It took longer than expected, but Utah finally has an offensive coordinator in Jason Beck.
As of Thursday night, the former BYU quarterback (2004-06), will be the play caller for the Utes. Beck, who brings with him 16 years of FBS coaching experience, has spent much of his coaching career working under Bronco Mendenhall — his former head coach.
Beck began working with him in 2013 and has been either the quarterbacks coach or an offensive coordinator at Virginia, Syracuse, and most recently New Mexico. The former BYU quarterback played a key role in developing one of the nation’s most explosive offenses. Under Beck’s guidance, the Lobos, led by quarterback Devon Dampier, who has since entered the transfer portal, averaged 484.2 yards per game, ranking fourth in the country.
Holy War: Why I Painted A BYU-Utah Football Field In My Backyard
After Utah missed out on two other coordinators (Ben Arbuckle and Mack Leftwich), the news that Utah finally secured one of the biggest parts of the coaching staff brought a sigh of relief for Ute fans.
For BYU fans, seeing former players coaching for Utah is hard to watch, but that’s what makes the rivalry so great. So many players on both sides of the rivalry have coached against their rival (Kalani Sitake, Aaron Roderick, Sione Pou’ha, Jay Hill, etc.) and this will just add another spicy layer to one of the greatest rivalries in the country.
Here’s all the reactions from Utah and BYU fans, national media as well as former players and coaches:
Welcome home, Coach! Bring that QB of yours with you please
— Josh Reynolds (@JoshReynolds24) December 6, 2024
Utah is targeting New Mexico OC Jason Beck to be its new offensive coordinator, sources tell @YahooSports. Deal likely done soon.
A former BYU QB, Beck’s offense this year ranked fourth nationally, with QB Devon Dampier as one of the country’s leaders in overall offense.
— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) December 6, 2024
I love it!
Jason Beck was always impressive and very good to me. I think he’ll do awesome at Utah. https://t.co/t6in6NIJaX
— jake murphy (@Jak3Murphy) December 6, 2024
If it’s true Utah hit a home run with their hire
— Coach Holliday (@eagle88me) December 6, 2024
First and foremost, unbelievable person. Secondly, I was with him and watched him develop quarterbacks. We took a walk on and won games with him throwing the ball. lastly extremely intelligent and makes things simplistic so you can play your best players.
— Coach Holliday (@eagle88me) December 6, 2024
Byu hires Utah guys for help on defense, Utah hires Byu guys for help on offense. The circle of life.
— Jeremy Olsen (@JeremyOlsen41) December 6, 2024
Death
Taxes
And another BYU graduate to fix the Utah program 😉But seriously, @Coach_Beck7 is amazing. Utes got a good one! https://t.co/G8rHpex1mr
— Justin Giles (@JustinGiles_) December 6, 2024
Jason Beck,
When you interview with Coach Whitt and he asks you what play you run on 1st & 10 or 3rd & long, this answer will get you the job regardless of the question. pic.twitter.com/TKMI1svpKL
— Peace, Love, & Utes (@peaceloveutes) December 5, 2024
Damn you sporty😭
— LWF (@porter_john32) December 6, 2024
For those Utah fans on the fence with Jason Beck, imagine this type of offensive scheme with @Utah_Football.
I could see Isaac Wilson balling out with a coordinator like Jason Beck. Not a bad move at all! #GoUtes pic.twitter.com/ezNBjZXZ1C
— Utah Man Duane (@duaney333) December 5, 2024
Home run higher for @Utah_Football Jason beck is a great coach and a better human! I’m stoked! pic.twitter.com/ksLwakuZzn
— Moose Bingham (@MooseB90) December 6, 2024
Utah State talking to Bronco Mendenhall. Jason Beck talking to Utah. Jay Hill at BYU. What is happening?!? pic.twitter.com/MN1wPohq6o
— Craig Larson (@cray_ig) December 5, 2024
Fafita would be such a fun fit with that type of offense!
— Isaac Wilson Enthusiast (@UteLocal) December 6, 2024
Ute fans so insecure about him being a former BYU guy is so silly. Jay Hill is a former Ute and he’s obviously crushing it for them in Provo.
— LoyalUte (@CarterGee43) December 5, 2024
I am not excited for Jason Beck
— Brett Borg (@BrettBorg) December 5, 2024
Utah fans, always looking forward to the next negative thing. Tradition
— Go_Utes (@utes_big12) December 6, 2024
If Jason Beck brings Devon Dampier along with him the Utes will be a completely different team on offense next year! Amazing coach, potentially bringing along an electric talent.
As the dust settles, this couldn’t have gone any better for Utah!
— Calvy J (@CJRealHoops1) December 6, 2024
I know Devon Dampier threw 12 ints, but he ran for 1,166 and 19 TDs on a 7.5 YPC average…..as a QB! He also threw for 2,768 yards.
Okay, I've seen enough. Beck and Dampier to Utah!
— Statue of Whitt (@StatueOfWhitt) December 6, 2024
Wait… was the answer at OC Jason Beck this whole time?
#4 FBS Offense in YPG—484.5
#3 FBS Offense in PPG—33.8
Broyles Award NomineeBring him in.
Get it done.And give him money for his assistants.
Ready to build the offensive tree at Utah.
Where do we sign?
— Glass Half Ute. (@GlassHalfUte) December 5, 2024
— UteUtahJazz (@UteUtahJazz) December 6, 2024
When in doubt, get a former BYU guy
— 🔑 to your ❤️ (@AgbajiAgenda) December 6, 2024
Jason Beck is a phenomenal hire. You’re just weird if you don’t like him because he once wore a Y on his helmet.
— Coach HF (@Coachhf85) December 6, 2024
Jason Beck is a damn good football coach. If Utah fans are nervous/annoyed because of his BYU ties… just let him get you to the season. The dude is fantastic. He'll get results.
— Jeff Hansen (@rakoto10) December 5, 2024
Ute fans not excited for Jason Beck are crazy. I'd be down with him being BYU's OC if ARod wasn't.
If I'm Jason Beck though, I don't take the Utah job if Whitt is there. You'll be handcuffed and blamed for everything.
— Some.BYU.Dude (@ByuSome) December 5, 2024
*checks notes to see what former BYU player is qualified and available…
Jason Beck, Max Hall? Has Sarkisian been fired from Texas yet?😆
— Nate Payne (@n8rtot317) February 10, 2023
Now all of a sudden Jason Beck is better than the first 2 OC’s they wanted.
— Average Homeboy aka Pit Master BGXII. 🤙 (@Average_Homeboy) December 6, 2024
I know nothing about what Jason Beck has accomplished in his time since leaving BYU, but I hope he can bring some of the Kalani-type respect to the Holy War that Kyle Whittingham lacks. It will be better for everyone in the state if there’s a little less sheer hatred.
— Spencer (@SpencerRosenhan) December 6, 2024
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Holy War: Why I Painted A BYU-Utah Football Field In My Backyard
