Immediately following the conclusion of Whitworth's playing career, he joined the coaching staff at his alma mater, Idaho State as a graduate assistant in 2001, working with the running backs and special teams for two years in this role.
He also helped develop Jonathan Gonzales in to an All-Big Sky kicker and Kameron Canaday in to an All-American and future NFL long snapper.
Canaday went on to play five seasons in the NFL, spending 2016 with the Arizona Cardinals, and 2017–2020 with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
During that season, Whitworth mentored senior Jeremiah Haydel, who became the Bobcats' first FBS First-Team All-American return specialist.
He is the first tight ends coach in over a decade, as the Cougars had long been an Air raid offense under Mike Leach and Nick Rolovich.
[5] Whitworth was a running back and return specialist during his playing career at Idaho State, eventually earning all-conference honors at both positions.