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Tag: Kyle Whittingham

  • Bryce Underwood and Michigan Debut in 2026 Way-Too-Early Top 25

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    The 2025 season barely wrapped up, and the confetti from Indiana’s impressive 27–21 win over Miami in the College Football Playoff National Championship is still being swept off the field, but that hasn’t stopped the early crowd from looking ahead.

    On Tuesday, The Athletic dropped its annual “Way-Too-Early” Top 25 for the 2026 college football season, and the Michigan Wolverines found themselves sitting at No. 14.

    Not bad. Not elite. But very much in the “dangerous if things click” tier.

    Stewart Mandel’s early projection sees Michigan as a solid type of team with plenty of talent, some big questions, and a whole lot riding on the development of one very important player.

    The Bryce Underwood Factor

    All eyes start with quarterback Bryce Underwood.

    The former five-star phenom had a freshman season that didn’t quite live up to the massive hype, but help is on the way. Michigan’s offensive staff now includes head coach Kyle Whittingham and offensive coordinator Jason Beck, the same duo that helped turn Utah quarterback Devon Dampier into a star.

    The hope in Ann Arbor is pretty simple: more structure, more development, and a much more comfortable Underwood in Year 2.

    If that happens, the ceiling of this team changes quickly.

    A Backfield That Can Carry the Load

    Even if the passing game is still a work in progress, Michigan should once again be able to lean on a strong running attack.

    Jordan Marshall returns as the headliner, and Mandel believes the Wolverines will once again be built around physical, downhill football. That formula has served Michigan well for years, and there’s no reason to think it’s going away in 2026.

    Defense: New Faces, Big Opportunity

    The biggest concern comes in the front seven.

    Michigan loses a lot of experience up front, which means young players are going to be asked to grow up fast. The good news? Help is coming via the transfer portal, most notably defensive end John Henry Daley from Utah, who led the Utes with 11.5 sacks.

    If Daley can be a plug-and-play pass rusher and a couple of young linemen take a leap, the defense could stabilize quickly.

    The secondary, meanwhile, has a chance to be a real strength. With corners like Jyaire Hill and Zeke Berry returning, plus Utah transfer Smith Snowden, Michigan could quietly field one of the better defensive back groups in the Big Ten.

    The Big Picture

    A No. 14 ranking in a “way-too-early” poll isn’t something to hang banners over, but it does reflect a belief that Michigan isn’t going anywhere.

    There’s quarterback talent.
    There’s a proven running game.
    There’s transfer help on both sides of the ball.

    And most importantly, there’s upside.

    If Bryce Underwood takes the expected sophomore jump and the new-look defense finds its footing, the Wolverines won’t just be a preseason Top 15 curiosity — they’ll be a legitimate factor in the 2026 playoff conversation.

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    Jeff Bilbrey

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  • Michigan Football Makes Home Run Offensive Line Coach Hire

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    Michigan football’s staff makeover under new head coach Kyle Whittingham continues, and this time, the Wolverines are adding one of the most respected offensive line developers in college football.

    A report from Pete Nakos indicates that Utah offensive line coach and assistant head coach Jim Harding is set to join Michigan’s staff in the same roles ahead of the 2025 season. Harding has spent more than a decade anchoring Utah’s trenches and helping build one of the nation’s most physical offenses.

    Importantly, Harding also brings deep Michigan roots to Ann Arbor, he is the former head football coach at Troy High School (Mich.), where he led the program in 2008 after three seasons as the school’s defensive coordinator.

    A Proven Track Record of Elite Offensive Line Play

    Heading into the 2025 season, Harding entered his 12th season at Utah, where his offensive lines have consistently ranked among the best in the country. He has coached:

    • Nine first-team All-Pac-12 or All-Big-12 selections
    • Six NFL Draft picks
    • Multiple Morris Trophy winners (awarded to the league’s top offensive lineman)

    His list of standout linemen includes Garett Bolles, Braeden Daniels, Sataoa Laumea, Nick Ford, Spencer Fano, and Caleb Lomu, among others. Utah also produced one of the nation’s top rushing attacks during his tenure, blocking for eight 1,000-yard rushers over the last 11 seasons.

    Harding has served not only as offensive line coach, but also:

    • Utah Assistant Head Coach (since 2017)
    • Co-Offensive Coordinator (2015–16)

    Before arriving in Salt Lake City, Harding coached at Wyoming, Missouri, and Troy High School, and was a four-year starting offensive tackle at Toledo.

    Why This Hire Matters for Michigan

    Whittingham is clearly intent on rebuilding Michigan’s identity through toughness and trench dominance — something Harding has specialized in throughout his career.

    Under Harding, Utah:

    • Ranked elite nationally in yards per rush and sacks allowed
    • Produced multiple NFL-ready linemen
    • Maintained a consistently physical offensive culture

    Now, he’ll be tasked with helping Michigan maintain its tradition of offensive line excellence while also mentoring the program under Whittingham as assistant head coach.

    Harding’s combination of Big Ten ties, high-level production, and leadership experience makes him one of the most impactful hires yet in Michigan’s rapidly-forming staff.

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    Don Drysdale

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  • Biff Poggi Shares Honest Thoughts on Michigan’s New Coach Kyle Whittingham

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    Biff Poggi wanted the Michigan job; he didn’t hide that. But even though the Wolverines chose Kyle Whittingham instead, Poggi isn’t bitter. In fact, he sounds genuinely thrilled about the direction Michigan football is heading.

    Speaking with reporters ahead of Michigan’s Citrus Bowl showdown with Texas in Orlando, Poggi didn’t hesitate when asked what he thought of the hire.

    “Oh, I think he’s a perfect fit. I think it’s a great, great hire,” Poggi said via the Detroit Free Press, praising Whittingham’s presence, demeanor, and message to the team. Poggi added that Michigan’s players have already responded well to their new coach, and that says a lot.

    “He’s very likable, by the way. I like him. The kids are real excited about him. I think all his fans are really excited about him, and I think he’s going to be just what the doctor ordered.”

    That’s an especially meaningful endorsement coming from Poggi, who just a week earlier described the Michigan program as a “malfunctioning organization.” In his eyes, Whittingham is the steady hand, and grown-up voice, the program needed.

    “He talked about his expectations starting in January: discipline, toughness, doing the right thing,” Poggi explained. “He’s actually older than I am, and that’s what I think we might need around here, a little bit of adult supervision and getting everybody back to doing what you’re supposed to do.”

    That line in particular felt like classic Poggi, honest, blunt, and maybe a little tongue-in-cheek. But the respect is real. He compared Whittingham’s style to the foundation Michigan was built on decades ago.

    “He’s a back-to-the-glory-days type of Michigan football coach,” Poggi said, leaning into the program’s blue-collar roots of physicality and grit.

    And even though Poggi himself is 2–0 as Michigan’s interim head coach this season, he made it clear he’s not about to offer Whittingham unsolicited advice.

    “No, I don’t have any advice to give a guy who’s won 180-some football games,” Poggi joked. “That’d be like me giving Dr. Ben Carson advice on how to do brain surgery.”

    So yeah, if anyone was looking for tension or awkwardness here, it doesn’t exist.

    Instead, you have a respected program leader giving a full-throated endorsement of Michigan’s new direction… and maybe even sounding a little relieved that someone with Whittingham’s track record is taking the wheel.

    And if Poggi’s reaction is any indication?

    Michigan’s locker room is buying in — fast.

    Go Blue.

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    Don Drysdale

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  • Kyle Whittingham Talks Bryce Underwood, Recruiting, and Identity at Michigan During Introductory Presser

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    Kyle Whittingham’s introductory press conference as Michigan’s new head coach didn’t feel like a show or a performance, and that was exactly the point. Instead of trying to “win the room,” Whittingham spoke with the same steady confidence and authenticity that defined his career at Utah, laying out a vision built on toughness, player-driven culture, and recruiting retention.

    And if there was one theme that carried through every answer, it was simple:

    Michigan Football will be about physicality, toughness, and grit.

    “Physicality will be our calling card,” Whittingham said. “I believe in running the football. I believe in physicality, toughness, and grit.”

    Whittingham made it clear that he isn’t arriving in Ann Arbor to mold Michigan into something new; he’s here to strengthen what already exists.

    “You will become us — we won’t become you.”

    That line resonated immediately with the fanbase and media alike. Whittingham isn’t trying to posture or sell slogans. He’s here to build a program identity around the players already in the building.

    Players First — and Retention Comes Before Anything Else

    Whittingham repeatedly emphasized that “Job 1” is connecting with current players and strengthening relationships.

    “My culture is going to be with the players. I know the gist of what transpired, but it’s not phasing me. The players are a great group of kids. They’re hungry, and that’s where my focus is. I’m a football coach, and my focus is on coaching the team.”

    He met with quarterback Bryce Underwood for 45 minutes, calling him a “special young man” with the it factor.

    “A quarterback’s got to have an ‘it’ factor — and he’s got it.”

    Whittingham also said the offensive system being installed will fit Underwood “to a tee.”

    From there, Whittingham reinforced that recruiting retention is priority #1, followed by staff structure and scheme.

    Staff Outlook: Familiarity With Some New Faces

    Whittingham expects to bring in 7–8 new assistants, while also retaining 2–3 coaches from Sherrone Moore’s staff.

    He also wants a staff with recruiting reach nationwide.

    “At Michigan, you have to recruit coast to coast.”

    Michigan fans didn’t hear buzzwords or empty promises. Instead, Whittingham spoke with conviction about who he is and the identity he plans to stamp on this roster.

    “College football is all about the players. If you’ve got good players, you’ve got a chance.”

    He also shared that stepping away at Utah didn’t mean he was done coaching, just that he was waiting for the right opportunity.

    “I knew I had a lot left in the tank. I could count on one hand the number of jobs I would have said yes to — and Michigan was one of them.”

    A Childhood Connection to The Game

    In one of the most human moments of the presser, Whittingham recalled watching Michigan-Ohio State alone as a 7-year-old, saying that moment is what sparked his lifelong love of football.

    It was a reminder: for Whittingham, this isn’t just a job, it’s full-circle.

    On Ohio State — and a Little Humor

    When asked if he dislikes Ohio State now?

    “I do now.”

    Michigan fans approve.

    Guidance from Urban Meyer — But a Michigan Focus

    Whittingham acknowledged former Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer as a coaching influence, but made it clear he is his own man.

    “I don’t know if Urban is a four-letter word around here.”

    The room laughed, but the message stood:

    Whittingham isn’t here to be anyone else.

    Final Takeaway

    Kyle Whittingham didn’t try to impress anyone at his introductory press conference.

    He didn’t sell hype.

    He sold substance.

    Players first.
    Physicality as the identity.
    Recruit, retain, and build toughness.

    Michigan didn’t hire a headline.

    They hired a football coach, and Whittingham made sure everyone knew it.

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    Don Drysdale

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  • Michigan hires Utah coach Kyle Whittingham to replace Sherrone Moore

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    (Photo credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images)

    Michigan officially hired Utah coach Kyle Whittingham on Friday to guide its recent national-championship-winning program out of a period marked by scandal.

    Whittingham signed a five-year contract covering the 2026 through 2030 seasons that, according to ESPN, will be worth $41 million (an annual average of $8.2 million) and will be 75% guaranteed.

    ‘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. ‘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.’

    According to Yahoo and ESPN reports, Whittingham informed the Utes that he would not coach them in the Las Vegas Bowl on New Year’s Eve against Nebraska, which was set to be his farewell appearance with the program. He was said to be traveling to Orlando to meet with the Wolverines, where they are preparing for next week’s Citrus Bowl against Texas.

    Whittingham, 66, announced earlier this month that he is stepping down after 21 seasons as the Utes’ head coach. He led Utah to a 177-88 record over his tenure to become the school’s all-time winningest coach.

    Morgan Scalley, already named Whittingham’s successor, will coach Utah in the bowl game.

    Whittingham earned one Mountain West Conference Coach of the Year award (2008), two Pac-12 Coach of the Year honors in 2019 and 2021 and was national Coach of the Year in 2008 after leading Utah to a 13-0 mark and Sugar Bowl victory over Alabama to finish with a No. 2 ranking.

    Michigan fired head coach Sherrone Moore with cause on Dec. 10 for having an extramarital relationship with a subordinate in the football program.

    Whittingham has run a scandal-free program at Utah, making him a potential breath of fresh air after the recent turbulence in Ann Arbor with Moore’s dismissal and NCAA investigations and sanctions for a sign-stealing scheme under previous head coach Jim Harbaugh.

    ‘Kyle Whittingham is a well-respected and highly successful head coach who is widely recognized as a leader of exceptional character and principled leadership,’ Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel said 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.

    ‘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.’

    University president Domenico Grasso added in a statement that Whittingham will bring ‘dignity, integrity and fierce competitiveness to the program’ and his ‘strong emphasis’ on academics helps make him ‘exactly the right fit for the University of Michigan at this time.’

    Before the hire was official, Wolverines interim head coach Biff Poggi weighed in on Whittingham in a social media post.

    ‘Michigan Football is in GREAT hands under Kyle Whittingham!!!!’ Poggi wrote. ‘Proven winner, true gentleman, tough nosed Michigan coach of days gone by. Great hire by Warde Manuel. The kids will love him. Exciting days ahead for Michigan.’

    Poggi will lead the No. 18 Wolverines (9-3) against No. 13 Texas (9-3) in the Citrus Bowl on New Year’s Eve.

    –Field Level Media

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  • Michigan Football: Kyle Whittingham Contract Details Revealed After New Hire

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    Michigan Football’s coaching search saga officially has its long-term anchor, and now, the contract details are coming into focus. According to Tony Garcia of the Detroit Free Press, Michigan and new head coach Kyle Whittingham have agreed to a five-year deal, marking one of the most significant coaching hires in the modern Big Ten era.

    Further reporting from ESPN’s Pete Thamel adds key structure to the agreement:
    Whittingham’s contract is 75% guaranteed, ensuring both financial stability and program continuity as Michigan transitions into its next competitive chapter.

    This move signals Michigan’s commitment to a proven culture-builder, a coach who spent over two decades elevating Utah into a nationally respected, physically dominant program. Now, that blueprint shifts to Ann Arbor.

    Kyle Whittingham Salary at Michigan

    Per Thamel’s report, the contract carries an average annual value (AAV) of $8.2 million across the five-year term. Whittingham is expected to earn $8 million in salary in 2026, with compensation expected to scale over the life of the deal through standard performance incentives, postseason benchmarks, and retention bonuses.

    While full financial breakdowns, such as buyout structure, escalators, and external bonuses, have not yet been publicly disclosed, the guaranteed percentage signals Michigan’s intent to invest heavily in program stability following recent coaching turbulence.

    This type of package places Whittingham solidly among the upper tier of Big Ten coaching salaries, aligning Michigan with the financial arms race that has reshaped major-conference football.

    Why Michigan Made This Move

    Michigan’s leadership prioritized three traits in this hire:

    • Stability & cultural alignment
    • Proven personnel development & physical identity
    • Experience managing program transitions

    Whittingham checks every box.

    His Utah tenure produced:

    • Consistent Top-25 seasons
    • Multiple conference titles
    • An elite player-development pipeline
    • A reputation for discipline, toughness, and longevity

    Michigan is betting those values translate seamlessly, particularly as the program prepares for an expanded playoff landscape and a deeper, more competitive Big Ten structure.

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    Don Drysdale

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  • Who Won the Coaching Battle — Michigan State with Pat Fitzgerald or Michigan with Kyle Whittingham?

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    The state of Michigan just turned into the center of the college-football coaching universe as Michigan State and Michigan have hired two of the most accomplished program-builders in the sport: Pat Fitzgerald and Kyle Whittingham. Now the debate is officially on — which school made the better hire?

    On paper, both programs landed culture-driven, no-nonsense leaders with résumés most athletic directors would sprint to sign. But the fit, timing, and ceiling of each move tell two very different stories.

    Pat Fitzgerald to Michigan State — Culture Play or Ceiling Play?

    Pat Fitzgerald’s reputation is built on toughness, discipline, and squeezing every drop of potential out of his roster. At Northwestern, he turned a historically bottom-tier Big Ten program into a team that went to multiple conference championship games and regularly punched above its weight.

    That track record matters, especially for a rebuilding Michigan State team that’s been searching for stability since the Mark Dantonio era ended.

    Pros of the Fitzgerald hire:

    • Proven ability to build programs from the ground up
    • Strong defensive identity
    • Player development over star-hunting
    • Thrives in underdog environments

    But there’s a fair question: How high is the ceiling?

    Fitzgerald’s success has often been tied to overachieving rather than dominating. Michigan State believes it can be more than scrappy; it wants to return to relevance on the national stage. Whether Fitzgerald can take a roster full of blue-chip talent and elevate it instead of simply maximizing it remains to be seen.

    This feels like a stability hire first, contender-level gamble second.

    Kyle Whittingham to Michigan — A Win-Now Statement

    Michigan, meanwhile, went for experience, maturity, and big-game credibility with Kyle Whittingham. At Utah, he built one of the most consistently respected programs in the country, winning conference titles, developing NFL talent, and earning a reputation as a master of preparation.

    He’s coached physical football. He’s handled high-pressure environments. He’s built sustainable cultures.

    Pros of the Whittingham hire:

    • Consistent winner against top competition
    • Elite developer of defensive front-seven talent
    • Strong identity fit with Michigan’s physical brand
    • Veteran leadership for a roster still built to compete now

    If Michigan’s goal was to avoid a risky “up-and-comer” and instead land a coach who could keep the program steady near the top of the Big Ten, mission accomplished.

    The only lingering question? How long will he coach. Whittingham is an older hire, which suggests Michigan prioritized continuity and championship-level readiness right now, not a decade-long project.

    This is a win-window move, not a rebuild move.

    So… Who Made the Better Hire?

    It depends on the lens.

    If the question is “Who’s more likely to win immediately?” — the answer is Michigan with Whittingham.
    He steps into a roster built to compete and brings a proven formula for doing exactly that.

    If the question is “Who hired the better long-term builder?” — Michigan State has a case with Fitzgerald.
    He’s rebuilt before, embraces the grind, and feels aligned with MSU’s need for structure and identity.

    In reality, both schools hired coaches that match where they are right now.

    • Michigan went for experience, stability, and championship-ready leadership.
    • Michigan State went for grit, toughness, and a long-term cultural reset.

    And that might be the rare scenario where two rivals both got exactly what they needed, at the same time.

    With all of that said, who do YOU think is the better hire? Pat Fitzgerald or Kyle Whittingham?

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    Don Drysdale

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  • Michigan Agrees to Multi-Year Deal With Kyle Whittingham

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    Michigan’s coaching search has reached its conclusion, and it ends with one of the most respected program-builders in college football.

    Multiple reports indicate that Kyle Whittingham has agreed to a five-year deal to become the next head coach of the Michigan Wolverines, with an official announcement expected later today. Financial terms of the agreement have not yet been released.

    Whittingham, who led Utah for more than two decades, brings a résumé built on sustained winning, player development, and cultural stability. During his 21-year run with the Utes, he compiled a 177–88 record, guided the program through its transition to the Pac-12, and delivered multiple conference titles and New Year’s Six appearances. His teams became known for physical defense, disciplined play, and consistency, trademarks Michigan hopes will steady the program after a turbulent end to the Sherrone Moore era.

    Michigan officials are believed to have prioritized experience, structure, and leadership in this hire, and Whittingham checks every one of those boxes. Sources indicate his focus will immediately shift toward meeting players, stabilizing the roster, and preparing for the fast-approaching transfer-portal window.

    The move also signals the Wolverines’ intent to return to the tough, veteran-minded identity that fueled their late-Harbaugh-era success, one rooted in development, toughness, and long-term competitiveness.

    More details, including contract financials and staff structure, are expected to emerge following the formal announcement.

    Michigan has its coach. Now the next chapter begins in Ann Arbor.

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    Don Drysdale

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  • When Michigan Is Expected To Finalize Deal With Kyle Whittingham

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    Michigan’s coaching search appears to be entering its final stretch, and the Wolverines may be on the verge of landing one of the most respected program-builders in college football.

    According to a new report from Dan Wetzel and Pete Thamel, Michigan and Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham are continuing to progress toward a deal, with finalization expected as soon as today if all sides agree.

    Sources indicated that Michigan officials remain highly confident in Whittingham’s leadership profile, experience, sustained winning, player development, and program culture, all traits the Wolverines have prioritized since the dismissal of Sherrone Moore earlier this month.

    Next Decision: Will Whittingham Coach Utah in the Bowl Game?

    If the agreement is finalized, the next major decision will come quickly: whether Whittingham remains on Utah’s sideline for the Las Vegas Bowl on Dec. 31.

    Discussions around that choice are expected shortly after the deal is completed.

    Regardless of the outcome, the sense around the program is that Whittingham’s immediate attention would shift to meeting with the current Michigan roster, particularly with the transfer portal window opening January 2. Retention, NIL alignment, and roster stability are expected to be Day 1 priorities.

    A Veteran Head Coach With a Track Record of Stability

    Whittingham’s résumé continues to be the central selling point in Ann Arbor.

    • 21 seasons at Utah
    • 177 career wins
    • Two Pac-12 titles
    • 2008 undefeated season
    • Widely viewed as a future College Football Hall of Famer

    Michigan believes his steady, disciplined leadership could provide stability during a turbulent transition period while maintaining the competitive standard set in recent years.

    Why Michigan Views Him as the Right Fit

    Program insiders have emphasized three factors:

    1. Culture Over Flash — Michigan wants a CEO-style leader who values structure and consistency.
    2. Proven Winning Formula — Whittingham has rebuilt teams, adjusted eras, and consistently maximized talent.
    3. Alignment With Michigan’s Identity — Physical football, development, and emotional maturity — themes that echo the Harbaugh era.

    For a roster facing offseason uncertainty, his presence could offer instant credibility.

    Where Things Stand Now

    Negotiations are described as “inches away rather than miles,” though nothing is official yet.

    If finalized today, the Wolverines would move swiftly to:

    • Introduce Whittingham to players and staff
    • Organize recruiting and portal meetings
    • Begin assembling an adapted support and coaching structure

    Michigan’s goal is to stabilize the program before the calendar flips to 2026 — and all indications suggest they believe Whittingham is the coach to do it.

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    Don Drysdale

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  • Report: Michigan Football Exploring Bold Coaching Option from the NFL

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    Michigan’s coaching search continues to expand, and it’s becoming increasingly clear the Wolverines are casting a wide, deliberate net as they look for their next head coach.

    More than two weeks after parting ways with Sherrone Moore, Michigan is still in evaluation mode. New names are surfacing, timelines are becoming clearer, and the picture suggests this process is far from rushed.

    According to Pete Thamel, speaking Wednesday on Get Up, Michigan is not expected to make a coaching hire before Christmas or right afterward.

    That report aligns with how the search has unfolded so far. Michigan appears focused on thorough vetting, not quick optics, even as the college football calendar keeps moving.

    Thamel also identified three coaches currently viewed as prime candidates:

    • Eli Drinkwitz (Missouri)
    • Jedd Fisch (Washington)
    • Kyle Whittingham, who recently announced he’s stepping away from Utah

    Those names signal Michigan’s interest in proven program builders, not developmental gambles.

    Todd Monken Now Being Vetted by Michigan

    While college head coaches headline the early reports, Michigan is also exploring NFL options, and one prominent name has entered the mix.

    According to Football Scoop, Michigan has begun vetting Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken and is expected to speak with him. Monken, currently in his third season under Ravens head coach John Harbaugh, brings a rare blend of NFL innovation and deep college experience.

    The 59-year-old Monken has extensive Midwest ties, including early coaching stops at Grand Valley State and Eastern Michigan, along with major roles at Oklahoma State, LSU, Georgia, and as head coach at Southern Miss.

    Monken has openly expressed a desire to return to the head-coaching ranks, having interviewed for NFL head-coaching jobs last offseason before signing a contract extension with Baltimore in February.

    Why Monken Fits the Michigan Profile

    Monken checks several boxes Michigan appears to value:

    • Extensive college head-coaching experience
    • Proven quarterback and offensive development
    • Familiarity with Big Ten–style football
    • Experience managing elite talent and high expectations

    While NFL coordinators don’t always translate smoothly back to the college game, Monken’s resume is unusually well-suited for that transition, especially at a program navigating NIL, transfer portal churn, and schematic evolution.

    Interim HC Biff Poggi Already Fielding Interviews

    As Michigan continues its search, its interim head coach is not waiting around.

    Biff Poggi has acknowledged that he has already participated in multiple head-coaching interviews elsewhere. That development adds another layer of urgency behind the scenes, even if Michigan itself is staying patient.

    It also reinforces why the university wants clarity, not just for the roster and recruiting, but for staff continuity moving forward.

    A Search Focused on Fit, Not Speed

    Taken together, the picture is clear:

    • Michigan is not rushing a hire
    • College head coaches remain the primary focus
    • NFL experience is being seriously explored
    • The final decision likely comes after the holidays

    Whether the Wolverines land a sitting Power Five head coach or pivot toward an NFL-tested offensive mind like Monken, the goal is the same: stability, credibility, and long-term direction.

    Michigan knows this hire will define its next chapter. And everything about this search suggests they intend to get it right.

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    Don Drysdale

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