ORLANDO, Fla. – Kyle Whittingham was introduced as the 22nd head football coach in University of Michigan history.
The longtime head coach was introduced as the leader of the Michigan Wolverines football program on Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, as the replacement for former head coach Sherrone Moore, who was fired and arrested on Dec. 10 for an inappropriate relationship with a staff member, and he later broke into her apartment and threatened to harm himself.
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The introduction came three days before the Wolverines face the Texas Longhorns in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl at Camping World Stadium in Orlando on New Year’s Eve at 3 p.m.
Whittingham said, “I can say without question what an honor it is to be here. What a privilege it is to be able to coach this football team, the University of Michigan. Just a place that just reeks of tradition.”
He praised Michigan’s academic and athletic resources, calling it “one of the top universities in the world.”
Spending 21 years with Utah
Whittingham reflected on his 21 years coaching at Utah, where he recently stepped down.
“I wasn’t sure if I was finished or not. I still had a lot left in the tank,” Whittingham said.
Whittingham, 66, agreed to a five-year deal worth $8.2 million with 75% guaranteed as he becomes the program’s 22nd head coach.
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.
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.
He said he was treated well by Utah during his tenure and stepped down because he felt the time was right.
“I didn’t want to be that coach who stayed too long,” Whittingham said.
Whittingham reflected on his 21 years as head coach at Utah and how it prepared him for his new role at Michigan.
“That was my first head coaching job, so the learning curve early on was pretty steep for me,” Whittingham said,
Whittingham emphasized that no matter how prepared you feel, “You don’t really get it in the scope of everything that it entails until you’ve been in that chair.”
He said he learned many lessons over the years.
“College football has certainly changed in the last few years. It’s a whole different ballgame now with the transfer portal, NIL, revshare, and it’s not done changing,” Whittingham said.
Looking ahead, he predicted more changes in the next three to five years.
“I think there’s going to be significantly more change, heading towards an NFL minor league type of model. That’s just my own personal opinion,” Whittingham said.
Whittingham concluded, “I’ve been through the cycle 21 times now, and I feel like I’m completely equipped to take over this position here.”
Appeal to Michigan
When asked what made Michigan appealing, Whittingham said, “Michigan. That says it all. It’s one of the most storied programs in all of college football. Definitely a top-five job in the country.”
His immediate priority is roster retention.
“Transfer portal opens in about five days. That is absolutely job one — to get in front of these young men, tell them what I’m all about, find out what they’re all about,” Whittingham said.
Whittingham met the team on Dec. 27, 2025, and described them as “a great group of young men, eager and excited to have a head coach named.”
Play style
On the style of team he wants to build, Whittingham said, “Physicality will be our calling card. We were the most physical team in the league at Utah. I believe in running the football and defending the run.”
Whittingham shared a childhood memory of watching Michigan football.
“When I was seven years old, I saw head coach Bo Schembechler and those winged helmets come out of the tunnel vs. Ohio State. I was hooked."
Assembling staff
Regarding assembling his coaching staff, Whittingham emphasized the importance of bringing in coaches he knows and trusts. “You’ve got to bring in guys that you’re familiar with, and you’ve worked with. I think that’s always a starting point.”
Whittingham spoke openly about his relationship with former Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer.
“Urban and me are very tight. I got some counsel from him. He’s been a few places,” Whittingham said.
Whittingham said the key is to hire coaches who do things his way and understand his expectations.
At the same time, he is open to retaining some current Michigan coaches.
“There’s some excellent coaches on the staff right now. Most likely there will be a few faces that stay on and help bridge that.”
Whittingham explained the value of holdover coaches in easing transitions.
“It’s much easier in the staff room and meetings to have a guy right there who’s done it, been there, done that. That’s a big help,” Whittingham said.
Whittingham anticipates his staff will consist of about seven or eight new coaches and two or three holdovers.
Retaining players
Whittingham described his approach to retaining players through individual conversations.
“Just make sure that we’re on the same page. They know what my expectations are, and I make sure to tell them,” Whittingham said.
Whittingham said the team addressed expectations in a recent meeting.
“We addressed that in the team meeting last night — what I expect from them and what they can expect from me,” Whittingham said.
Whittingham stressed the importance of building good rapport with players.
“One of my strengths is being able to have good relationships with the players, and to this day, that’s probably the most rewarding part of coaching football — the relationships with the players and the coaches. That is the bottom line,” Whittingham said.
Reflecting on his career, Whittingham noted the strong connections he’s maintained.
“When I stepped down, I had close to a thousand texts, most from former players thanking me, and me thanking them,” Whittingham said.
Midwest
Whittingham responded to questions about whether Michigan needed to hire a Midwest coach.
“There is some truth to that in a way,” Whittingham said, “but Michigan is going to cast a wide net recruiting coast to coast.”
He highlighted his extensive contacts across the country, especially out West, Florida, and Texas.
“We’re going to have some coaches on the staff that have worked in the ACC and out this way in the Midwest.”
Whittingham believes geographic origin may be overrated in coaching.
“I think that might be overrated a little bit as far as geographically where you come from,” Whittingham said.
He emphasized that Michigan will recruit top athletes from all over the country.
“A school like Michigan is going to recruit top athletes from East Coast to West Coast. So we got to be able to do it all,” Whittingham said.
Regarding Ohio State, Whittingham acknowledged their talent and playoff status.
“I think they got a good football team. They’re in the playoffs, obviously, and they’re very talented,” Whittingham.
Culture
On culture, he emphasized family and team unity.
“Coaches love the players, players love each other. If we get that done, we’re halfway home,” Whittingham said.
He acknowledged challenges with roster turnover in modern college football but said Michigan’s retention is strong.
“The players here set the standard for newcomers. You will become us. We will not become you,” Whittingham said.
High expectations
Whittingham set high expectations.
“Michigan is playoffs. That’s the bar. A 10-win season usually gets you there,” Whittingham said.
He expressed respect for Ohio State but said, “Now I’m on the right side of the deal.”
Bowl game/Underwood
Whittingham said he plans to “stay out of the way” during the Citrus Bowl.
“These guys have been coaching these players the whole season,” Whittingham said.
Whittingham expressed excitement about observing the game and starting individual meetings with players.
“I already met with one player. You can probably guess who that was: our quarterback, Bryce Underwood. That was a great conversation. Spent about 45 minutes with him this morning."
Whittingham described the 45-minute conversation with Underwood.
“I did a lot of listening. I wanted to get feedback from him and get to know him — everything from growing up, family, what’s important to him,” Whittingham said.
He called Underwood “a special young man” who “carries himself the right way.”
Whittingham emphasized the importance of the “IT factor” in a quarterback.
“Bryce has the IT factor along with a ton of talent. He’s a big, strong kid — 6-foot-4, 225-plus pounds,” Whittingham said.
He said Underwood’s potential is very high. “His ceiling is very high.”
Whittingham is optimistic about the offense they will implement.
“The offense we’re going to bring in here, I think, is going to suit him to a tee. I think he’s going to really excel and have a great experience here,” Whittingham said.
Whittingham is also connecting with the 2026 recruiting class by phone to help them feel comfortable joining the program.
During the game, he plans to be “up in the box, out of the way from the coaching staff.”
He also met with the current coaching staff and was candid about the realities of coaching.
“What really sucks is you can win nine games, possibly 10, and be out of a job. That’s just the reality of the profession. It’s unfortunate, but that’s the reality,” Whittingham said.
In-state recruiting
Whittingham highlighted the importance of in-state recruiting for Michigan football.
“You always want to take care of your own backyard. There’s no doubt about that,” Whittingham said.
Whittingham said the program will prioritize building strong relationships with high school coaches across Michigan.
“We’ve got to start developing relationships with the high school coaches and make sure we get some good relationships going with them and the staff,” Whittingham said.
Whittingham plans to allocate significant resources to thoroughly cover the state.
“We’ll put a lot of manpower in the state of Michigan. We’ll divide the state up and get plenty of coverage,” Whittingham said.
He emphasized the goal of not missing any talent in Michigan.
“That’s really the key — to make sure we don’t miss anybody in the state and take care of that job one, then branch out from there,” Whittingham said.
Tony Alford
Whittingham spoke highly of running back coach Tony Alford, calling him “one of the best running back coaches in the nation.”
He expressed hope to retain Alford on the Michigan staff.
“Hopefully, he’s somebody you will be able to retain or try to think about retaining,” Whittingham said.
Whittingham reflected on his connection to the Alford family.
“I was blessed to have Tony’s brother, Aaron Alford, at Utah before he passed away. I know the Alford family. Great family. I got a ton of respect for Tony,” Whittingham said.
Whittingham concluded, “We’ll see how things work out in that direction.”
Hobbies
Whittingham also shared a lighter side, discussing his hobbies.
“I’m a big avid golfer. I love golf, love to ski, and ride motorcycles. I do it all. I keep busy,” Whittingham said.
He joked about adjusting his golf game for elevation changes.
“Ten yards a club, I think, per club. I’ve already got that calculated. I’m a 12-13 handicap, so it’s not like I know exactly where I’m hitting it every time,” Whittingham said.
Current challenges
Regarding Michigan’s current challenges with an interim university president and ongoing investigations, Whittingham said, “I didn’t have any hesitation. The players are rock solid and not involved in those issues.”
He acknowledged the need for a cultural reset but said his focus is on the players.
“I’m a football coach. I focus on coaching the team. Everything else will be handled in due time,” Whittingham said.