This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Then, he'd been pelted by Gatorade and streamers.
This time, ice water and confetti.
As dusk enveloped Sam Boyd Stadium and memories of Utah's 2014 season began the slow fade from vivid to vague, Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham told ESPN 700 that this year was his most fulfilling as head coach, save 2008.
And in some ways, he said, it was better than that.
These Utes may have proven as much as those who beat Alabama in the Sugar Bowl to finish the season undefeated.
Those Utes could beat the haves. These Utes could be the haves.
Utah outgained Colorado State by 548 yards to 278 and manhandled the Rams on both sides of the line of scrimmage, lending credence to Whittingham's feeling that his team is as talented as it has been since leaving the Mountain West.
But the Las Vegas Bowl was, if we're honest, more epilogue than climax.
It wasn't the same as it was after Utah beat UCLA and Oregon State and Stanford, when "Utah Man" rang out as the ground seemed to shake outside the visitors locker room. Saturday, a more subdued bunch milled about in the end zone, shaking hands with fans and embracing loved ones and teammates — not lost in the moment so much as lingering in it.
The lesson from this season, according to junior running back Devontae Booker, is that while they've shown they belong in the Pac-12, it's going to take that much more to achieve their ultimate goal: a win in the Rose Bowl, or better.
Many players will spend the holidays with friends and family in California, Texas, Florida and Utah, but most will be back in January to reboot the yearlong grind. Senior defensive end Nate Orchard, the nation's sack leader for the time being, said he would begin training for combine workouts Sunday. Sixteen other seniors will start the next phase of their lives, either in football or otherwise.
Meanwhile, Utah's coaches will turn their attention toward Signing Day.
It will work in their favor that they've won three games in California, critical recruiting turf, and quelled fears that they might never escape the death spiral of bowl-less seasons. And for the first time in seven years, all signs point to them having the same offensive coordinator, with Dave Christensen returning.
But success comes with a price.
It was not the season hoped for by sophomore cornerback Reginald Porter, or senior free safety Tevin Carter, or senior wideout Dres Anderson, or junior quarterback Kendal Thompson, among others who saw their 2014 campaign cut short by injury.
Some quarterbacks may transfer to escape a jumbled field, and some juniors may parlay standout performances into an early start to their NFL careers. Booker and left tackle Jeremiah Poutasi are among those expected to weigh their options, and the program would sorely miss either.
As it would Whittingham, or his defensive coordinator of five years, Kalani Sitake.
Utah proved itself, and so did they. The faces of Utah football are now tied to job openings, and Athletic Director Chris Hill may have to sweeten their deals if he's to persuade them to stay.
From 5-7 to 9-4, this offseason is as ripe with juicy storylines as the last.
But memories have a longer shelf life than players and coaches, and the last memory, for Utah fans, is a good one.
Twitter: @matthew_piper