India, Dec. 13 -- Kyle Whittingham is stepping down after the Utah football team's game in the Las Vegas Bowl on December 31. With 177 victories, the 66-year-old is the most successful coach in the history of their football program.

"The time is right to step down from my position as the head football coach at the University of Utah. It's been an honor and a privilege to lead the program for the past 21 years and I'm very grateful for the relationships forged with all the players and assistant coaches that have worked so hard and proudly worn the drum and feather during our time here," he said in a statement.

Whittingham has been head coach since December 2004 and has been a Utes' coaching staff member since 1994. Given the many years h...