The Utes unexpectedly hired Morgan Scalley as offensive coordinator.
(Anna Fuder | Utah Athletics) Utah football coach Morgan Scalley watches practice in Salt Lake City on July 30, 2025.
Utah head coach Morgan Scalley has found his offensive coordinator.
The Utes announced the hiring of Utah State offensive coordinator Kevin McGiven on Saturday. McGiven spent one season with the Aggies and head coach Bronco Mendenhall before agreeing to a deal with the Utes.
The move comes after former Utah offensive coordinator Jason Beck and other Utes assistants followed Kyle Whittingham to the Michigan Wolverines.
“Kevin is one of the brightest offensive minds in college football,” Scalley said in a news release. “His ability to innovate and adapt to different personnel is extremely impressive and he brings a scheme and mentality that is perfect for the playmakers we have here at Utah.”
Under McGiven, Utah State finished as the third-best offense in the Mountain West this season, averaging over 30 points and 400 yards per game en route to a 6-7 record and an appearance in the Idaho Potato Bowl.
Former Utah quarterback Bryson Barnes had his best collegiate season under McGiven, passing for 2,803 yards and 18 touchdowns. Barnes also ran the ball 189 times for 740 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns.
With McGiven’s official commitment, the Utes and Scalley will have to focus on keeping both freshman linebacker Byrd Ficklin and junior linebacker Devon Dampier. The NCAA transfer portal opened Friday and is scheduled to close Jan. 16.
Here’s a preview of how the rest of Scalley’s coaching staff is shaping up.
Defensive coordinator
(Chris Samuels | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah football coach Colton Swan speaks to the media on the first day of fall camp in Salt Lake City, Monday, July 31, 2023.
Linebackers coach Colton Swan will take over for Scalley as Utah’s defensive coordinator.
Swan has been with the Utes since 2019. During his tenure overseeing the program’s linebackers, he developed five players who went on to play in the NFL.
“Our defense will reflect what this program has always stood for – smart, tough and relentless football – values instilled over the years by Coach Scalley and Coach Whittingham,” Swan said in a news release. “We welcome the expectation of the championship in 2026 and I look forward to working with our players.”
Offensive line
Carolina Panthers tackle Jordan Gross, right, is picked up by wide receiver Steve Smith after Smith scored the team’s first touchdown in the second quarter against the New England Patriots during Super Bowl XXXVIII in Houston, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2004. Muhsin Muhammad (87) of the Panthers, left, is. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)
Former Ute lineman and 11-year NFL veteran Jordan Gross will take over the role vacated by Jim Harding.
Gross spent the last four seasons as the head coach at Fruitland High School in Idaho, where he mentored Utah five-star Kelvin Obot.
“I’m excited to be back home at the U,” Gross said. “The opportunity to be a part of Coach Scalley’s team is a once in a lifetime opportunity and we have some great days ahead of us.”
Safety trainer
Former Utah quarterback Derrick Odum (1989-92) is returning to his alma mater.
Odum has been San Jose State’s defensive coordinator for the past nine years. Earlier in his career, he spent three seasons coaching safeties in Utah from 2005 to 2007.
“Derrick is a man from Utah who is one of the best teachers and evaluators I’ve ever had,” Scalley said. “He has a proven track record of developing some of the best defensive backs in the country and brings a wealth of knowledge from coordinated defense over the past nine years.”
Other needs
The Utes appear to have retained linebackers coach Mark Atuaia, defensive backs coach Sharrieff Shah and defensive backs coach Luther Ellis.
The Utes have not announced replacements for quarterbacks coach Koy Detmer Jr., tight ends coach Freddie Whittingham, defensive ends coach Lewis Powell or wide receivers coach Micah Simon, all of whom followed Beck and Whittingham to Michigan.
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