top of page
Search

Kyle Whittingham & Leadership

David Frandsen


Kyle Whittingham stands as one of the most respected and longest tenured figures in college football, known not only for his hard-nosed tough football teams, but also for his distinctive approach to leadership.  Now in his twentieth season as the head coach of the University of Utah’s football team, Whittingham has cultivated a legacy marked by consistency, focus on development, creating a family culture, toughness, “next man up” mentality and a player led environment.  His leadership philosophies are integral to his success and offer valuable insights into what it means to lead effectively.


Consistency

Consistency in leadership is a primary aspect of Whittingham’s philosophy.  He keeps a steady and unwavering approach, which provides stability and predictability for his players.  Coach Whitt’s consistency is shown in his obsessive personal workout habits.  He is known as a gym rat that keeps himself in excellent physical condition.  “It’s kind of a sickness now. I’ve been doing it for a while,” Whittingham said.  It began July 1, 2008, he decided to start working out every day, excluding Sundays.


Kyle’s consistency has been referenced by other coaches.  Houston coach Willie Fritz said, “He’s done an unbelievable job with his consistency...it seems to be that (his teams) kind of have taken on his personality a little bit”.  Baylor coach Dave Aranda has said, “Tough, reliable, consistent”.  When you think of their system and their play, it is an illustration of that.


Focus on Development

Whittingham and his staff have made a habit of getting the most out of their players.  The Utes have continually taken two and three-star recruits and turned them into high-level college contributors.  Utah often tells players that when they get to Utah, they will be revaluated regardless of the position they played in high school.

 

This focus on development includes not only athletic skills but also personal and professional growth. Whittingham’s investment in his players’ future success is a testament to his comprehensive approach to leadership.

 

Speaking of their recruiting and development Kyle said, "With our philosophy, we try to recruit the raw material – athleticism and speed are the priority," he said. "Ideally, you want big-framed guys that can run and are athletic. That's the starting point. I think our assistant coaches have done a very good job of finding those types of players”.


He goes on to say, "And from there, you recruit, develop and manage.  You recruit the raw material.  You get them in your program and then you develop them.  And then, of course, you have to manage your talent.  You have to make sure they're going to class and doing all the things they must do.  That's really our equation for success."


Creating a Family Culture

 “Family on three” is a rally cry even the fan base has heard a million times. Utah has built a culture around family and competition.  A family culture that is so strong that it is often recognized and cited by players being recruited by the University as what stands out most about the program.  The brotherhood at Utah is one that welcomes you from the moment you step onto campus and will remain with you for the rest of your life.


This culture starts at the top with Kyle. He leads by example and sets the tone for the entire program.  He shoulders the responsibility to help shape and mold these young men for the rest of their lives, and it's why this culture is so important.  In reference to his team’s culture Kyle noted that, "It speaks to the players in the program accepting and welcoming the new guys, and the new guys becoming us, not us becoming them. If you have everyone pulling in the same direction, focused on being a great teammate, coaches that are unselfish and without an agenda, that's what we're looking for here."


Establishing a culture does not happen overnight either. It must be cultivated over time, through experiences of success and failure, on and off the field in order for it to become what is has at Utah.  Former Ute and current Jacksonville Jaguar Devin Lloyd said that "This team has great camaraderie, it's a brotherhood, we all push each other to be better, like entire position groups pushing other position groups to get better. It's not as much just individuals doing that, but entire groups are pushing each other, and it's raised the bar."


Recent Stanford transfer safety Alaka’I Gilman said, “I mean it starts from top down.  Coach Whitt does a good job of setting the culture.  Coming in as a new guy three weeks ago, whatever it was, you can obviously tell when you walk in the building like, hey, this is the standard.  You are either with us or you’re against us”.

 

Toughness

At the top of every television broadcaster bullet points when talking about the University of Utah is “toughness”.  College football insider Bruce Feldman with The Athletic said about Whittingham’s teams, “They’re going to out-tough basically every team they play against”.


Toughness extends beyond mere physical endurance—it encompasses resilience, mental fortitude, and emotional intelligence.  Our workplaces are full of obstacles, deadlines, setbacks and having toughness allows employees to tackle these challenges head on.  Without toughness people can be overwhelmed by stress or adversity.  Just like Kyle, when leaders model toughness to their employees will inspire similar qualities in their team.


Former UCLA coach Chip Kelly said, “His teams are a reflection of him - tough, hard-nosed, disciplined.  He’s so consistent, and there’s a Utah Way of doing things.”  Speaking of toughness Whittingham said, “I mean it’s a cumulative effect and everybody is on board and bought into the fact that that’s what we want to be as the mentally and physically toughest team in the country. That’s our goal now, whether we attain it or not, but that’s what we’re striving for.”


Interestingly, toughness also contributes to personal well-being. Resilient individuals often exhibit better stress management skills and a more positive outlook. They are adept at balancing work demands with personal life, which fosters overall well-being. This balance not only enhances job satisfaction but also reduces burnout, making toughness a key factor in maintaining long-term career health.


 “Next Man Up” Mentality

Part of the ethos that Wittingham instills in his players is “next man up.”  The "next man up" mentality stems from the idea that every member of a team must be prepared to take on additional responsibilities when circumstances demand. This mindset fosters a culture of flexibility and support, where everyone understands that their role is crucial, and they are ready to step in to fill gaps or assume new tasks as needed.


In sports, this mentality is often visible when a player is injured or unavailable. Teams rely on their bench strength, trusting that substitutes will perform at a high level and maintain the team's competitive edge. Similarly, in business settings, this concept applies when team members leave unexpectedly, take on new roles, or when new projects arise that require immediate attention.


The "next man up" mentality is more than just a reactive strategy; it is a proactive approach that strengthens teams and enhances their ability to navigate change and uncertainty. By fostering a culture of preparedness, flexibility, and mutual support, teams can achieve greater success and maintain high performance, even in the face of challenges.


Player Led

One of the primary reasons player-led teams excel is because they foster a sense of empowerment and ownership among members.  Whittingham understands when players take the reins, they are not merely executing a strategy dictated by an external authority; they are deeply invested in the outcomes.  This intrinsic motivation leads to higher levels of commitment and effort, as team members feel directly responsible for their collective success.


By empowering individuals, fostering trust, enhancing adaptability, and setting high standards through example, player-led teams often achieve remarkable success.  They remind us that the best leaders are not always those who sit at the top but those who inspire and guide from within.


Former Ute and current Philadelphia Eagle Britain Covey noted just how important player leadership is for a team competing at a prominent level. “The best teams are player-led,” he said. “When you can get your leaders back, and there’s a group of leaders on the team, I think that makes for a very good atmosphere and culture.”


That means the product of the family and competitive cultures is the leadership that appears. This, in turn, feeds back into the positive culture that recruits often find most attractive about Utah, as well as what new players appreciate most about it when they initially join the program.


Being a player led team has propelled Utah to higher levels of success, and as Utah's profile has risen, so too has their ability to bring in more highly touted prospects that are willing to buy into the culture. It extends beyond the football field and into things like academics, strength and conditioning, nutrition, and personal accountability in all other areas of life.


Conclusion

Kyle Whittingham’s leadership philosophies offer a comprehensive blueprint for success in college football and in the workplace. His emphasis on consistency, focus on development, creating a family culture, toughness, “next man up” mentality and a player led environment creates a powerful framework for leading a successful and cohesive team.  As Coach Whittingham continues to make his mark in college football, these leadership principles serve as a valuable guide for aspiring leaders and coaches.


What stands out about Kyle Whittingham’s story is not just his on the field success but his character.  He’s known for his integrity, humility, and dedication to his players and coaching staff. He builds strong relationships with his athletes, mentoring them both on and off the field.  Whittingham’s journey is a powerful reminder that with hard work, resilience, and a steadfast commitment to one’s values, it’s possible to overcome challenges and achieve greatness.  His success has inspired many, showing that true success comes from dedication to one’s craft and the ability to lead with heart.


@UtahFBFans, @UtahCoachWhitt, @NationUte, @UteCommits, @Utah_Football,


14 views0 comments

Bình luận


bottom of page