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Mike Bajakian Named Interim Offensive Coordinator for Utah Football
10/21/2024 10:54 AM | Football
SALT LAKE CITY – University of Utah Football head coach Kyle Whittingham has announced the promotion of Mike Bajakian to Interim Offensive Coordinator today with Bajakian also serving as quarterbacks coach and the primary play-caller.
Bajakian, who has served as Utah's senior offensive analyst and quarterbacks coach through the first seven games, came to Utah after holding the title of offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Northwestern from 2019-23.
He was a part of two bowl wins during his time at Northwestern (2023 Las Vegas Bowl, 2021 Citrus Bowl) with Bajakian guiding Northwestern's quarterback to earn MVP of the bowl game in 2021.
Prior to his time with the Wildcats, he spent a season in the same position at Boston College, leading the Eagles to the top rushing attack in the ACC with the rushing offense also ranking No. 3 in Power Football in 2019.
He also spent four seasons as the quarterbacks coach for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, coaching Jameis Winston in his first two seasons. In his debut season, Tampa Bay's offense had a top-five finish in the NFL and the most yards in team history with Winston setting team rookie records for passing yards, passing touchdowns, pass completions and passer rating.
In his second season with the Buccaneers, he saw Winston set single-season franchise records for passing yards and touchdowns, becoming the youngest player to throw for 50 touchdowns in NFL hi9story. Also in 2017, he coached Winston to career bests in completion percentage, yards per attempt and passer rating.
During the 2018 season, Bajakian was on staff to see Tampa Bay lead the NFL with 320.3 passing yards per game with the team wrapping up the season ranked No. 3 in total offense.
He joined the Buccaneers from the University of Tennessee, where he served as the team's offensive coordinator. He was a part of the coaching staff that helped the Vols to their first bowl game appearance since 2010 and their first bowl victory since 2007, winning the 2015 Taxslayer Bowl.
His other coaching stops include the University of Cincinnati (2010-12, Offensive Coordinator/QBs), Central Michigan (2007-09, Offensive Coordinator/QBs) and the Chicago Bears (2004-06, Offensive Quality Control).
A native of River Vale, New Jersey, Bajakian was an All-New England Small College Athletic Conference and All-ECAC quarterback at Williams College.
COACHING CAREER
1996-97: Delbarton School, Quarterbacks & Passing Game Coordinator
1998-99: Rutgers, Graduate Assistant, Defensive Backs
2000: Sacred Heart, Quarterbacks
2000-01: Michigan, Graduate Assistant, Quarterbacks
2002-03: Central Michigan, Quarterbacks
2004-06: Chicago Bears, Offensive Quality Control, Wide Receivers
2007-09: Central Michigan, Offensive Coordinator & Quarterbacks Coach
2010-12: Cincinnati, Offensive Coordinator & Quarterbacks Coach
2013-14: Tennessee, Offensive Coordinator & Quarterbacks Coach
2015-18: Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Quarterbacks Coach
2019: Boston College, Offensive Coordinator & Quarterbacks Coach
2020-23: Northwestern University, Offensive Coordinator & Quarterbacks Coach
2024-Present: Utah
Bajakian, who has served as Utah's senior offensive analyst and quarterbacks coach through the first seven games, came to Utah after holding the title of offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Northwestern from 2019-23.
He was a part of two bowl wins during his time at Northwestern (2023 Las Vegas Bowl, 2021 Citrus Bowl) with Bajakian guiding Northwestern's quarterback to earn MVP of the bowl game in 2021.
Prior to his time with the Wildcats, he spent a season in the same position at Boston College, leading the Eagles to the top rushing attack in the ACC with the rushing offense also ranking No. 3 in Power Football in 2019.
He also spent four seasons as the quarterbacks coach for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, coaching Jameis Winston in his first two seasons. In his debut season, Tampa Bay's offense had a top-five finish in the NFL and the most yards in team history with Winston setting team rookie records for passing yards, passing touchdowns, pass completions and passer rating.
In his second season with the Buccaneers, he saw Winston set single-season franchise records for passing yards and touchdowns, becoming the youngest player to throw for 50 touchdowns in NFL hi9story. Also in 2017, he coached Winston to career bests in completion percentage, yards per attempt and passer rating.
During the 2018 season, Bajakian was on staff to see Tampa Bay lead the NFL with 320.3 passing yards per game with the team wrapping up the season ranked No. 3 in total offense.
He joined the Buccaneers from the University of Tennessee, where he served as the team's offensive coordinator. He was a part of the coaching staff that helped the Vols to their first bowl game appearance since 2010 and their first bowl victory since 2007, winning the 2015 Taxslayer Bowl.
His other coaching stops include the University of Cincinnati (2010-12, Offensive Coordinator/QBs), Central Michigan (2007-09, Offensive Coordinator/QBs) and the Chicago Bears (2004-06, Offensive Quality Control).
A native of River Vale, New Jersey, Bajakian was an All-New England Small College Athletic Conference and All-ECAC quarterback at Williams College.
COACHING CAREER
1996-97: Delbarton School, Quarterbacks & Passing Game Coordinator
1998-99: Rutgers, Graduate Assistant, Defensive Backs
2000: Sacred Heart, Quarterbacks
2000-01: Michigan, Graduate Assistant, Quarterbacks
2002-03: Central Michigan, Quarterbacks
2004-06: Chicago Bears, Offensive Quality Control, Wide Receivers
2007-09: Central Michigan, Offensive Coordinator & Quarterbacks Coach
2010-12: Cincinnati, Offensive Coordinator & Quarterbacks Coach
2013-14: Tennessee, Offensive Coordinator & Quarterbacks Coach
2015-18: Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Quarterbacks Coach
2019: Boston College, Offensive Coordinator & Quarterbacks Coach
2020-23: Northwestern University, Offensive Coordinator & Quarterbacks Coach
2024-Present: Utah
Utah: 42, Arizona State: 10 | POST GAME PRESS CONFERENCE
Sunday, October 12
Crimson Corner with Bill Riley - Nate Orchard
Wednesday, October 08
Head Coach Kyle Whittingham weekly press conference - 10.6.25
Monday, October 06
Crimson Corner with Bill Riley - Eric Weddle
Wednesday, October 01