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The University of Utah Athletics
McBride Makes Staff Changes
12/8/2000 12:00 AM | Football
Dec. 8, 2000
SALT LAKE CITY -
University of Utah head football coach Ron McBride announced three staff changes today. Linebackers coach Fred Whittingham was relieved of his duties, while offensive coordinator Tommy Lee and running backs/special teams coach Sean McNabb tendered their resignations. McNabb will remain on the staff until June 30 in an administrative capacity.
Whittingham has coached at Utah for six years, a stint interrupted from 1995-97 when he coached in the National Football League. He was Utah's defensive coordinator from 1992-94 and its linebackers coach from 1998-00. He rejoined the U. staff in 1998 as a volunteer coach and returned to full-time status in 1999.
Lee has been Utah's offensive coordinator since 1998. He coached the quarterbacks from 1995-97 and retained that responsibility in his move to offensive coordinator three years ago.
McNabb resigned after a 24-year tenure that was the longest of the current coaching staff. He worked under four head coaches during that time, overseeing the special teams since his hiring back in 1977. He also coached the running backs (1977-84 and 1992-00) and tight ends (1985-91).
"After evaluating our season, I determined I needed to make some changes," said Ute Head Coach Ron McBride. "These were very difficult decisions to make, but as the person in charge of this program, they were things I felt I had to do.
"Fred and I had a personality conflict that could not be resolved. I felt it was in the best interests of our program to let Fred go. Tommy is a great friend and employee, but our offense was struggling and it didn't appear that we were moving forward. My relationship with Sean goes back 30 years. He's been extremely loyal to me and the University of Utah. Sean felt like it was time he moved on and I've accepted his resignation," McBride continued.
The search for replacement coaches will begin immediately. "I have some people in mind who will make our program better," said McBride. "I hope to have my staff in place by the first of the year."
Utah struggled to a 4-7 record in 2000 after being picked to win the Mountain West Conference championship in the preseason by both the coaches and the media. It was McBride's first losing season since he took the reins of a struggling program back in 1990. That team also finished 4-7.
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