In 2004, Meyer left Utah for Florida following a 12-0 season and BYU fired Gary Crowton following a 5-6 season, and both schools pursued Whittingham as their next head coach.

"It was agonizing," says Whittingham of the decision. He lost 11 pounds during the four days he wrestled with the decision.

He had grown up in Provo and played for BYU, as had his father and three brothers. He had coached 10 years at Utah and his family had lived in the same home all that time. His siblings urged him to go to BYU; his wife and kids were for Utah.

"It was a split camp, family-wise," he says. "I had so much invested here, and my kids knew Utah. They would have needed psychotherapy if I had gone to BYU. But it's also a big draw to return to your alma mater. I wanted to make sure."

The chance to rebuild BYU after three straight losing seasons appealed to him. Where was he going to take Utah in the wake of the unbeaten 2004 season? Former BYU players called Whittingham urging him to return to his alma mater.

He consulted three general authorities of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints — President Henry B. Eyring, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland and Elder Cecil O. Samuelson, the BYU president. "Is this a church calling?" he asked them, referring to the offer of the job at BYU. Each assured him it wasn't.

He drove to Provo and toured the campus, trying to get a feel for what he should do. He sought answers in an LDS temple. He visited his father's grave. Finally, he told BYU officials he would accept the job.

"Then almost immediately he didn't feel good about it," Jamie says.

He called BYU officials and said he had changed his mind. He told Utah he was still a Ute. It has worked out happily for all involved. BYU gave the job to Bronco Mendenhall, who rewarded the Cougars with conference championships in 2006 and 2007. Whittingham brought the Utes back to the heights they achieved under Meyer and then some in 2008.