Kyle Whittingham agrees to 5-year deal to coach Michigan

By LARRY LAGE AP Sports Writer

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Michigan hired Kyle Whittingham as its football coach on Friday night, giving the longtime Utah coach a five-year contract to replace the fired and disgraced Sherrone Moore.

“Kyle Whittingham is a well-respected and highly successful head coach who is widely recognized as a leader of exceptional character and principled leadership,” Athletic Director Warde Manuel in a statement. “Throughout our search, he consistently demonstrated the qualities we value at Michigan: vision, resilience, and the ability to build and sustain championship-caliber teams.”

Whittingham’s deal at Michigan averages $8.2 million per year over the course of the contract, ESPN reported. The deal is reportedly 75% guaranteed, and he is expected to make $8 million in salary in 2026.

The 66-year-old Whittingham announced two weeks ago that he would step down after 21 seasons at Utah. Morgan Scalley was promoted from defensive coordinator to replace Whittingham, who has won a school-record 177 games.

Whittingham did not characterize his departure from Utah as a retirement, and he wasn’t out of work for long.

“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,” Whittingham said in a statement.

The 15th-ranked Utes will play Nebraska in the Las Vegas Bowl next week (Dec. 31) – now with Scalley as their coach.

After talking with Utah players in Las Vegas on Friday, Whittingham was reportedly set to fly to Orlando and get to work as Michigan’s head coach. The Wolverines face Texas in the Citrus Bowl on New Year’s Eve.

It was considered paramount for Michigan that Whittingham get to Florida to meet with his new team, and the players’ family members, to get going on his new job, ESPN reported.

“After discussions with Coach Whittingham, his representatives and the University of Michigan, we have granted their request to allow him to join the Michigan program immediately,” Utah athletic director Mark Harlan said.

Moore was fired on Dec. 10, when the school said an investigation uncovered his inappropriate relationship with a staffer. Two days later, Moore was charged with three crimes after prosecutors said he “barged his way” into the apartment of a woman he had been having an affair with and threatened to kill himself.

Michigan was hoping to hire a coach this month, helping its chances of retaining recruits and keeping key players, including quarterback Bryce Underwood, out of the transfer portal.

“Michigan Football is in GREAT hands under Kyle Whittingham !!!!” Michigan interim coach Biff Poggi posted on X. “Proven winner, true gentleman, tough nosed Michigan coach of days gone by.”

Whittingham had been Utah’s coach since December 2004 and a member of the Utes’ staff since 1994. He has a 177-88 (.668) record over 21 seasons. Utah finished with 18 winning seasons under Whittingham and won at least 10 games eight times.

Whittingham twice helped Utah navigate conference changes. The Utes moved from the Mountain West to the Pac-12 in 2011 and then departed the Pac-12 for the Big 12 in 2024.

Utah found success following both moves. Whittingham led the Utes to back-to-back Pac-12 championships and Rose Bowl appearances in 2021 and 2022. Then, after a 5-7 campaign in its first Big 12 season, Utah went 10-2 this season and finished in a tie for third place in the league.

Utah capped an undefeated season in 2008 with a victory over Alabama in the Sugar Bowl.

Whittingham won three national coach of the year awards, including the AFCA and Bear Bryant awards in 2008 and the Dodd Trophy in 2019.

Whittingham was a linebacker at BYU under LaVell Edwards from 1978 to 1981.

“Utah will always hold a special place in my heart,” Whittingham said in a statement released by the Utes, “and I wish coach Scalley and the program a smooth transition and continued success moving forward.”