Morgan Scalley is not going anywhere.
After shocking allegations a little less than a month ago that Scalley, the Utah defensive coordinator, used a racial slur in a text message exchange with a recruit in 2013, he was indefinitely suspended by Utah athletic director Mark Harlan at awaiting the result of a private investigation.
An investigation by Kansas City law firm Husch Blackwell officially ended when Harlan and head coach Kyle Whittingham announced that Scalley would remain in place for next season.
In addition to being held on staff, there are consequences that have been set for Scalley, which are ultimately not very serious. Listed below …
1) Coach Scalley will commit to leadership of the University’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion team, including Vice President Mary Ann Villarreal. It will participate in regular and continuing education on diversity and inclusion, and is expected to be a key partner in addressing the issues of racism and prejudice in the Utah Department of Athletics, the University, and the community at large.
2) In December 2019, the University and Coach Scalley verbally agreed to a multi-year extension of their contract, increasing their annual compensation to $ 1.1 million. Instead, your new contract will return to its 2018 compensation level in the form of a one-year term of $ 525,000.
3) In December 2019, Athletic Director Mark Harlan extended a verbal offer to Coach Scalley to become the Waiting Head Coach, which Harlan has now rescinded.
1st.) Scalley was already one of the most outspoken members of the Utah Athletics Department regarding the murder of George Floyd and the BLM movement, making him a key partner in address issues of racism and bias in the Utah Department of Athletics, the University, and the community at large There will be no problem.
1b.) Scalley will only lose her multi-year extension money for next season, not exactly a big loss considering she will win $ 1.1 million again for the 2021 season.
1c.) While the waiting head coach is no longer part of his contract, it’s hard to imagine Utah overtaking Scalley if the head coach position is available.
In a letter from Harlan and Whittingham to the media, both acknowledge the completion of the investigation and say: “We have thoroughly evaluated all available information to determine the most appropriate conclusion and the way forward. The racist language used by Coach Scalley is inexcusable and detrimental to everyone, particularly to the communities identified in the report.We believe and hope that he will learn and lead, as long as he owns his past behavior, to rebuild trust, reconcile the damage caused and have a positive impact on the life of student athletes. “
Additionally, $ 100,000 that would previously be used as part of the Scalley increase will now be redirected to “improve scheduling and staff support” for the Utah athletics department. UTAH Group (United Together Against Hate), a student and athlete forum that launched in early 2019.
When the allegations came up, Scalley openly acknowledged the use of the word and admitted that he “made a terrible mistake.” He also said that immediately after his use of the racial slur, he immediately approached the recruit and his family to apologize for his mistake.
In a statement made after the allegations emerged, Scalley said …
“In 2013 I made a terrible mistake. I used a racial slur in a text message. This language is offensive and damaging not only to the African American community, but to everyone. Immediately after sending it, I apologized to the recipient and his family.
I am also heartbroken over the possible breach of trust with my fellow coaches and the youth in our program, both past and present.
I really am sorry, and I recognize the hurtful effects of my choice. Through my actions and words going forward, I will demonstrate that my use of that insult in 2013 does not reflect or define who I am or what I stand for. My action is indefensible and I will use my voice and position to effect significant and much-needed change.
I accept the suspension from the University, and will use it as a moment to reflect on my insensitive comment from 2013 and how I intend to listen and grow from this situation. I am completely against racism, and this will never happen again. “
Other findings in the independent research include that most coaches and players are “shocked” about the initial use of the racial slur, that Scalley had a positive relationship with most student athletes, and that their training style can be considered ” intimidating and intense. “
According to the report, Harlan and Whittingham consulted with the Utah Leadership Council, a 13-player committee that leads the team. They also met with the team itself to better understand their expectations and emotions on the matter, concluding that they wanted Scalley to stay with the show.
“In addition to the information provided in the report, we have engaged in multiple conversations with student athletes in the soccer program to listen to and understand their perspectives as we work through this process,” Harlan and Whittingham wrote in the letter. “That included an in-depth conversation with the 13-member Leadership Council, a diverse group of student-athletes from the various team classes, as well as a team-wide meeting where we presented the serious and meaningful results of the report These Conversations They were insightful and sincere, providing an even deeper level of understanding of the range of emotions our student athletes feel. They communicated their concerns and expectations to us, as well as their strong support for Coach Scalley to remain on staff. “
When the allegations were first heard about, several Utah players and those associated with Scalley came to his aid. They reached out to social media to express their support for the man who has changed most of their lives, nothing more than former Utes and current NFL 2020 recruits Terrell Burgess and Julian Blackmon.
Former Utah player Tom Hackett, one of the most respected Utes in the state who is still very close to the show, took a unique perspective on Scalley’s situation. He says that while a lot of fans love Scalley, they only see superficial love and that there are many others who cannot bear man.
Scalley has been a member of the Utah soccer staff for the past 13 years, including the last five as a defensive coordinator. He was also on a short list of coordinator candidates who should be the next wave of head coaches, as he is praised in soccer circles for his defensive game plans and leadership skills.
Previously, there would be important factors regarding the results of the research and what Whittingham and Harlan chose to do with Scalley. The precedent that Whittingham and Harlan have just set will surely have a ripple effect in the rest of the country.
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