Utah's Kyle Whittingham blames offseason staff departures on finances

Utah coach Kyle Whittingham blames financial limitations and an inability to offer multi-year contracts for the offseason departures of the Utes' offensive and defensive coordinators.

But still, the coach of one of the Pac-12's newest members believes Utah has a bright future, noting that the program is beginning to lure recruits it otherwise wouldn't have landed had it stuck in the Mountain West, according to Joe Schad of ESPN.

Utah's offense was previously led by Dave Christensen, who left the school to accept job with Texas A&M, while defensive coordinator Kalani Sitake left to take a similar job at Oregon State.

To fill the vacancies, the Utes hired Aaron Roderick and Jim Harding as co-offensive coordinators and hired John Pease as defensive coordinator.

As Utah prepares for another season of heightened exceptions in 2015, Whittingham is apparently following the lead of the coach of the reigning national champions, Ohio State.