Amid speculation he’s bound for USC, Utah running back coach Kiel McDonald said goodbye to the Utes program on Sunday.

He’d been in Salt Lake City since 2017, coming over to the Utah program after a five-year stint with Eastern Washington as the team’s running backs coach and special teams coordinator. He is reportedly set to become the new running backs coach at USC.

“To Ute Nation, from the sea of red in Vegas for the championship game to the moments of loudness for Ty and Aaron, you’ve been amazing for these young men,” McDonald wrote on Twitter. “Coach (Whittingham), thank you for giving me a chance to coach amongst some of the best teachers, developers, and men in the country.

“To the MUSS, you are all unbelievable. You all always show up and show out. To my 22’s. Aaron, we love you and miss your kind-hearted soul. To my ac, Ty, your light will forever be with me and the U.”

Nothing has been officially announced yet by the Trojans, though McDonald has updated his Twitter bio to read: “RB Coach at THE BLVD.”

His departure marks a blow to the Utah coaching staff. McDonald has a reputation as a strong evaluator and developer of talent. Under his tutelage, Utah saw three straight 1,000-yard seasons from running back Zack Moss. Ty Jordan pasted 597 yards and six scores for the Utes last season with a per-carry average above 7 yards. Then in 2021, a three-headed rotation at back—Tavion Thomas, TJ Pledger, and Micah Bernard—produced a combined 2,331 rushing yards and 29 touchdowns.