Nebraska's Matt Rhule Weighs In on Utah Coaching Change Ahead of the Las Vegas Bowl

The coaching change at Utah is coming slightly earlier than planned.

The No. 15 Utes had already been planning to transition from Kyle Whittingham to Morgan Scalley, with Whittingham notifying the school he would be stepping down, not retiring, after the Las Vegas Bowl against Nebraska. As both teams arrived to their bowl city on Friday, Whittingham was hired as the next head coach of the Michigan Wolverines.

After more than two decades with Utah, Kyle Whittingham will make his move to the Big Ten Conference and lead Michigan. | Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images

On Saturday in Sin City, Husker coach Matt Rhule was asked about the coaching change for his upcoming opponent.

"I was hearing some rumors that he might get that job maybe about a week ago, kind of before it popped," Rhule told reporters. "I know when he announced it was his last game, I was like, 'Great. One more thing for Utah to be fired up about.'

"But now it's Coach Scalley's first game. They're a great football team. I know they'll be excited."

Rhule said that he had never met Whittingham during their years in coaching, despite both being at Under Armour schools at the same time and being in the same places.

"I don't know him well," Rhule said. "I was looking forward to seeing him. He's done such a great job. But now he'll be at Michigan and he'll be a great fit, I'm sure."

From rallying cry to potential distraction

As Rhule had noted, a potential concern for the Huskers was the rallying cry of the Utah team for their long-time coach. Whittingham took over for Urban Meyer after the 2004 season, leading the Utes up until this week.

Although Whittingham was leaving the program after this game, he was supposed to be in Las Vegas all week. Instead, he traveled with the team to the bowl destination and then informed them he would be leaving immediately. He's set to join the Wolverines at their bowl in Orlando, as they take on Texas just 30 minutes prior to kickoff between the Utes and the Huskers.

Sherrone Moore was fired by Michigan earlier this month. — Sherrone Moore was fired by Michigan earlier this month for cause due to "credible evidence" that Moore engaged in an inappropriate relationship with a staff member. | Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Adding fuel to the distraction fire, offensive coordinator Jason Beck is reportedly set to follow Whittingham to Ann Arbor. Beck guided the Utes to the No. 6 total offense among FBS schools this season. Utah's rushing offense ranked second behind Navy for yards per game. The Utes also ranked highly for third-down conversion percentage and scoring offense.

With all of that potential for a distraction, coach-in-waiting to now head coach Scalley told reporters on Friday that he expects the focus to remain the same.

"I’m fired up," Scalley said. "I’m excited. I mean, there’s going to be learning on the go. At the same time, I have complete trust in our coaching staff and our players. They’re locked in. They’re dialed in."

Scalley does not expect more opt-outs from the bowl game. There have only been three opt-outs among the Utes' two-deep to this point, with all three declaring for the NFL draft: offensive tackle Spencer Fano, offensive tackle Caleb Lomu, and defensive end Logan Fano.

"You see in that first team meeting, guys that are intent on finishing this season off the right way," Scalley said. "Eleven wins, we’ve only had that three times in University of Utah football history and we want to make that four."

Good morning Las Vegas Bowl fans. ❤️🏈#LVBowl | #GoUtes | #GBR pic.twitter.com/l81anzmBwQ
— SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl (@LasVegasBowl) December 27, 2025

Nebraska and Utah will face off on New Year's Eve at 2:30 p.m. CST at Allegiant Stadium. The game will be televised on ESPN.

Have a question or comment for Kaleb? Send an email to kalebhenry.huskermax@gmail.com.

You can watch the full media session from Saturday below. Continue scrolling for more coverage.

Coverage

Omaha World-Herald* | Camp chatter: The scene from Nebraska's Las Vegas Bowl practice and a fired-up Matt Rhule
Omaha World-Herald* | Photos: Nebraska football practices ahead of Las Vegas Bowl
Omaha World-Herald* | Photos: Nebraska and Utah visit Bellagio Hotel before Las Vegas Bowl
Husker247 | WATCH: Sights and sounds from Nebraska's Saturday practice in Las Vegas
Husker247 | Photos from Nebraska's Saturday bowl practice in Las Vegas
Husker247* | Husker bowl practice observations: 'Matt' at work; five early enrollees jump right in
HuskerOnline* | Nebraska Las Vegas Bowl practice nuggets: Rhule talks Utah prep, roster notes
HuskerOnline* | Saturday observations from Nebraska's Las Vegas Bowl practice
HuskerOnline* | Photo Gallery: Scenes from Nebraska's practice in Las Vegas
Hastings Tribune* | Takeaways and observations from Nebraska football's Saturday practice in Las Vegas
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From the Other Side

Video: Coach and player interviews in Las Vegas
Utah Utes On SI | Kyle Whittingham issues statement after being hired by Michigan
Deseret News* | ‘I’m fired up’: Morgan Scalley takes charge of Utah in Las Vegas
Deseret News* | Whittingham’s strange departure from Utah
Salt Lake Tribune* | Utah blew it with Whittingham, all to Michigan’s benefit

More Info

Nebraska Football 2025 Scheduleg

Aug. 28 Nebraska 20, Cincinnati 17
Sep. 6 Nebraska 68, Akron 0
Sep. 13 Nebraska 59, Houston Christian 7
Sep. 20 Michigan 30, Nebraska 27
Oct. 4 Nebraska 38, Michigan State 27
Oct. 11 Nebraska 34, Maryland 31
Oct. 17 Minnesota 24, Nebraska 6
Oct. 25 Nebraska 28, Northwestern 21
Nov. 1 USC 21, Nebraska 17
Nov. 8 Nebraska 28, UCLA 21
Nov. 22 at Penn State 37, Nebraska 10
Nov. 28 Iowa 40, Nebraska 16
Dec. 31 Las Vegas Bowl vs. No. 15 Utah 2:30 p.m. ESPN

Home games are bolded. All times central.

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