Alex Whittingham enters his seventh season with Kansas City in 2024 and sixth season as a defensive quality control coach after serving a single season as defensive assistant in 2018.
Whittingham primarily assisted the linebackers unit in 2023. The unit was highlighted by LB Nick Bolton and LB Drue Tranquill, who was acquired in the offseason. Bolton, despite playing just eight games due to injury, was still the defense's fifth-leading tackler with 60 tackles (38 solo) and added an interception, three passes defensed, a quarterback pressure and a tackle for loss. With Whittingham's assistance, Tranquill quickly integrated into the unit and emerged as the defense's third-highest tackler with 79 (54 solo). He showed his versatility with 4.5 sacks (-19.0 yards) and added seven quarterback pressures, seven tackles for loss and two forced fumbles to his production. The linebacker unit helped propel the Chiefs to their second-straight Super Bowl (LVII and LVIII) and third Super Bowl title in five years (LIV, LVII and LVIII).
In 2022, Whittingham worked closely with the linebackers unit led by new green dot and second-year LB Nick Bolton. Bolton had a historic season totaling 180 tackles (108 solo) which not only led the team but broke the Chiefs single-season tackle record en route to the Chiefs Super Bowl LVII victory. Bolton paired his high caliber tackling with 2.0 sacks, two interceptions, seven quarterback pressures and nine tackles for loss. The linebacking unit was also highlighted by LB Willie Gay who posted career highs in tackles (88), sacks (2.5), passes defensed (eight), quarterback pressures (four) and tackles for loss (nine). Whittingham also assisted with the development of rookie LB Leo Chenal, who took snaps in all 17 games logging 29 tackles (16 solo) and 1.0 sack.
The 2021 season marked Whittingham's second year working closely with the linebacking unit. With his assistance, this unit accounted for 2.5 sacks on the season and a fumble recovery for a touchdown versus the Broncos in Week 18. The defense's top two tacklers were rookie LB Nick Bolton who recorded 112 tackles (70 solo) and 11 for loss and fellow LB Anthony Hitchens who totaled 80 tackles with four for loss. Bolton was voted by his teammates as the team's Mack Lee Hill award winner as the best rookie or first year player.
In 2020, Whittingham primarily worked with a linebacking group that accounted for 3.0 sacks and 244 tackles. LBs Hitchens and Damien Wilson were the second and third leading tacklers with 78 (44 solo) and 70 (43 solo), respectively, and five tackles for loss between them.
Whittingham stepped into a new role as defensive quality control in 2019, working closely with new Chiefs Defensive Coordinator Steve Spagnuolo. He worked with the defensive line including Pro Bowl DT Chris Jones and DE Frank Clark who were ranked first and second on the team in sacks with 17.0 regular season sacks between them. Clark's 5.0 postseason sacks helped lead the Chiefs to a Super Bowl LIV victory over the 49ers.
Following his playing career at Utah, Whittingham jumped directly to the professional coaching ranks in 2018. He joined the Chiefs as a defensive assistant working closely with the outside linebackers including Pro Bowl selection fifth-year LB Dee Ford who was tied-first in the NFL with seven forced fumbles with All-Pro DE J.J. Watt and had a career-high 13.0 sacks. Whittingham worked closely with LB Justin Houston who had 9.0 sacks on the season and five forced fumbles.
The Salt Lake City native was a walk on for the Utes earning four letters (2013-17) appearing in 45 games as a special teams contributor. During the 2017 season, he was responsible for short snaps and spent time on both the kick and punt return team. He was a three-time honorable mention Pac-12 All-Academic selection. While at Utah, Whittingham played under his father, Kyle, who remains the Utes head coach and his uncle, Freddie Whittingham, who still serves as the tight ends coach.
Prior to attending Utah, Whittingham spent two years (2011-13) after high school serving as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Auckland, New Zealand.
Education: University of Utah (B.S. 2017). Hometown: Salt Lake City, Utah. Family: Wife - Gabi. Daughters - Eleanor and Emelia.
