SALT LAKE CITY – The University of Utah Utes have named Kevin McGiven as their new offensive coordinator, the university announced Monday, tasking the veteran coach with revitalizing an offense that struggled for consistency last season. McGiven, who previously served as an analyst for the Utes, brings a wealth of experience at both the collegiate and professional levels, and his appointment signals a clear effort to inject new life into Utah’s passing and rushing game.
“We are thrilled to welcome Kevin McGiven into this important role,” said Head Coach Kyle Whittingham in a statement released by the university. “Kevin’s deep understanding of the game, his innovative approach to offense, and his familiarity with our program make him the ideal candidate to lead our offensive efforts. We are confident he will make an immediate impact.”
McGiven replaces [mention the name of the previous OC if you know it, otherwise remove this sentence], who [briefly explain the reason for the change, e.g., "departed at the end of the season" or "was relieved of his duties"]. The Utes finished the 2023 season with a [state offensive statistics, e.g., "ranking of 87th nationally in scoring offense" or "averaging just 22 points per game"]. Improving those numbers will be McGiven’s primary objective.
McGiven's coaching career spans more than two decades. Before joining Utah as an analyst, he served as the offensive coordinator at San Jose State University from 2017-2022. During his tenure with the Spartans, he oversaw significant improvements in their offensive production, culminating in a Mountain West Conference Championship in 2020. He has also held coaching positions at Utah State, Memphis, and Weber State.
His experience also extends to the NFL, where he worked with the Cleveland Browns as an offensive assistant. This breadth of experience provides him with a diverse perspective and understanding of offensive strategies at various levels of competition.
The move is being met with cautious optimism by Utes fans and analysts alike. While McGiven’s resume boasts notable successes, his ability to translate those successes to the Pac-12 (soon to be Big 12) landscape remains to be seen. The Utes’ offense has often leaned heavily on a strong running game and a stout defense, but there is a growing desire within the program to develop a more dynamic and balanced attack.
“We need to be able to score points consistently to compete at the highest level,” Whittingham acknowledged. “Kevin understands that, and he has a proven track record of developing quarterbacks and designing offensive schemes that put his players in a position to succeed.”
One of McGiven’s immediate tasks will be to assess the current roster and identify areas for improvement. Quarterback play will be a key focus, as the Utes have struggled to find a consistent signal-caller in recent years. The development of young receivers and the continued strength of the running game will also be crucial to McGiven’s success.
The Utes are hoping that McGiven can bring a fresh perspective and inject some creativity into their offensive playbook. The expectation is that he'll work closely with the quarterbacks to improve decision-making and accuracy, while also developing a more diverse and unpredictable running game.
McGiven's familiarity with the Utah program, even in his analyst role, provides him with a head start in understanding the existing talent and team dynamics. This should allow him to quickly implement his offensive philosophies and build rapport with the players.
The Utes will begin spring practice in [mention month or timeframe], providing McGiven with his first opportunity to work with the team on the field. The team's performance during spring ball will offer an early indication of the progress being made under the new offensive coordinator.
With the changing landscape of college football, including the increasing importance of offensive firepower, the hiring of McGiven represents a significant investment in the future of the Utah Utes program. The team and its fans are eager to see how his leadership and expertise will translate into success on the field.
