Amidst an offseason of speculation, one key aspect of Utah football’s future has been put to rest as Kyle Whittingham announced the hiring of Jason Beck as the new offensive coordinator going into next year.
Beck spent this past season as the offensive coordinator at New Mexico and was a key factor in why the Lobo offense was so successful this year, specifically on the ground. At 253.6 rushing yards per game, New Mexico ranked 4th in the entire country in that category while finishing first in the nation at 6.67 yards per carry as a team.
This past season, the Lobo offense was led by quarterback Devon Dampier, who rushed for 1,166 yards and 19 touchdowns, while running back Eli Sanders was close behind, rushing for 1,063 yards and 9 touchdowns. Coach Beck displayed his ability to utilize both players skill sets in his offense, which is a very positive sign for a Utah team with a surplus of talented players.
Beck is very familiar with the state of Utah, as he spent majority of his collegiate career at BYU and served as their quarterbacks coach in 2013 as well. Beck, having experience working at a plethora of different schools, will be able to utilize his connections around the country to help recruit and in turn bring the Utah offense back to life.
Although there are still many uncertainties surrounding Utah football, solidifying your offensive coordinator is a step in the right direction as the Utes officially enter the offseason.
