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The University of Utah Athletics
Morgan Scalley Makes Gift to Utah Football Program
3/12/2026 10:00 AM | Football
Utes head coach to gift $2 million back to Utah football
SALT LAKE CITY — Utah football head coach Morgan Scalley has pledged a gift of $2 million to the Utah football program, Utah director of athletics Mark Harlan announced Thursday.
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"The University of Utah and particularly Utah Athletics have been an extremely important and influential part of my life for as long as I can remember," Scalley said. "My love for this place includes a vision of where we can go and what we can achieve, and it will require an increased effort from everyone who shares in that vision. Liz and I simply wanted to do something for this amazing place that shows our faith in and commitment to the future of this incredible University, and how excited we are for what's to come."
Scalley is entering his first season as head coach after 18 seasons as an assistant on Utah's football staff, including the last 10 years as defensive coordinator. He will make his regular season debut leading the Utes on Thursday, Sept. 3 vs. Idaho, following a 44-22 victory over Nebraska in the 2025 Las Vegas Bowl, his first game leading the program.
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"This extraordinary commitment by Morgan and Liz Scalley speaks to everything that makes them special and demonstrates their absolute love for the University of Utah," said Harlan. "Coach Scalley's vision for the future of the Utah Football program is not just a dream, but something that he actively works to bring to reality every day. On behalf of the University and Utah Athletics, I want to express my gratitude for the generosity and commitment of Morgan and his family."
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Scalley also coached safeties since he joined the staff in 2008. He previously served as Utah's recruiting coordinator from 2009-15 and special teams' coordinator in 2015. The former Utah All-America safety began his coaching career as an administrative assistant with the Utes in 2006, and moved into a graduate assistant role in 2007.
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Scalley, who owns a reputation as one of the brightest defensive minds in the business, was a finalist for the Broyles Award in 2019 when the Utes ranked second in the FBS in total defense. He has instilled the culture and identity of the Utah Defense known as RSNB – standing for Relentless, Smart, Nasty, Ballhawks.
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Scalley's 2025 defense ranked No. 5 in the FBS in passing efficiency defense, 15th in interceptions (14) and 16th in scoring defense, allowing just 18.7 points per game. Utah's defense scored three touchdowns in 2025, ranking 10th.
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A native of Salt Lake City and graduate of Highland High School, Scalley capped his illustrious playing career at Utah in 2004, helping to lead the Utes to an undefeated season, a Fiesta Bowl win over Pittsburgh and a No. 4 national ranking in which Utah became the first non-BCS team play in a BCS bowl game. He was a two-time Academic All-American (2003-04) and 2004 Mountain West Scholar-Athlete of the Year.
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Follow the Utes on social media through Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok along with visiting www.UtahUtes.com. Download the Utah 360 app here.  Â
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"The University of Utah and particularly Utah Athletics have been an extremely important and influential part of my life for as long as I can remember," Scalley said. "My love for this place includes a vision of where we can go and what we can achieve, and it will require an increased effort from everyone who shares in that vision. Liz and I simply wanted to do something for this amazing place that shows our faith in and commitment to the future of this incredible University, and how excited we are for what's to come."
Scalley is entering his first season as head coach after 18 seasons as an assistant on Utah's football staff, including the last 10 years as defensive coordinator. He will make his regular season debut leading the Utes on Thursday, Sept. 3 vs. Idaho, following a 44-22 victory over Nebraska in the 2025 Las Vegas Bowl, his first game leading the program.
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"This extraordinary commitment by Morgan and Liz Scalley speaks to everything that makes them special and demonstrates their absolute love for the University of Utah," said Harlan. "Coach Scalley's vision for the future of the Utah Football program is not just a dream, but something that he actively works to bring to reality every day. On behalf of the University and Utah Athletics, I want to express my gratitude for the generosity and commitment of Morgan and his family."
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Scalley also coached safeties since he joined the staff in 2008. He previously served as Utah's recruiting coordinator from 2009-15 and special teams' coordinator in 2015. The former Utah All-America safety began his coaching career as an administrative assistant with the Utes in 2006, and moved into a graduate assistant role in 2007.
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Scalley, who owns a reputation as one of the brightest defensive minds in the business, was a finalist for the Broyles Award in 2019 when the Utes ranked second in the FBS in total defense. He has instilled the culture and identity of the Utah Defense known as RSNB – standing for Relentless, Smart, Nasty, Ballhawks.
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Scalley's 2025 defense ranked No. 5 in the FBS in passing efficiency defense, 15th in interceptions (14) and 16th in scoring defense, allowing just 18.7 points per game. Utah's defense scored three touchdowns in 2025, ranking 10th.
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A native of Salt Lake City and graduate of Highland High School, Scalley capped his illustrious playing career at Utah in 2004, helping to lead the Utes to an undefeated season, a Fiesta Bowl win over Pittsburgh and a No. 4 national ranking in which Utah became the first non-BCS team play in a BCS bowl game. He was a two-time Academic All-American (2003-04) and 2004 Mountain West Scholar-Athlete of the Year.
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FOLLOW THE UTES
Follow the Utes on social media through Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok along with visiting www.UtahUtes.com. Download the Utah 360 app here.  Â
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