ORLANDO, Fla. — Kyle Whittingham has officially taken over as the 22nd head coach in Michigan football history. The announcement came during a press conference on December 10, 2023, where Whittingham, previously the head coach at the University of Utah for over two decades, expressed excitement about his new role.
Despite operating on only four hours of sleep, the 66-year-old Whittingham captivated the audience with his candid remarks. He humorously noted, “I am one of those rare college football coaches that doesn’t like to hear himself talk.” Yet, he quickly won over the crowd, particularly when he admitted to now holding a grudge against Ohio State, a sentiment that drew laughter. Reflecting on his past friendships, he remarked on his bond with former Utah and Ohio State coach Urban Meyer, stating, “I do now… I am on the right side now.”
Whittingham’s connection to Orlando runs deep, as he played for BYU in the 1985 Florida Citrus Bowl, a game that ended in a narrow loss to Ohio State. When asked about his decision to leave Utah after 21 seasons, where he achieved 17 winning seasons, he explained, “I stepped down a couple weeks ago… I knew there was a lot left in the tank. You could count on one hand the number of schools that I would be receptive to. Michigan was one of those schools.” He added that the opportunity to coach Michigan, which he described as “definitely a top-5 job in the country,” was too appealing to pass up.
Whittingham arrived in Orlando the night before, meeting with the Michigan team ahead of their Citrus Bowl matchup against Texas. He followed the BYU-Georgia Tech game during his flight, celebrating BYU’s victory. As speculation surrounds potential staff changes, reports indicate that BYU defensive coordinator Jay Hill is likely to join Whittingham at Michigan, along with Utah offensive coordinator Jason Beck.
During the press conference, Whittingham emphasized the importance of assembling a strong coaching staff. He noted, “Putting together an outstanding staff. Can’t give you any names right now,” while acknowledging that he is finalizing plans in the coming days. He aims for his staff to include seven to eight newcomers alongside two to three holdovers from the previous administration.
The conversation also touched on player recruitment from BYU and Utah. Whittingham made it clear that he does not engage in tampering but is open to players entering the transfer portal. “If a player that we have interest in enters the portal, that is a whole different ball game… So why not Michigan, if it is a good fit?”
Reflecting on his time at Utah, Whittingham affirmed that he felt well-treated by the administration throughout his tenure. “The community treated me nothing but good… It was just an enjoyable ride in Salt Lake City,” he remarked. He also acknowledged his contemplation of retirement prior to the previous season but decided to return to ensure a better conclusion to his time there.
Whittingham’s transition from red to blue has been met with enthusiasm from his family. Accompanied by his wife, Jamie, he shared that their eleven grandchildren are already adopting Michigan gear. “What was appealing was the obvious. It is Michigan, and all that entails — the tradition, the Big House,” he said, referring to Michigan Stadium.
As Whittingham prepares for this new chapter, he remains connected to the Utah program, which he stated is in “a great place right now.” New head coach Morgan Scalley will lead the Utes in the Las Vegas Bowl against Nebraska on the same day Whittingham will be in attendance at the Citrus Bowl.
In a light-hearted moment, Whittingham mentioned that he had received over a thousand messages from former players since announcing his departure from Utah. He expressed excitement about the support from both Utah and Michigan alumni, including a message from former Heisman Trophy winner Desmond Howard.
Whittingham’s journey to Michigan was unexpected. He remarked on the “uncanny circumstances” surrounding his hiring, noting that the opportunity arose shortly after Michigan’s previous coach, Sherrone Moore, was dismissed. Reflecting on what he might have done if Michigan had not called, he quipped, “Skiing, reading books to my granddaughters, riding motorcycles.”
Now, Whittingham is ready to focus on one of college football’s biggest stages, where winning remains the primary objective. As he embarks on this new journey, his experience and passion for the game promise to shape a new era for Michigan football.
