The Michigan Wolverines are targeting Utah’s Kyle Whittingham as their next head coach.
Michigan Targeting Kyle Whittingham
NEWS: Utah coach Kyle Whittingham has emerged as the focus of the University of Michigan’s coaching search, sources tell @DanWetzel and me. More here: https://t.co/YLyEu2J2cO
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) December 26, 2025
The Wolverines are looking at a Utah legend.
Per ESPN, Whittingham has “emerged” as the focus of Michigan’s coaching search.
Michigan’s top officials will learn about Whittingham’s candidacy on Friday. If they approve, a deal could come together “in the near future.”
Whittingham stepped down as the head coach of the Utah Utes earlier this month. Whittingham, 66, has been the head coach of Utah for the last 21 seasons. He plans to coach the team one last time in the Las Vegas Bowl on December 31 against the Nebraska Cornhuskers.
Whittingham is the winningest coach in Utah history, posting a record of 177-88 (.668). In 18 of the 21 seasons under Whittingham, Utah had a winning record.
The Utes won 10 or more games eight times under Whittingham, including this season (10-2).
Utah’s best year under Whittingham came in 2008, when Utah went 13-0 and defeated Alabama in the Sugar Bowl. The Utes qualified for the Rose Bowl in 2021 and 2022 but lost both times.
When Whittingham left Utah, the statement stressed that he was “stepping down,” not retiring. Whittingham also clarified that he was not retiring, hinting at a job change in the future.
Whittingham is known for producing tough defenses and strong line play, which can translate to the Big Ten.
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Terrific reporting from @byAustinMeek, @BruceFeldmanCFB and @KatieJStrang:https://t.co/QptlGYc4oH pic.twitter.com/h4tVz6ptMT
— Chris Vannini (@ChrisVannini) December 22, 2025
The Michigan Wolverines are searching for their next head coach after the firing of Sherrone Moore on Dec. 10.
Michigan fired Moore for cause after the university found he had an inappropriate relationship with a staff member. Soon after the firing, Moore was arrested and charged with a third-degree felony for home invasions and two misdemeanors.
Interim coach Bigg Poggi will coach the Wolverines in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl on Dec. 31 against Texas.
Because it’s late in the coaching cycle, Michigan has been scrambling to hire a coach before the transfer portal opens on January 2, 2026.
Alabama’s Kalen DeBoer had been the rumored head coaching target for Michigan. However, Alabama’s advancement to the College Football Playoff quarterfinals altered the university’s pursuit of DeBoer.
Alabama plays on New Year’s Day in the Rose Bowl against Indiana. The transfer portal opens the next day. Michigan likely cannot afford to wait for DeBoer.
Had Matt Campbell not taken the Penn State job, he would have likely been a candidate for the Michigan job.
Other rumored names to coach Michigan include Washington’s Jedd Fisch and Louisville’s Jeff Brohm.
