Urban Meyer Picks Utah’s Kyle Whittingham as College Football’s Best Coach

Meyer praises the culture and discipline that Whittingham has instilled.

College football fans may have been surprised by Utah’s 34–32 win over USC in Week 8, as the Trojans were expected to be one of the best teams in the country. 

However, that result didn’t surprise at least one analyst. Urban Meyer praised Utes coach Kyle Whittingham as the best coach in college football on his Urban’s Take With Tim May podcast. 

“I’ve said many times Kyle Whittingham’s one of the best coaches in college football,” Meyer said. “Now he’s the best. He’s the best coach in college football.” 

UTAH DEFEATS USC ONCE AGAIN!!! WHAT A GAME🔥

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— PFF College (@PFF_College) October 22, 2023

Meyer could be slightly biased. Whittingham was his defensive coordinator at Utah from 2003–04 and took over as head coach when Meyer left for Florida. (Meyer admitted during the podcast that he almost didn’t hire Whittingham.) Ever since, he has thrived in Salt Lake City, compiling a 160–75 record. 

The Utes play with a bruising style that feels like it belongs in the Big Ten more than the flashy Pac-12. 

Utah’s Kyle Whittingham is former Utes coach Urban Meyer’s pick for the best coach in college football :: Rob Gray/USA TODAY Sports

Whittingham’s success this season is especially impressive with quarterback Cam Rising out for the year following a serious knee injury suffered in the Rose Bowl last January. The Utes have continued to win with third-string QB Bryson Barnes, sprinting to a 6–1 record that has them ranked No. 13 in the latest AP Poll. 

Up next for Utah is a clash with No. 8 Oregon (6–1) this Saturday. No. 5 Washington (7–0) looms on Nov. 11. If the Utes win both of those games, Meyer might not be the only one declaring Whittingham the best coach in the sport.