Utah football alumni allege injury mismanagement

Six former Utah football players have alleged that injuries were mishandled and that they faced pressure to return to play prematurely during former head coach Kyle Whittingham’s tenure.

According to a report from the Salt Lake Tribune, players including Van Fillinger, Tevita Fotu, Mycah Pittman, Jaylon Glover, and Miki Suguturaga expressed concerns regarding the program's medical culture between 2020 and 2024. Fillinger reported that after fracturing his tibia in 2022, he was not immediately given an X-ray despite significant pain. He also alleged that a position coach threatened him with removal from the team if he did not play despite being sidelined.

Wide receiver Mycah Pittman described a similar situation in 2024, stating that an MRI later revealed a partially torn Achilles a month after he had been diagnosed with a simple ankle sprain. The alumni suggested a disconnect existed between the training staff and the coaching staff, with a culture that prioritized quick returns to competition.