Isaac Wilson Focused On Moving Utah Football Forward

Oct 22, 2024, 3:13 PM | Updated: 3:19 pm

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - SEPTEMBER 28: Isaac Wilson #11 of the Utah Utes throws a pass against the Arizona Wildcats during the second half of their game at Rice Eccles Stadium on September 28, 2024 in Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images)

(Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images)

BY STEVE BARTLE

Utah Insider

SALT LAKE CITY – As Mondays typically go, it was the start of a new week for Utah Football. Unlike most Mondays though, this week’s included a new a change to the coaching staff.

Coming off of a 13-7 loss to TCU, Andy Ludwig resigned from his post as offensive coordinator Sunday night. It was announced Monday morning by head coach Kyle Whittingham that Mike Bajakian, who had been serving as analyst and quarterbacks coach, was elevated to offensive coordinator.

At the center of all of this is Isaac Wilson, the true freshman quarterback tasked with righting Utah’s fortunes. Given the whirlwind that this weekend has been, Wilson is doing his best to keep his focus on what’s ahead.

Some disappointment after Andy Ludwig’s departure

The aftermath of Andy Ludwig’s decision to step down has been a whirlwind process. True freshman quarterback, Isaac Wilson, had an understandable sense of disappointment when he talked about Ludwig. His offense played a significant role in why Wilson chose to come to Utah.

“Obviously, it’s been a hard thing to go through, I committed here to play under coach Lud,” Wilson shared. “Again, it’s a hard thing to go through but we got to keep moving forward. With this three-game drought, we’ve got to back to winning.”

Moving forward with Mike Bajakian

It’s clear that there are some bittersweet feelings around Ludwig’s departure. For Wilson, there remains optimism and focus on what lies ahead. Bajakian’s experience in college and the NFL as a quarterbacks coach is significant and inspires belief from the young quarterback.

“I have full faith in coach Bajakian, he’s been our quarterbacks coach for a little bit now, and we have full trust in him,” Wilson said. “He’s a smart dude, he’s been all over the country– Tampa, Tennessee, Northwestern, he’s done it all. Just having the extra help that I’ve had this year, now he’s the OC, I feel like I have a great connection with him.”

All about the effort to turn things around

On day one in his new role, coach Bajakian’s message to the team was centered on buy-in and effort. The only way to turn things around at this stage of the season is through hard work and Wilson is all in on that message.

“Effort, we need effort, we’re known as a team for physicality and, especially me, we need to work back towards that,” Wilson shared. “Effort is the first step in that direction. The losses are losses, we didn’t expect the season to go like this, but we’re going to come back.”