Morgan Scalley takes over as Utah’s head coach following an 11-2 overall and 7-2 Big 12 campaign in 2025 after previously serving as the Utes’ defensive coordinator. Kevin McGiven arrives from Utah State as offensive coordinator, while Devon Dampier returns at quarterback. Wayshawn Parker returns after averaging 76 rushing yards per game last season. Utah must replace its top three receivers from 2025, with Tobias Merriweather entering 2026 as the most experienced member of the group with 34 career receptions. Daidren Zipperer returns after missing last season due to injury, while Utah State transfer Braden Pegan and San Jose State transfer Kyri Shoels join the receiving corps. Utah will replace all five starters along the offensive line in 2026. Solatoa Moea’i provides the most proven starting experience among the projected replacements with seven career starts, while Zereoue Williams, Alex Harrison, Keith Olson, and Cedric Jefferson enter the season with limited starting experience.
Colton Swan takes over as defensive coordinator with Utah returning four of its top eleven tacklers from last season, including its top two in Johnathan Hall and Jackson Bennee. Hall, Bennee, and Elijah Davis return as full-time starters, although the Utes must replace seven of their top nine tacklers from last year’s defense. Kash Dillon returns along a defensive line that will feature three new starters, while North Texas transfer Ethan Day joins the group. Hall returns at linebacker, while Bennee and Elijah Davis provide experience in a secondary that will feature several new contributors.
Sharrieff Shah returns as special teams coordinator with Dillon Curtis back at placekicker after working his way back from an injury that affected him last season. Orion Phillips returns for his second season at punter, while Mana Carvalho is back in the punt return game after returning a punt for a touchdown last season. Daniel Bray also returns with experience on kickoff returns. Utah enters 2026 with a new head coach and new coordinators on both sides of the ball while returning its starting quarterback, leading rusher, and leading tackler. The Utes face significant turnover at receiver and along the offensive line while replacing seven of their top nine tacklers on defense.