replacing Tim Morris who fell off the face of the earth 6 months ago.

All joking and kidding aside I hope whatever Coach Morris is going through he finds his way back.

Barnes has been acting Asst Coach since Morris left and Smith just made it official last week.

Barnes has been with the program since 2021 as director of player development

Biggest question.

Can he recruit???

Bill Bean served the athletic training needs of Utah’s student-athletes from 1976-2008. He passed away recently at the age of 76.(

I worked under Bill (known as Beaner to his friends) in 1979 and 1980 as an Utah student athletic trainer. I changed my major (one of the most difficult decision I ever had to make) when I got married to spend more time with my family but I never forgot I was two years I worked in the sports medicine department with Bill. He was a consummate professional both in the training room and on the field as both a practitioner and a teacher of athletic training.

As we learned this past football season with the Buffalo Bills, athletic trainers have the lives of their athletes in their hands. They are responsible for their lives every day. They are highly trained professionals who are dedicated to providing the best healthcare possible for student-athletes.

Athletic trainers are under appreciate but as Bill displayed, they focus on their job and being the best trainer possible,

……From the Utah Utes athletics website….The University of Utah Athletics Department mourns the passing of former Director of Sports Medicine Bill Bean, who passed away on June 20. Bean served for more than 30 years with the Utes' athletic training staff, and is a member of both the Utah Athletic Trainers Association Hall of Fame and the Rocky Mountain Athletic Training Association Hall of Fame.

"Bill Bean was a beloved member of the Utah Athletics family, whose care and expertise touched the lives of so many student-athletes, coaches and staff," said Mark Harlan, Director of Athletics. "Our hearts go out to his family and we join them in grieving the loss of such a special person who gave so much to Utah Athletics, and everybody who was fortunate to know him."

54 days left, let’s talk about walkon-turned-scholarship player, Hayden Furey…

https://utah.rivals.com/news/utenation-countdown-to-kickoff-no-54-hayden-furey

55 days left!… Let’s talk about Utah’s prized 2023 OL recruit that already participated in spring ball…

https://utah.rivals.com/news/utenation-countdown-to-kickoff-no-55-spencer-fano

The Pac 12 extended invitations to SMU and SDSU on the June 30th then on the 1st of July announced the media deal that was bigger and better than the big12. Just take a big old crap on the day the big 12 adds 4 new members to save their second rate conference, steal the news cycle and spit in the faces of every big12 shill.

I know I am petty but that would make my week.

I can’t say I disagree compared to the other schools, but Utah will be fine. Both David Washington and Ca’lil Valentine are announcing over the next five days — both four-stars who could give Utah’s recruiting a nice boost.

https://n.rivals.com/news/pac-12-winners-and-losers-from-a-busy-june

As Twitter gets more and more restricted, I’ll be there while it lasts, but follow me on threads, as well. I’ll link the site one when that’s set up too.

Utah loses out on a needed WR target.

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With 56 days, let’s talk about an up-and-comer who is talented, but their breakout MIGHT be a year away.

https://utah.rivals.com/news/utenation-countdown-to-kickoff-no-56-ka-eo-akana

Today we feature a key depth player on the interior defensive line:

Steve Tate's son, played at Copper Canyon, looks decent, but didn't have an offer from Utah or BYU and just committed to Baylor. Is that because Utah doesn't have many scholarships for linebackers this year? Is it because he's a mission kid, so they're going to wait until he's back to see what the linebacker room looks like? Is he just a solid player, not a can't miss guy? Does he play better in a 3-4 and doesn't seem like a good fit for Utah's scheme?

I'm always curious when legacy Utes don't get Utah offers, and this kid had enough P5 offers (ASU, Baylor, BC, OKST, WSU) that I wasn't sure the reason.

My son starts at the U this fall.

He is going to try and walk on.

In the past, there has been a fall and a spring tryout. Thus far there is nothing online that I can see announcing one.

Does anyone know the schedule?

Thanks and happy 4th!

With 58 days left until kickoff, here’s a guy ready for a huge season… Junior Tafuna…

https://utah.rivals.com/news/utenation-countdown-to-kickoff-no-58-junior-tafuna-1

I’m really intrigued to see the next guy on our list. With 59 days left, let’s talk Falcon Kaumatule.

https://utah.rivals.com/news/utenation-countdown-to-kickoff-no-59-falcon-kaumatule-1

So remember for years BYU fans made fun of us for a PAC-12 sticker here and there.

Well dang, they blew by any celebrating we ever did getting into the PAC-12 and took it to a whole new ridiculous comical level.

BYU threw a pep rally at midnight complete with fireworks and blue glowsticks with a carnival earlier. They actually paid for a "countdown clock" in Times Square, NY. (wth, lol).

Here's an interesting quote to come out of the festivities. Jarom Jordan went Biblical and compared BYU's plight to the Israelis back in the day and early Mormons fleeing persecution (umm okay).

“Like ancient Israel and the (LDS) pioneers, we waited and waited and found the right place,” said Jordan. “This is the place!”

Barry Tramel was "impressed..."

Four years and $102M

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Very interesting.

https://kutv.com/news/entertainment...among-roughly-20-espn-personalities-laid-off#

Interesting stat / analysis I saw today. According to this, the Utes face arguably one of the toughest set of offenses in FBS. They also may have the toughest schedule of the 4 teams predicted to be conference championship contenders (U$C, Oregon, WA, and the Utes).

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We’re into July and just 61 days away from kickoff. Let’s talk about Kolinu’u Faaiu…

https://utah.rivals.com/news/utenation-countdown-to-kickoff-no-61-kolinu-u-faaiu

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Good luck to Isaac in the future!

And, fortunately, the Utes still have a loaded tight end room.

Here’s Sean’s article on Hunter:

https://utah.rivals.com/news/what-it-means-chandler-cb-hunter-commits-to-utah

Hunter, as expected, is a Ute. He was and Iowa State lean until Utah came in late… Article coming soon…

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Here’s Cole’s story on Sammie Hunter, who visited over the weekend:

https://utah.rivals.com/news/utah-s-winning-culture-is-big-for-hunter

These are pretty awesome:

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Utah, USC, Stanford, Oregon