Losing coach Kyle Whittingham to Michigan was chaotic enough for Utah. Losing Devon Dampier on top of that would have been a disaster. Morgan Scalley knew that from day one.

Scalley had just 14 days between being named head coach and Whittingham officially departing for Ann Arbor. He hadn't wasted any time. He recalled how he had driven straight to Dampier's apartment to make his case in person.

"Just going to Devon and really going over to his apartment, saying, 'Dude, this sucks for you'," Scalley told reporter Pete Nakos. "You have your coordinator leave, head coach leave, and no one really is saying sorry, but here I am. I'm sorry you're going through this. I'm sorry you're having to deal with uncertainty."

Dampier had every reason to walk. His offensive coordinator Jason Beck had followed Whittingham to Michigan. Other programs were circling. But Scalley's pitch was personal, not just professional.

"I just tried to do everything I could in my power to help him understand my belief in him," Scalley said. And his sincerity worked.

Dampier stayed, and Utah kept its most important offensive piece heading into 2026. Last season, Dampier put up over 3,300 total yards and 34 touchdowns with just five interceptions.

Moreover, Scalley had a personal connection to Dampier's arrival at Utah.

When Whittingham was looking for a new offensive coordinator after 2024, Scalley had recommended Jason Beck specifically because his offense was so hard to defend. He had also suggested bringing Dampier along.

That pitch came full circle. Now Scalley is the one building around the quarterback he helped recruit to the program.

Why Utah Could Be a Serious Big 12 Threat With Dampier Back

Dampier's return alone makes Utah a preseason top-25 team. But Scalley has been building around him all offseason, fine-tuning the offensive and defensive lines.

Running back Wayshawn Parker is back after rushing for 981 yards last season. The Dampier and Parker combination should be one of the more explosive backfield duos in the Big 12.

Scalley has also addressed the receiver room, adding Utah State's Braden Pegan, who caught 60 passes for 926 yards last season.

"I honestly am so excited about this wide receiving group," Scalley told Nakos. "Pegan is just so explosive. You watch him, and you're like, 'Man, he doesn't look that fast.' And then you look at his Catapult numbers, and the guy just flat-out outruns everybody."

Utah went 11-2 last season, and Scalley has the pieces in place to make them go even further.

Do you think Utah can make a run at the Big 12 title in 2026 with Devon Dampier? Let us know in the comments.

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Written by

Farheen Fathima

Edited by

Arundhoti Palit