SALT LAKE CITY — Mike Bajakian has been appointed as the interim offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for the University of Utah’s football team, effective Monday. This transition comes after the resignation of Andy Ludwig, as announced by head coach Kyle Whittingham during his regular press conference. Bajakian previously served as an offensive analyst with the Utes prior to his promotion.
The Utes have been struggling lately, having lost three consecutive games, during which they scored a mere total of 36 points. Whittingham stated that Bajakian will be given “complete autonomy” over play-calling, making a clear assertion of trust in his capabilities. “It will be his show,” he added, emphasizing the responsibility placed on Bajakian’s shoulders.
Before joining Utah this season, Bajakian spent four years at Northwestern as their offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. He has also held offensive coordinator roles at several other institutions, including Boston College, Tennessee, Cincinnati, and Central Michigan. Further adding to his experience, he was the quarterbacks coach for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 2015 to 2018.
Ludwig’s resignation followed a disappointing 13-7 loss to TCU on Saturday night. The Utes, currently with a record of 4-3 and 1-3 in the Big 12, find themselves ranked 14th in scoring offense with an average of 24.0 points per game, and 15th in total offense at 385.9 yards per game among Big 12 teams after their first seven games this season.
Whittingham clarified that Ludwig’s departure was not coerced, as he has been a pivotal part of the Utes’ program for ten seasons across two separate terms as offensive coordinator. “Andy just felt it was time for the offense to hear a new voice,” Whittingham stated, adding that Ludwig expressed confusion regarding the current struggles of the team.
Last December, Bajakian was let go from Northwestern and later filed a lawsuit against the university in July, claiming defamation and the dissemination of false information tied to a hazing scandal that resulted in the firing of Pat Fitzgerald, the Wildcats’ former head coach, earlier this year. During his four seasons with Northwestern, Bajakian’s offensive units never ranked higher than ninth in total offense or 10th in scoring offense in the competitive Big Ten Conference.