Former Utah Head Coach Kyle Whittingham is the 22nd Head Coach of the Michigan football program.
The news comes less than 3 weeks after the firing of Sherrone Moore. With just days before they take on Texas at the Cheez-It Bowl on the 31st of December.
Whittingham stepped down from his position at the Utah Utes at the end of the 2025 regular season, with many thinking he was retiring. That, however, was not the case. Kyle himself joked that he was “entering the transfer portal” and made it clear that he was looking for another coaching opportunity. His decision to step down came as a surprise to many. With Kyle viewed as a very good Head Coach with much to offer a program. He explained his decision was about ‘not overstaying his welcome’.
His Time at Utah
The 66 year old has been at Utah since 1994, starting as a defensive line coach. He was promoted in 1995 to Defensive Coordinator and remained DC for a decade. He took over the Head Coaching position job following Urban Meyer’s departure to Florida in 2005. In his 22 seasons with the Utes, he left with a 177-88 record. That record also came with 3 Conference titles, including 2 in 3 seasons before departing to the Big 12 in 2024.
His time at the Utes earned him multiple coaching honours including:
• AFCA Coach of the Year (2008)
• Paul “Bear” Bryant Award (2008)
• Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year (2019)
• 2× Pac-12 Coach of the Year (2019, 2021)
• Mountain West Coach of the Year (2008)
On to Michigan
The Wolverines and Whittingham have agreed to a 5 year deal, which will see them through the 2030 season. The likelihood is that Jason Beck (2025 OC for Utah) will join Whittingham in Ann Arbor. Whittingham will join the team in Orlando for their Bowl game on New Years Eve.
News of the hire has brought some mixed reception on social media. The hire isn’t flashy like some of the other names that have been floated around, such as ASU’s Kenny Dillingham or Alabama’s Kalen DeBoer. However, this is probably the best hire that Michigan could’ve realistically walked away with. Dillingham has committed his future to the Sun Devils and DeBoer has made it pretty clear he’s staying at Alabama. Whittingham was available, brings a wealth of experience and is probably the best man to steady the Michigan ship.
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