The Arizona State Sun Devils are still without their next head coach and just about every available name in the country has been rumored at this point. While the fan base anxiously and eagerly awaits the decision of Lisa Love and the Athletic Department, there seems to be a name that has begun to stand out recently: Kyle Whittingham.
Whittingham, 52, is the current head coach of the Utah Utes. He has a 65-25 record in seven seasons at Utah, including an undefeated season and Sugar Bowl victory in 2009. Whittingham has just two years remaining on his contract, and according to this report, he may view Tempe as the perfect spot:
Sources close to Utah's head coach and the ASU football program have indicated there is mutual interest, with one source saying Whittingham's "ideal job" would either be coaching Arizona State or a California school. FOXSportsArizona.com was unable to learn whether athletic director Lisa Love has contacted Whittingham or his agent, Bruce Tollner, so ASU's level of interest is difficult to gauge. Tollner did not return messages left for him.
Of course these may be the sources who indicated Kevin Sumlin would be the next head coach of ASU football or that June Jones was a done deal, but the news does bring some curiosity into the mix. Whittingham is generally liked by the Utah alumni and boosters and it is unlikely the school would let him leave without putting up a fight. And if negotiations were to turn ugly, it would be just a few short months before the Sun Devils and Utes were set to square off in Pac-12 play.
Kyle Whittingham is definitely a name to keep an eye on in the coming weeks. ASU is more than ready to make a hire and he appears to have all of the credentials Lisa Love was looking for. It's anyones guess who is currently the leading candidate, but you have to expect Whittingham's name to be near the top of the list.
For more on the Devils, head on over to House Of Sparky.