Utah offensive coordinator Andy Ludwig resigns: Where do Utes go from here?

Utah offensive coordinator Andy Ludwig has resigned, the program announced Sunday evening.

The Utes lost 13-7 at home to TCU on Saturday and fell to 4-3 overall and 1-3 in Big 12 play. It was the third straight loss for Utah, which was already picked to win the conference in the preseason. The offense has averaged 13.75 points per game in Big 12 play this year.

“Coach Ludwig has been instrumental in our success here at Utah, and I personally have great respect and admiration for Andy, both as a coach and as a person,” Utah coach Kyle Whittingham said in a statement, calling Ludwig a “consummate professional.” .”

The Utes have not announced a replacement, but offensive analyst Mike Bajakian, who worked as offensive coordinator at Northwestern from 2020-23, joined the program this offseason and will be made available to reporters Monday.

Ludwig was the offensive coordinator under Whittingham from 2005-08 before returning to Utah in 2019 after stints at Cal, San Diego State, Wisconsin and Vanderbilt.

The Utes won the Pac-12 in 2021 and 2022, but have struggled the past two seasons as quarterback Cam Rising battled multiple injuries. Rising was sidelined for the season with an ankle injury on Oct. 14 after returning for one game following a hand injury that kept him on the bench earlier this season. True freshman Isaac Wilson, who started in Rising's place in Weeks 3-5, has assumed starting duties.

This year, the Utes rank 83rd nationally in yards per play. Last season they were 103. — Ubben

What's next for Ludwig?

After Ludwig first left Utah following the team's undefeated season in 2008, Whittingham had eight different offensive coordinators over the following ten seasons. Ludwig returned in 2019 and helped stabilize Utah's offensive identity in line with what Whittingham prioritized: a dedicated rushing attack and owning time of possession.

Utah's offense under Ludwig finished in the top 15 nationally in total offense during the years the Utes were repeat Pac-12 champions.

In February 2023, Notre Dame targeted Ludwig for its open offensive coordinator position, but the school chose not to pursue Ludwig due to a high acquisition. Ludwig's annual salary of $1.8 million made him one of the highest-paid offensive coordinators in the country.

After being courted by the Irish, Ludwig told reporters last spring, “I'm going to finish my football career in Utah.” — Kamrani

(Photo: Rob Gray / USA Today)