Michigan Hires Coach Kyle Whittingham After Sherrone Moore’s Firing/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Michigan football has hired veteran coach Kyle Whittingham to lead the program, following the dismissal of Sherrone Moore over serious misconduct. Whittingham brings decades of experience and a proven winning record from Utah. His five-year contract begins immediately as Michigan looks to rebuild stability and success.
Michigan Football Coaching Change Quick Looks
- Kyle Whittingham signs five-year deal as Michigan head coach
- Replaces Sherrone Moore, fired for misconduct and criminal charges
- Whittingham brings 21 years of head coaching experience from Utah
- Won 177 games, three national coach of the year awards
- Departed Utah earlier this month but did not retire
- Michigan seeks to retain recruits and star QB Bryce Underwood
- Utah AD allows Whittingham to join Michigan immediately
- Utah promoted Morgan Scalley to head coach earlier this month
- Whittingham led Utah to two Pac-12 titles and a Sugar Bowl win
- Played college football at BYU under LaVell Edwards
Michigan Hires Coach Kyle Whittingham After Sherrone Moore’s Firing
Deep Look
ANN ARBOR, Mich. — The University of Michigan has named Kyle Whittingham as its new head football coach, officially bringing on the longtime Utah leader to stabilize a program reeling from the recent firing of Sherrone Moore. The announcement came Friday night, with Michigan confirming that Whittingham has signed a five-year contract to take over immediately.
Whittingham, 66, had announced earlier this month that he was stepping down after 21 seasons leading the Utah Utes. However, he made it clear at the time that it was not a retirement—and now, less than two weeks later, he’s taking on a new challenge at one of college football’s most storied programs.
“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.
A New Era Begins After Moore’s Scandal
Whittingham replaces Sherrone Moore, who was fired on December 10 after an internal investigation revealed an inappropriate relationship with a staff member. Just two days later, Moore was criminally charged for allegedly breaking into the apartment of a woman with whom he was having an affair and threatening self-harm. The scandal abruptly ended Moore’s brief tenure and left Michigan searching for a steady, respected leader to guide the program.
“Kyle Whittingham is a well-respected and highly successful head coach who is widely recognized as a leader of exceptional character and principled leadership,” said Athletic Director Warde Manuel. “He consistently demonstrated the qualities we value at Michigan: vision, resilience, and the ability to build and sustain championship-caliber teams.”
Whittingham’s Proven Track Record at Utah
Whittingham leaves Utah as the program’s winningest coach, amassing a 177-88 (.668) record across more than two decades. He took over the Utes in December 2004 and spent a total of 31 years on the coaching staff, including time as a defensive coordinator before ascending to the top job.
Under Whittingham’s leadership, Utah recorded 18 winning seasons, reached double-digit wins eight times, and consistently competed at a high level during multiple conference transitions—from the Mountain West to the Pac-12, and most recently, to the Big 12 in 2024.
Some of his most memorable achievements include:
- Back-to-back Pac-12 championships in 2021 and 2022
- A perfect 13-0 season capped by a Sugar Bowl win over Alabama in 2008
- A 10-2 record in 2025 despite a rough start in the Big 12 in 2024
- National Coach of the Year awards in 2008 (AFCA, Bear Bryant) and 2019 (Dodd Trophy)
Whittingham played linebacker at BYU under legendary coach LaVell Edwards from 1978 to 1981, laying the foundation for a lifetime career in coaching.
Immediate Transition and Rebuilding Michigan’s Roster
Utah’s Athletic Director Mark Harlan confirmed that Whittingham is free to join Michigan immediately, even as the Utes prepare to face Nebraska in the Las Vegas Bowl on Dec. 31. Utah’s new head coach, Morgan Scalley, previously the defensive coordinator, will now lead the team into that matchup.
“Utah will always hold a special place in my heart,” Whittingham said in a statement issued through Utah. “I wish coach Scalley and the program a smooth transition and continued success moving forward.”
For Michigan, the hiring comes at a crucial time as the program works to retain recruits and avoid roster attrition. The timing is especially important for quarterback Bryce Underwood, a highly regarded player whom the Wolverines are keen to keep from entering the transfer portal.
Whittingham’s presence is expected to bring stability and credibility to a program that has undergone rapid and chaotic changes over the past year. With a solid foundation and a history of successfully leading programs through difficult transitions, Whittingham appears well-positioned to guide Michigan through its current turbulence.
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