ANN ARBOR, Mich. – The search for a head coach to replace Shereone Moore, following his dismissal and arrest, is over: the Michigan Wolverines have hired former Utah Utes head coach Kyle Whittingham.
Whittingham, 66, agreed to a five-year deal worth $8.2 million with 75% guaranteed as he becomes the program’s 22nd head coach.
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“We are honored to lead the outstanding student-athletes, coaches, and staff who represent Michigan Football each day.
Michigan is synonymous with tradition and excellence—both on the field and beyond—and our entire program is committed to upholding those values while striving for greatness together.
My family and I are thrilled to join the University of Michigan community, and we look forward to helping our players grow, develop, and reach their highest potential—on the gridiron, in the classroom, and as leaders.
It’s a privilege to be part of something that inspires pride in every Wolverine fan. Go Blue!
Kyle Whittingham
Whittingham stepped down a few weeks ago after serving as their head coach from 2005 to 2025, leading the football program to an astounding 177-88 and a 10-2 record this season.
The 66-year-old has won three conference championships in 2008, 2021, and 2022.
Whittingham was named the Associated Press National Coach of the Year during the 2008 season.
He also won the Dodd Trophy Coach of the Year in 2019 and back-to-back Pac-12 Coach of the Year honors in 2021 and 2022.
“Kyle Whittingham is a well-respected and highly successful head coach who is widely recognized as a leader of exceptional character and principled leadership.
Throughout our search, he consistently demonstrated the qualities we value at Michigan: vision, resilience, and the ability to build and sustain championship-caliber teams.
Kyle brings not only a proven track record of success, but also a commitment to creating a program rooted in toughness, physicality, discipline and respect—where student-athletes and coaches represent the university with distinction both on and off the field.
We are excited to welcome Kyle to the University of Michigan family as he takes the helm of our football program.”
Michigan Athletic Director Warde Manuel
Whittingham had a winning record in 18 of his 21 years with the Utes, including 11-6 in bowl games, tying him for the most among active coaches.
Reports indicate that Whittingham will travel with the Wolverines to Orlando, where they’ll take on the Texas Longhorns on New Year’s Eve during the Cheez-It Bowl at 3 p.m.
Desmond Howard, Former Michigan Heisman Trophy Winner; ESPN College GameDay Analyst
“I want to congratulate the University of Michigan leadership, especially Warde Manuel, for navigating a challenging process and coming away with what I truly believe is the best hire of this coaching cycle.
I’m extremely excited about Coach Whittingham leading Michigan.
If you had asked me prior to this to name my favorite head coaches in the sport, his name would’ve been one of the very first I mentioned.
He’s exactly what Michigan needs right now. Coach Whittingham commands immense admiration across college football, from the media to fellow coaches, and anytime his name comes up among my peers, the sentiment is unanimous: respect.
He’s your favorite coach’s favorite coach, and that says everything."
Desmond Howard
Michigan has a chance to finish this tumultuous season on a high note by winning its 10th game of the year.
With the Utes, Whittingham built a winning program during his tenure and will bring decades of college football experience.
Whittingham is a future College Football Hall of Fame coach who has won 10 games or more eight times, nine or more 12 times, and went 13-0 in 2008.
He also has familiarity with Michigan, having beaten Rich Rodriguez at the Big House in 2008 during his debut with the Wolverines and Jim Harbaugh at Rice-Eccles Stadium in 2015.
Whittingham is expected to bring offensive coordinator Jason Beck to Ann Arbor with the idea of unlocking quarterback Bryce Underwood’s potential.
“Congratulations to the University of Michigan on hiring Kyle Whittingham as its 22nd head football coach.
While I don’t know Coach Whittingham personally, every person I’ve spoken with who has been associated with him speaks about him with the utmost respect.
They all say the same thing: he’s a man of integrity and character who develops players not only on the field, but off it as well.
I truly believe Michigan has found the right leader for its program, and I’m excited to support the team as they compete for College Football Playoff berths and national championships."
Taylor Lewan
The Utes’ offense ranked No. 5 in the nation during the 2025 season in scoring, averaging 41.1 points per game and No. 2 in rushing.
They were No. 6 in total offense and 91st in passing offense, but they’re 63rd in yards per pass, as they, like Michigan, were a run-heavy team with mobile quarterbacks and outstanding running backs who averaged 6.1 yards per attempt.
With a roster full of potential like Jordan Marshall, Savion Hiter, Justice Haynes, Andrew Marsh, and Marlin Klein, to name a few, the new look Wolverines could light up the scoreboard next season.