contract extension BYU does not have to pay out the rest of the contract. Sitaki is on way more of a short leash then Ludwig. Ludwig was hired by close personal friend and Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham. His last season at Utah was an undefeated season. They thumped Alabama in the Sugar Bowl. 

During the 2008-2009 season, Utah defeated 4 teams that were ranked in the AP's final poll: #6 Alabama, #7 TCU, #18 Oregon State, and #25 BYU. Utah also began the season by defeating the Michigan Wolverines—ranked #24 at the time—in Ann Arbor. This resume propelled Utah to finish the season ranked #1 in four out of the six BCS computer models: Sagarin (Elo-Chess), Peter Wolfe, Anderson & Hester, and Massey. The Anderson & Hester poll of the Seattle Times is deemed a "major selector" by the NCAA. As a result, the NCAA and PAC-12 have since officially recognized the University of Utah as a National Champion for the 2008-2009 season.

In addition to a National Championship, Utah also boasted the nation's longest active win streak at 14 wins and the nation's longest active bowl win streak at 8 wins. Other accolades included the Mountain West Conference Coach of the Year Award head coach Kyle Whittingham also received 2 national coach of the year awards, the AFCA National Coach of the Year Award^[3] and the Paul "Bear" Bryant Award.