How is Utah’s offensive install under new OC Kevin McGiven progressing?

New Utah offensive coordinator Kevin McGiven looks on during practice Thursday, March 19, 2026, in Salt Lake City. Utah Utes football spring practice in Salt Lake City, UT on Thursday, March 19, 2026. | Utah Athletics, Deseret News This article was first published in the Ute Insiders newslett er .

Sign up to receive the newsletter in your inbox each Wednesday night. Utah head coach Morgan Scalley wants the Utes’ offense to be innovative and able to stress the defense. While some might point to Utah’s passing offense opening up more under Scalley in the Las Vegas Bowl compared to the Kyle Whittingham-led years — quarterback Devon Dampier threw for 310 yards and two touchdowns in Utah’s win over Nebraska — the Utes’ new head man is quick to mention that an innovative offense doesn’t have to be pass-heavy.

“I have never said that I want it to be a pass-happy (offense) ... I want to dominate the line of scrimmage, I want to be innovative, and I want to stress defensive coordinators,” Scalley said. Like most schools with a new offensive coordinator, Utah is keeping the specifications of OC Kevin McGiven’s offense under wraps, though fans can expect a spread offense that takes advantage of the personnel Utah has.

Though McGiven will have his own spin on things, Utah’s offense could look similar to what Jason Beck ran last season, which was a selling point in the hire. “That’s the beauty is you pull that film up and go, ‘Look boys, doesn’t that look similar? ’” Scalley said in his January introductory press conference.