Morgan Scalley Explained

Morgan Scalley
Current Title:Defensive coordinator, safeties coach
Current Team:Utah
Current Conference:Big 12
Birth Date:8 October 1979
Birth Place:Salt Lake City, Utah, U.S.
Player Years1:2001–2004
Player Team1:Utah
Player Positions:Defensive back
Coach Years1:2007
Coach Team1:Utah (GA)
Coach Years2:2008
Coach Team2:Utah (S)
Coach Years3:2009–2014
Coach Team3:Utah (S/RC)
Coach Years4:2015
Coach Team4:Utah (ST/S/RC)
Coach Years5:2016–present
Coach Team5:Utah (DC/S)
Admin Years1:2006
Admin Team1:Utah (admin asst.)
Awards:
  • Second-team All-American (2004)
  • MWC Co-Defensive Player of the Year (2004)
  • First-team All–MWC (2004)
  • Second-team All–MWC (2003)

Morgan Scalley (born October 8, 1979) is an American college football coach. He is the defensive coordinator and safeties coach at the University of Utah, positions he has held since 2016. He played high school football at Highland High School in Salt Lake City and college football at Utah as a defensive back.

Playing career

Scalley was a defensive back at Utah from 2001 to 2004. During his career at Utah, he was named an All-American, Mountain West co-defensive player of the year, a unanimous first-team all-conference safety, as well as a second-team All-Mountain West Conference in 2003 and a 2× Academic All-American.[1] [2] Scalley was presented with the inaugural Pat Tillman award during the 2005 East-West Shrine Game.

Coaching career

Utah

Scalley began working at Utah in 2006 as an administrative assistant before being named a graduate assistant in 2007. He was promoted to safeties coach in 2008, also assisting with special teams.[3] He added the title of recruiting coordinator in 2009, and also added special teams duties in 2015.[4]

Scalley was promoted to defensive coordinator in 2016 following the retirement of John Pease.[5]

As the lead strategist of one of the nation's top defenses, Scalley was named a Broyles Award finalist in 2019, an award given to the top assistant coach in college football.[6]

On July 1, 2024, Scalley was announced as the Utes' head-coach-in-waiting.[7] He previously held that designation until it was rescinded in 2020 following an investigation into his alleged use of improper racial stereotypes.

Suspension

Scalley admitted in June 2020 that he used a racial slur in a text to a recruit in 2013 and was promptly suspended by the university.[8] An investigation revealed that there were also two additional incidents where Scalley was accused of using racial stereotypes.[9] He was reinstated to his position as defensive coordinator after an external review by the university, but was reported to have taken a significant pay cut and the offer from the university to be its head-coach-in-waiting rescinded among other penalties.[10]

Personal life

Scalley is a member of Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, and served on a mission to Munich, Germany before playing at Utah.[11] He and his wife Liz have three children: Madeline, Emma, and Andrew.

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Smith, Scalley, Meyer Named Best in MWC . University of Utah Athletics . September 27, 2020.
  2. Web site: 2003 All-MWC Football Team Announced . University of Wyoming Athletics . September 27, 2020.
  3. Web site: Morgan Scalley To Coach Ute Safeties . University of Utah Athletics . September 27, 2020.
  4. Web site: Utah Football Fills Coaching Vacancies . University of Utah Athletics . September 27, 2020.
  5. Web site: Pease retires, Utah names Scalley defensive coordinator . Sports Illustrated . September 27, 2020.
  6. Web site: Utah's Morgan Scalley is a finalist, but not the winner of the Broyles Award . Deseret News . September 27, 2020.
  7. Web site: 2024-07-01 . Mark Harlan Announces Future Succession Plan for Utah Football Leadership . 2024-07-02 . University of Utah Athletics . en.
  8. Web site: Utah DC Morgan Scalley suspended indefinitely for use of racial slur in 2013 text message . USA Today . September 27, 2020.
  9. Web site: What were the details of the Morgan Scalley investigation? . Sports Illustrated . September 27, 2020.
  10. Web site: Utah DC Morgan Scalley retains job, but takes pay cut, after review of racial slur . ESPN . September 27, 2020.
  11. Web site: Utah DC Morgan Scalley's Childhood Friends Offer Thoughts On His Character . KSL Sports . September 27, 2020.