have been willing to sacrifice to be in Provo. That is why I try to respect and appreciate them.
