Reader comments: Whittingham regrets Utes' onside kick
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BYU fan | 2:17 a.m. Nov. 12, 2007
Wyoming was never a bastion of good sportsmanship. Good for the Utes, I'm glad they throttled them. But you'll still be 2nd in the MWC.
stu | 4:35 a.m. Nov. 12, 2007
The AD for Utah should have had the sense to call Kyle into his office and give him a spanking. Everybody is focusing on the on side kick. What about the flea flicker and the fake punt and other plays and not taking your players out earlier. Kyle admitted to having his emotions get away with him. That may be true once, but so many other factors remain unrepentant and unaccounted for. I think cougars fans got the classier guy. He acted like a guy who stole the girl at the beach, (which the utes did), needless to kick sand in the face too.
Taylor. C | 5:19 a.m. Nov. 12, 2007
No question about it, unsportsmanlike behavior.
Good teams are usually a class act, this was immature and petty.
Good teams are usually a class act, this was immature and petty.
Comments continue below
MY | 5:28 a.m. Nov. 12, 2007
What a hoot! Utah gets even for the way Wyoming treated them last year (and they did not "take it easy" on Utah. They would have run up the score to 100 if they could have). Now Wyoming seems to have forgotten where this all began and they are going to get even with Utah next year. Wyoming, you reap what you sow.
Calculated | 6:12 a.m. Nov. 12, 2007
Sorry. I don't by Kwitt's "apology". I watched the game from start to finish, and that onsides kick was a calculated move. He wasn't caught up in an "emotional" moment, despite all the other trick plays he ran.
The play was classless (look at what the score was when it happened) and it will come back to bite him.
The play was classless (look at what the score was when it happened) and it will come back to bite him.
Don White | 6:14 a.m. Nov. 12, 2007
I have never been a believer in "pilling it on" against bad teams, but in this case you have a fine Wyoming team that had the potential to come back and beat Utah in the second half. The score was 40-0 after one half and Utah only scored 10 points thereafter, running the ball 18 of 19 attempts in the last quarter. To be completely true to die-hard Utah fans a Utah coach should never let up on a worthy opponent.How many times has "Cowboy Joe" let up on the Utes? Is this a college athletic competition or are we out on the lawn playing a friendly game of croquet and to sooth the feelings of an obviously frusted losing Coach Glenn? Advice to Coach Whittingham: before you let up on anyone, think of your own players first and your loyal fans.They don't come to see a super team like the Utes suddenly become mediocre. Letting up in sports, in baseball or boxing for example, is actually dishonest and can get you suspended. Players who come to play should never be asked to take it easy on the opponent, even to satisfy some "good-old-boy" coaches network.
premature | 6:32 a.m. Nov. 12, 2007
Now have a better definition of class. Reading this article and seeing the Coach's show last night, Kyle IS remorseful about his decision. Now that he has publicly said he is regretful judge his class now. He did not throw more wood on the fire and say Wyoming deserved more, he expressed remorse.
How many fans will now step back and reconsider their comments about coach Kyle? I doubt we see many of you come back in with comments that you may have regret for what you said about his being "classless."
Go Utes and keep up the good work Kyle!
How many fans will now step back and reconsider their comments about coach Kyle? I doubt we see many of you come back in with comments that you may have regret for what you said about his being "classless."
Go Utes and keep up the good work Kyle!
NC | 6:45 a.m. Nov. 12, 2007
Sorry Whit...it was still extremely classless. Step it up and be the man that BYU thought you were when they offered you Bronco's job.
coach | 6:45 a.m. Nov. 12, 2007
I used to tell the quarter back to fumble the ball or throw an interception to the other team and get away so he didn't get hurt.
There are many ways to apologize for running up the score..
There are many ways to apologize for running up the score..
Jimmy's Sneakers | 6:47 a.m. Nov. 12, 2007
Jimmy thinks Glenn got we he deserved. It is one thing for a player to foolishly guarantee victory, but quite another for the head coach to do so. Jimmy thinks what is good for the goose is good for the gander.
hosstalk | 6:49 a.m. Nov. 12, 2007
excuses are symptoms of thoughtlessness
Classless | 6:49 a.m. Nov. 12, 2007
Whittingham - classless? Yewts - classless? I never knew. And by the way, why does it take a guarantee from the other team to motivate the yewts?
Utah Man | 6:51 a.m. Nov. 12, 2007
Why is everyone still talking about the stupid onside? Get over it!!! Utah wasn't trying to run up the score, there was like 12 minutes in the third and it's not Utah's fault Wyoming can't stop them!
I mean seriously, people are making to big a deal of this whole situation.
GO UTES!!!!!!!
PS- Now it's time for New Mexico......Gonna be a good game......Prediction: Utah-27 UNM-13
I mean seriously, people are making to big a deal of this whole situation.
GO UTES!!!!!!!
PS- Now it's time for New Mexico......Gonna be a good game......Prediction: Utah-27 UNM-13
guaranteed win? | 6:54 a.m. Nov. 12, 2007
How is it that the Utes are so insecure that they take a comment like that as a "spit in the face"? I think every time I play any sport that I am going to win. If I don't, then congratulations to the other team, but I would think that every time you go out there, you should expect to win - whether you say it or not.
Fan in MS | 6:58 a.m. Nov. 12, 2007
How can Coach Glenn be mad at Utah for an onside kick, when he makes a childish comment that guarantees a victory over a team that he knows is playing better than his?
I admit that the onside kick wasn’t the smartest decision ever made by a coach, but it isn’t quite in the class of guaranteeing a victory either. Both coaches made a mistake last week. Glenn’s was just a worse one.
I admit that the onside kick wasn’t the smartest decision ever made by a coach, but it isn’t quite in the class of guaranteeing a victory either. Both coaches made a mistake last week. Glenn’s was just a worse one.
Texas Fan | 7:02 a.m. Nov. 12, 2007
If you are a mature respectable coach and the score is 43-0 you do not allow this to happen: "At times your emotions get in the way of sound decision-making." I hope Coach Whittingham has called Coach Glenn and apologized. If Coach Glenn is still at Wyoming next year I hope he shows he is a better man and does not do something he will regret. Sportsmanlike conduct at all times is the best way to go.
Gene | 7:09 a.m. Nov. 12, 2007
I acceept Kyle's regret for trying the onsides kick. As an Alumni I am proud of the U of U. I don't want to see things that embarrase the school. Let's put this to rest. Enough said.
Go Utah, finish a successful season.
Go Utah, finish a successful season.
True Blue Y Fan | 7:18 a.m. Nov. 12, 2007
Yea he had better. I don't like the U at all, but that lost all respect that I have ever had for them of for kyle. Well the Y will show the U who is boss.
Gretzky | 7:29 a.m. Nov. 12, 2007
Wittingham is classless. Case closed. Go Cougars!!!
GEA | 7:31 a.m. Nov. 12, 2007
Interesting. On the "Red Zone" (Channel 4) last night night KW expressed no remorse for the onside kick and in fact tried to justify it. Maybe it was taped before his afternoon remarks. I doubt it though.
bluefan | 7:37 a.m. Nov. 12, 2007
I just get more and more happy Whittingham didn't accept BYU's offer.
Aaron | 7:41 a.m. Nov. 12, 2007
I'm glad that Coach Whittingham is sorry, but he has been involved in football for his whole life. Emotion is a lame excuse, and it was a low-class thing to do. This is how bad blood is created. Anyone remember Crowton's feud with Air Force?
Coach C | 7:43 a.m. Nov. 12, 2007
Whit said. "You have to be accountable. You can't just wash it by the way side. "
Sooooo, Whit. While you will be named the coach of the year in the MWC and will most likely beat BYU AND have the backing of the Utah media. The ons-sides kick while up 43-0 was Bush-league at best.
I appreciate the apology, however, I think this action spoke volumes about you. I have a few former players on your team. I recommend you live up to the committment they made to you. I expect you to be a role model, not a jerk, regardless of the comments and actions the other coach and team made. I look to your actions, not his.
Good luck for the rest of the season and beyond, but I refuse to recommend your program in the future. As you stated, "You have to be accountable."
Sooooo, Whit. While you will be named the coach of the year in the MWC and will most likely beat BYU AND have the backing of the Utah media. The ons-sides kick while up 43-0 was Bush-league at best.
I appreciate the apology, however, I think this action spoke volumes about you. I have a few former players on your team. I recommend you live up to the committment they made to you. I expect you to be a role model, not a jerk, regardless of the comments and actions the other coach and team made. I look to your actions, not his.
Good luck for the rest of the season and beyond, but I refuse to recommend your program in the future. As you stated, "You have to be accountable."
No Respect | 7:51 a.m. Nov. 12, 2007
Even though I'm not a Utes fan I had more respect than that for Wittingham. That was clearly a lack of class.
Non-believer | 7:53 a.m. Nov. 12, 2007
Sorry Whittinham don't believe your excuse for a minute. The excitement of the game - PLEEESE. Don't want to be you when you travel to Laramie next year. The Cowboys have a history of giving as good as they get. Instead of calling you Coach Whittingham, let's just call you "No-class" Whittngham. Absolutely no excuse. You are such a role model for your players. NOT Glad you are not at BYU. Standards are a little higher there.
Anonymous | 7:56 a.m. Nov. 12, 2007
This whole thing is about respect? Whittingham wasn't teaching his team respect Saturday. His regrets come a little too late.
Wow Whittingham | 7:58 a.m. Nov. 12, 2007
Great game for the Utes! It looks like they have it going at just the right time (the end of the season) where they have a chance to win out and grab a share of the title. You have to wonder about Whittingham saying his judgement was clouded in the heat of the moment. Decision making is most important when emotions are high. Isn't that why you have coaches? Wow Whittingham!
3rd Gen Cougar Fan | 8:01 a.m. Nov. 12, 2007
Glad to see Whittingham take some responsibility for his poor decision to attempt the onside kick after going up 43-0. It was definitely not a very classy move, and tainted an otherwise amazing performance from Utah. The CSTV commentators were speechless and could come to no other conclusion other than that it was "classless" and that it tainted the victory quite a bit. Glenn's response with the single finger salute was even more juvenile. I hope he gets reprimanded by the league. I think that way too much was made of the guarantee though. Glenn was not speaking to the media, or to the Utes, he was speaking to boosters and it was blown WAY out of proportion. Obviously Whittingham and staff used the statement to motivate his players and I don't blame him for doing so, but I don't think it was justification for the "in your face" onside kick, and to hear Whittingham use it as an excuse for in the post game press conference was disgusting. I am glad to see he is backing away from that now.
WilkeCollins | 8:05 a.m. Nov. 12, 2007
Hmmm....Classless is letting the bird fly in a situation like that. I know the disrespect goes both ways but a gesture like that has no place anywhere in the game and I have yet to read that Glenn apologized for that.
Kyle is Kobra Kai Sensai | 8:05 a.m. Nov. 12, 2007
Strike first, strike hard, no mercy sir!
justme | 8:09 a.m. Nov. 12, 2007
The Wyoming coach ate his words, for sure. But when it became obvious that the outcome was never in doubt, Whittingham should have taken the "higher road" and not used it as an excuse to run up the score.
Now, next year the Cowboys will have every reason to be extra motivated when Utah visits their field. Things like this tend to even out in life, so, if not next year, then sometime soon the Utes will reap what they've sown. I know that I'll be watching...
Now, next year the Cowboys will have every reason to be extra motivated when Utah visits their field. Things like this tend to even out in life, so, if not next year, then sometime soon the Utes will reap what they've sown. I know that I'll be watching...
Brilliant Move | 8:12 a.m. Nov. 12, 2007
Kyle knows what he is doing. He knows the schedule and he knows the standings. Wyoming is mad. Wyoming is spitting nails right now while preparing for BYU.
After this weekend we will control our own destiny as far as the conference championship goes.
The late apology was to appease the media.
After this weekend we will control our own destiny as far as the conference championship goes.
The late apology was to appease the media.
rockhound | 8:14 a.m. Nov. 12, 2007
No more sportsmanship in college football. Everyone talks a big game, and there is much sportmanship AFTER the deeds are done. The conference has a sportsmanship policy, but never enforces it....blah, blah, blah. No wonder our high school kids and coaches do what they do.
non story | 8:16 a.m. Nov. 12, 2007
The Utes scored 40 points in the first half and only 10 in the second. There is no story here.
Scott | 8:18 a.m. Nov. 12, 2007
I do not consider by only adding 10 points thru an entire half of football running up the score!
Certainly if Utah could score 40 in the first half it was also possible for Wyoming to do the same!
You act like no team has over comeback from a half time Lead!! Second guessing after a game is always easy! Try it during the game I bet your result will be much different!
Certainly if Utah could score 40 in the first half it was also possible for Wyoming to do the same!
You act like no team has over comeback from a half time Lead!! Second guessing after a game is always easy! Try it during the game I bet your result will be much different!
running up score | 8:20 a.m. Nov. 12, 2007
I appreciate the argument for running up the score. I can see why some people would be for it. But keep this in mind: When you do something like what the utes did, you risk injury. Wyoming sees something like that and suddenly they are out to get the ute players. They take low hits on them. They try and twist arms and legs when tackling. If you want to run up the score, go for it. But if you do, be prepared for possible injuries. If a key player gets injured while you are running up the score, be prepared to accept the responsibility and look really really bad as a coach...that just shows immaturity and wont score Kyle any brownie points with is AD....
Classy Utes?!? | 8:25 a.m. Nov. 12, 2007
What a baby! Fussy! Whiney! Everything Utes say they don't want to be.
That was a pathetic show of emotion. Whittingham wasn't even over it after the game, clearly put out and upset in post game interviews. Over what? Nothing warranted that poor display.
That was a pathetic show of emotion. Whittingham wasn't even over it after the game, clearly put out and upset in post game interviews. Over what? Nothing warranted that poor display.
William | 8:25 a.m. Nov. 12, 2007
Are we forgetting the gesture that Wyoming coach made !
Is that acceptable behavior! I think not !
Regardless whether the onside kick was right or wrong,
The gesture was obviously wrong!
Is that acceptable behavior! I think not !
Regardless whether the onside kick was right or wrong,
The gesture was obviously wrong!
DH | 8:25 a.m. Nov. 12, 2007
This is not the nature of sports, it's what's wrong with sports. This was a classless act by a coach who let his emotions dominate him. I don't blame Glen for giving him the bird though it was a shame to see him stoop to Wittingham's level.
Immature | 8:25 a.m. Nov. 12, 2007
Ifyour emotions get away from you in the second half of a game while leading by 42 points, you have a problem. Add me to the lsit of folks who are happy Whit turned down the Y. Two nights before, Bronco had his guys take a knee four yards from a score that would have made a five point win look better -- perhaps learning from the incident that started Gary Crowton 's downfall -- or perhaps because he just has a little more class.
Bill | 8:29 a.m. Nov. 12, 2007
"My emotions got the best of me, and after thinking about it, I wouldn't have done it in hindsight" he explained. "But emotions were running high as you could tell — both from what we did and the reaction on the other team. That's the nature of sports, I guess. At times your emotions get in the way of sound decision-making"
THIS SOUNDS LIKE THE EXCUSE OF A 9 YEAR OLD! I'M SURE GLAD HETOOK THE UTAH JOB. BE SURE TO PUT THIS ON YOUR RESUME, WHITT, MAYBE YOU CAN BECOME THE D-LINE COACH AT OREGON OR FLORIDA.
THIS SOUNDS LIKE THE EXCUSE OF A 9 YEAR OLD! I'M SURE GLAD HETOOK THE UTAH JOB. BE SURE TO PUT THIS ON YOUR RESUME, WHITT, MAYBE YOU CAN BECOME THE D-LINE COACH AT OREGON OR FLORIDA.
Theres more | 8:29 a.m. Nov. 12, 2007
It wasn't just the onside kick. Other classless moves inlcluded the fake punt when up by 26 and calling two timeouts in the red zone trying to score when up by 40. Oh and the end of the game gretting and congratulations was complete class-less.
Utah won, but they sacrificed a good name for it. Whit can pretend to be sorry but he is now the bottom of the league among coaches. The repercussion of this game in his profession will last a long time. He really continues to take the program down.
Utah won, but they sacrificed a good name for it. Whit can pretend to be sorry but he is now the bottom of the league among coaches. The repercussion of this game in his profession will last a long time. He really continues to take the program down.
this is funny | 8:30 a.m. Nov. 12, 2007
To Classless, you have appropriately named yourself. Remember who Kwhit played for in college and you will know why he ran the score up against a hapless opponent. That’s what he leaned from Edwards.
What a bunch of babies! | 8:33 a.m. Nov. 12, 2007
Dear posters,
Quit your crying. When Urban was here, he would always pound the other team by at least 40, yet no one complained then. And stuff like this goes on in the East all the time! I have never heard such a bunch of babies in my life! Dnews should have a special baby board so you can all go to it and whine your heads off together!
Quit your crying. When Urban was here, he would always pound the other team by at least 40, yet no one complained then. And stuff like this goes on in the East all the time! I have never heard such a bunch of babies in my life! Dnews should have a special baby board so you can all go to it and whine your heads off together!
DH | 8:35 a.m. Nov. 12, 2007
How is guaranteeing a victory bad? A spit in the face? Athlete's look for anything they can to motivate them, to make them angry enough to fight hard. But for a coach or player to guarantee a victory is no big deal and does not justify childish behavior by the opposing coach.
Bob | 8:35 a.m. Nov. 12, 2007
So I guess that the game after Being up 40 points should be only a defensive game from that point so send the offense home !
There have been many teams up by allot of points only to have the other team come back and win!
No finger gestures in any game is sportsman like!
Just a bunch of winers!
Wake up don't be so narrow minded!
There have been many teams up by allot of points only to have the other team come back and win!
No finger gestures in any game is sportsman like!
Just a bunch of winers!
Wake up don't be so narrow minded!
Ute fan in England | 8:38 a.m. Nov. 12, 2007
If Glenn is going to insult Kyle and the Utes, he should put his finger away and take what’s coming to him. If you were playing a football video game and your friend “guaranteed” a victory, you’d bet you’d run up the score on him, and that’s exactly what happened here. Kyle shouldn’t have to apologize.
Idaho observer | 8:39 a.m. Nov. 12, 2007
It is hard for me to understand how a foolish remark of promising a win could be so offensive to a team and fans, and yet try to justify a classless act of the onside kick in the same category. My observation is that both the Utah team, the fans and the coaches have little class to let such a remark get under their skin and then pound it in their face the way they did.
Good luck on the rest of your season Utah because you may need it. Maybe New Mexico will pound it down you like you did to Wyoming. We can all hope.
Good luck on the rest of your season Utah because you may need it. Maybe New Mexico will pound it down you like you did to Wyoming. We can all hope.
What a display! | 8:39 a.m. Nov. 12, 2007
Utes always run on emotion. But this is insane. An opposing coach coming off a loss where the other team came from way behind on them, then guarantees to his student body that they are going to get a win, and the Utes flip out. Typical! Always want respect, and this is how you think you get it.
Trick plays, fake punts, onside kicks. Apparently Wyoming was a big enough threat to pull out all of this stuff. But I guess when U lose to Wyoming in the previous year, it kinda stings. Guarantee no matter how much U complain, U won't get that one back. U like that Ute fans? Your coach has been saving up all year for the wrong team. Unless U really think Wyoming is the team to beat.
Trick plays, fake punts, onside kicks. Apparently Wyoming was a big enough threat to pull out all of this stuff. But I guess when U lose to Wyoming in the previous year, it kinda stings. Guarantee no matter how much U complain, U won't get that one back. U like that Ute fans? Your coach has been saving up all year for the wrong team. Unless U really think Wyoming is the team to beat.
nottyou | 8:41 a.m. Nov. 12, 2007
Kyle, When coaches make guarantees, sometimes they pay...nicely executed onside kick! Keep up the grooming for being an assistant coach someday at BYU. You are a trader at heart, but we'll take you back.
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