Is the next Kirby Smart out there to replace James Franklin?

STATE COLLEGE, PA - NOVEMBER 11: Penn State head coach James Franklin of the Penn State Nittany Lions reacts to a play against the Michigan Wolverines during the first half at Beaver Stadium on November 11, 2023 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
STATE COLLEGE, PA - NOVEMBER 11: Penn State head coach James Franklin of the Penn State Nittany Lions reacts to a play against the Michigan Wolverines during the first half at Beaver Stadium on November 11, 2023 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
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Nov 12, 2022; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Utes defensive coordinator Morgan Scalley looks on in the second quarter against the Stanford Cardinal at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 12, 2022; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Utes defensive coordinator Morgan Scalley looks on in the second quarter against the Stanford Cardinal at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-USA TODAY Sports

Morgan Scalley, Utah DC

The Pac-12 is all about offense with Washington, USC, and Oregon, but Utah has won two-straight Pac-12 titles because of defense. The Utes are the antithesis to Lincoln Riley and USC, and it’s not just Kyle Whittingham instilling that identity.

Morgan Scalley is in his 16th-year at Utah as an assistant and in his seven years as defensive coordinator, Utah has led the conference in rushing defense. That would be good new for Penn State right about now, because Blake Corum and Michigan just ran it down the Nittany Lions’ throats for the entire second half.

Whittingham and Scalley’s defenses are unique, fast, and most importantly, they’re tough. Scalley has found a way to throw haymakers with Lincoln Riley and Kalen DeBoer, two excellent offensive head coaches who are on their way to the Big Ten.