Toward the end of Kyle Whittingham’s 21-year tenure leading the Utah Utes, his name virtually vanished from the speculative coaching discussions typically associated with success at less conventional programs.
This wasn’t due to a lack of interest from larger institutions. In fact, Whittingham’s stature had only grown over time as he guided Utah from dominating the Mountain West to securing Pac-12 championships, culminating in a strong 10-2 bounce-back season this year after an exceptionally rare losing campaign in 2024.
Yet, Utah was his long-term professional home. And at 66 years old, it seemed his window for another career move had closed. When Whittingham declared his resignation on December 12, the immediate public response and tributes from Utah, where he had dedicated a total of 32 years, suggested he was retiring.
This was incorrect.
It turns out Whittingham will likely secure an opportunity with an elite university after all. With Michigan embroiled in controversy, internal investigations, and potential shifts in leadership, the institution appears to be turning to the most accomplished coach it could have possibly recruited, even under ideal circumstances.
Do you recall the common trend where organizations often select a leader diametrically opposed to their recently dismissed one?
By replacing the undisciplined, novice, offense-focused Sherrone Moore with a seasoned, Medicare-eligible, defense-minded football strategist who has maintained a rigorous workout schedule for decades, Michigan would fundamentally alter its program’s perception overnight.
Kyle Whittingham is reportedly the target of Michigan’s head coaching search. He went 177-88 in 21 seasons at Utah. (Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
(Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
No one will challenge Whittingham’s earnestness. His capability in managing the football program will be beyond dispute. There will be no cause for concern about his private activities potentially embarrassing the institution.
Following the Moore debacle, the complete cultural reset Whittingham would bring is precisely what Michigan needs. Given the limited pool of available candidates, with many coaches having already accepted other roles or extended their current contracts, Michigan would be making a well-considered decision rather than a haphazard one.
However, would he achieve victory?
That presents a more compelling inquiry.
Michigan supporters should not be concerned about Whittingham’s age. Even if his appointment is seen as a temporary measure, with more of his career behind him than ahead, it’s currently futile for any program to plan beyond a five-year horizon. This is the era of the transfer portal for both athletes and coaches. The kind of two-decade longevity Whittingham just experienced at Utah is unrealistic in today’s landscape.
Michigan fans also don’t need to question his drive. It’s now evident that Whittingham wished to continue coaching but felt pressure to depart from a Utah administration worried that defensive coordinator Morgan Scalley, designated as the head coach-in-waiting on July 1, 2024, would grow impatient.
“I had no desire to be the person who lingered too long, leading people to wonder, ‘When will this individual finally leave?’” Whittingham told the Salt Lake Tribune last week. “That was never, ever my intention. I hope I avoided that. I’m sure with some people I didn’t. For me, the moment was opportune.”
It’s understandable if Michigan fans are cautious about a distinguished, older figure making a final career change. Such moves haven’t always panned out, as seen with Mack Brown or Bill Belichick at North Carolina, Brian Kelly at LSU, and most recently Gus Malzahn at UCF.
Nevertheless, it would be shocking if Whittingham, of all people, approached this opportunity as a highly remunerated semi-retirement position. Having been at the same university since 1994, receiving this unexpected chance late in his career to coach at a place with almost limitless resources would undoubtedly re-energize him.
Furthermore, Whittingham wasn’t exactly experiencing a decline. Utah participated in consecutive Rose Bowls in 2021 and 2022. While the combined 13-12 record over the subsequent two years was disappointing, it primarily resulted from unfortunate injury setbacks at the quarterback position. Utah’s resurgence to a 10-2 record this year definitively proved Whittingham’s continued capability in the transfer portal/NIL era.
His tactical approach to football should find success in the Big Ten. Every elite team in that league, including Indiana, Oregon, and Ohio State, builds its foundation from the offensive and defensive lines. This was Whittingham’s method at Utah; he would simply command access to a greater wealth of talent at Michigan.
The most significant question for Whittingham in any role outside of Utah, of course, is how his recruitment strategies will adapt. This is particularly relevant for someone whose rosters traditionally relied on overlooked athletes from the Mountain and Pacific time zones, now needing to contend for four- and five-star talent across the Midwest and nationwide, as the Michigan position demands.
However, Michigan’s NIL infrastructure ranks among the finest in college sports, demonstrating its prowess by securing top-rated freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood last year. Assuming Whittingham is skilled at cultivating appropriate connections within Michigan’s donor community, the recruiting aspect should largely manage itself.
It is the program’s culture, though, where Whittingham should be able to restore Michigan’s footing. Despite Jim Harbaugh’s considerable success later in his career, the program was simply too disorganized. Connor Stalions. Matt Weiss. Sherrone Moore. Too many infamous names became associated with that administration. Significant time and funds were wasted addressing unacceptable conduct.
Michigan required a definitive new beginning. It also needed a coach with sufficient authority to guide the team through anticipated future challenges. Although athletic director Warde Manuel led the coaching search, the university has retained a prestigious law firm to conduct an independent evaluation of the athletic department. Given the numerous scandals that occurred under his supervision, his potential removal would not be unexpected.
Michigan fans should be enthusiastic if Whittingham becomes the public face of that athletic department alongside basketball coach Dusty May. Sometimes, a calm, experienced presence is what’s needed, and by adding Whittingham, the Wolverines would have two such individuals.
No one truly knows how a new hire will perform until the team takes the field. Whittingham, just as he did at Utah over two decades ago, will need to demonstrate that his methods are effective at the highest echelons of the sport.
Yet, Michigan is also a place where a distracted, interim coach still managed a 9-3 record this season before his career veered off course. It’s an outstanding job with a high baseline of potential, where anyone with a fundamental level of competence should be able to compete for College Football Playoff berths.
Supporters will have inquiries regarding Whittingham’s age, his offensive philosophy, and his geographical suitability. These are all valid points. However, they should remember that a coaching search conducted in mid-to-late December presented numerous opportunities for catastrophe, especially with a compromised athletic director and no permanent university president.
Instead, Michigan is taking the initial stride toward recovery.
