​It’s time to talk football. Big 12 media days have begun, signaling the unofficial kickoff to college football season. New Utah head coach Morgan Scalley will be on hand for his first appearance at the annual gathering, joined by quarterback Devon Dampier, running back Wayshawn Parker, linebacker Johnathan Hall, and defensive end Lance Holtzclaw. Last year’s Big 12 media day for Utah centered on former coach Kyle Whittingham and his decision to return for his 21st season. This year, the spotlight will be on Scalley, who took over the program last December after Whittingham “stepped down” and later accepted the Michigan job when it opened.
Scalley has already coached Utah to a bowl victory, guiding the Utes to a 44-22 win over Nebraska in the Las Vegas Bowl, and he has conducted an introductory press conference and overseen spring practices. Now, Wednesday offers a national television audience the chance to hear him lay out his vision for the program. Media outlets from across the country will gather at The Star, the Dallas Cowboys’ practice facility and headquarters in Frisco, Texas, where Scalley will be in the spotlight on TV, radio, and social media for the day and beyond.
He will take the main podium at The Star at noon local time for a 15-minute press conference that will be streamed on the Big 12’s YouTube page and broadcast on ESPNU. He’ll also participate in a separate ESPNU interview before meeting with the media again at 2 p.m. MDT. Expect Scalley to emphasize the team’s RSNB approach—relentless, smart, nasty, ballhawks—and to lay out his long-term plan for Utah’s program and the new offense led by coordinator Kevin McGiven. Naturally, questions will arise about filling Whittingham’s shoes and managing the transition that occurred.
Even though the Big 12 no longer releases a preseason poll, Phil Steele’s annual preseason magazine projects Utah at No. 3 in the 16-team conference, while Athlon Sports has the Utes at No. 4. Vegas odds align with those projections, typically placing Utah among the top three contenders to win the conference, trailing Texas Tech and BYU.
Utah features proven players at several pivotal positions, including Dampier at quarterback, backup quarterback Byrd Ficklin, Parker at running back, Hall at linebacker, and safety Jackson Bennee. However, the Utes will roll out new starters on both the offensive and defensive lines. While Scalley will be a central figure on Wednesday, two other storylines deserve attention. First, last year’s media days brought focus to Utah’s offensive line for reasons beyond performance—the arrival of offensive tackle Spencer Fano sparked substantial discussion about the unit’s potential. That line proved to be a major talking point, and it’s a storyline worth watching again as the season approaches. Second, the overall transition under Scalley, including how the program adapts to new leadership while maintaining the standards and culture Utah is known for, will be under the microscope throughout the day.
As the day unfolds, there will be plenty more to watch as Utah navigates life with Scalley at the helm, balancing expectations, developing a cohesive identity, and building on the momentum of recent seasons. The landscape of the conference remains fluid, and Utah’s path will depend on how well Scalley translates his vision into results on the field and how the roster adapts to the new coaching staff and system.