Kyle Whittingham to Michigan might not seem on the surface to be a grand slam hire – but when you consider where the Wolverines just were – it is at least an inside-the-park home run – in a sport where it helps to be fleet of foot.
Whittingham will reportedly sign a five-year contract soon, which marks a dramatic shift for a program seeking stability after the turbulent and scandal-ridden departure of Sherrone Moore.
Whittingham, 66, brings two decades of consistent winning at Utah (177–88) and a reputation for “old-school” toughness and integrity. Here are the pros and cons of Michigan bringing in the veteran coach to lead the Wolverines:
The Pros: Stability and Culture
- A “Mr. Clean” Image: After a season defined by Moore’s abrupt firing and subsequent legal issues, Whittingham is the ultimate “detergent.” He has 21 years of scandal-free leadership, which provides immediate credibility to a program under intense NCAA and public scrutiny.
- The “Harbaugh” DNA: Whittingham’s coaching philosophy—toughness, physical line play, and a stifling defense—perfectly mirrors the culture Jim Harbaugh built. This makes him a natural fit for the current roster and Michigan’s traditional identity.
- Big-Game Success: He is legendary for his postseason record (11–5 in bowls) and has a history of “punching up.” His 2008 undefeated season (beating Alabama in the Sugar Bowl) and back-to-back Pac-12 titles (2021, 2022) prove he can win at the highest level.
- Elite Coordinator Potential: Reports suggest Whittingham may bring his star Utah offensive coordinator, Jason Beck, whose high-scoring offense (41.1 PPG in 2025) could be the key to retaining five-star quarterback recruit Bryce Underwood.
The Cons: Age and Long-Term Viability
- The Age Factor: At 66, Whittingham is one of the oldest coaches in the sport. While his five-year deal provides a window, he is clearly a short-term “fixer” rather than a long-term solution. Michigan may find themselves back in a coaching search by 2030.
- Recruiting in a New Era: Whittingham has famously thrived on “doing more with less” at Utah. Moving to a “blue-blood” program like Michigan requires elite, national-level recruiting and aggressive NIL management—skills he hasn’t had to prioritize to the same degree in Salt Lake City.
- Geographic Transition: Whittingham is a Utah legend who has spent nearly his entire life and career in the West. Adapting to the Midwest and the unique pressures of the Michigan-Ohio State rivalry at this stage of his career is a massive undertaking.
- The “Transfer Portal” Uncertainty: While he joked about entering the transfer portal himself, the current state of roster management is grueling. Critics wonder if a veteran of 20+ years at one school has the appetite for the 24/7 roster-retention battles required at a school like Michigan.
Comparison: Whittingham vs. Previous Era
| Feature | Kyle Whittingham | Sherrone Moore/Jim Harbaugh |
| Experience | 21 years as HC | 1 year (Moore) / 9 years (Harbaugh) |
| Primary Focus | Defense & Physicality | Power Run & Defense |
| Reputation | High Stability / Disciplined | High Ceiling / High Drama |
| Offensive Style | Balanced / Pro-Style | Manball / Multiple |
As Kyle Whittingham finalizes his staff for Ann Arbor, the early word from insiders suggests he is looking to “replicate the Utah blueprint” by bringing several of his most trusted lieutenants.
However, one major name will not be following him: Longtime defensive coordinator Morgan Scalley has officially been promoted to replace Whittingham as the Head Coach at Utah, keeping him in Salt Lake City.
Here is the projected Michigan staff based on current reports and Whittingham’s historical ties:
1. Offensive Coordinator: Jason Beck
This is the most critical hire for Michigan fans. Beck took over Utah’s offense in 2025 and turned it into the No. 5 scoring offense in the nation (41.1 PPG).
- The Bryce Underwood Connection: Beck is seen as the “Underwood Whisperer.” His success with dual-threat QBs (like Utah’s Devon Dampier) makes him the perfect coordinator to keep the 5-star recruit committed to Michigan.
- The Scheme: He runs a modern, explosive spread-pro hybrid that would be a significant upgrade from the stagnant offense seen in 2024.
2. Assistant Head Coach / Offensive Line: Jim Harding
Harding has been with Whittingham for over a decade and is considered one of the best “technicians” in the country.
- Michigan Fit: Michigan’s identity is built on the offensive line (The “Joe Moore Award” standard). Harding has produced dozens of NFL linemen at Utah and would immediately restore that “bully ball” reputation.
- Head Coach in Waiting: Some analysts suggest Harding could be the designated successor at Michigan given Whittingham’s age.
3. Defensive Coordinator Target: Jay Hill
With Morgan Scalley staying at Utah, Whittingham is reportedly targeting Jay Hill, the current Defensive Coordinator at BYU.
- The History: Hill spent 13 years under Whittingham at Utah (2001–2013) before a successful head-coaching stint at Weber State.
- The Philosophy: He runs the same aggressive, “man-press” defensive scheme that Whittingham prefers, which aligns with what Michigan players are already used to from the Harbaugh era.
4. Tight Ends / Recruiting: Freddie Whittingham
Kyle’s brother has been a staple of the Utah staff and is a highly respected recruiter.
- TE Production: Utah has consistently produced NFL tight ends (like Dalton Kincaid). Given Michigan’s historical love for the position, Freddie is a natural fit to lead that room.
Projected Key Staff Positions
| Role | Name | Current/Former School | Status |
| Head Coach | Kyle Whittingham | Utah | Confirmed/Reported |
| Offensive Coordinator | Jason Beck | Utah | Top Target |
| Defensive Coordinator | Jay Hill | BYU | Rumored/Interest |
| Offensive Line | Jim Harding | Utah | Likely |
| Tight Ends | Freddie Whittingham | Utah | Likely |
A Potential “Wild Card” Transfer
There is significant buzz that if Jason Beck leaves for Michigan, Utah’s star quarterback Devon Dampier could follow him through the transfer portal. This would give Whittingham a veteran bridge-quarterback while Bryce Underwood develops.
As the news settles on Michigan finalizing a five-year contract with Kyle Whittingham, the focus has shifted entirely to how he will build his staff to maximize the talent already in Ann Arbor—specifically sophomore quarterback Bryce Underwood.
Reports from insiders like Pete Thamel and Matt Zenitz indicate that Whittingham’s first priority is a “clean sweep” of the previous offensive regime, with a direct aim at bringing his top Utah assistant to Michigan.
Projected Staff Announcements
- Offensive Coordinator: Jason Beck
- Status: Expected to be the primary target.
- The Fit: Beck is the architect of Utah’s 2025 offense, which ranked No. 5 in the nation in scoring (41.1 PPG). He has a long history of developing elite quarterbacks, including NFL players like Taysom Hill (BYU) and Bryce Perkins (Virginia).
- Defensive Coordinator: Jay Hill (BYU)
- Status: Emerged as a “name of interest” following the promotion of Morgan Scalley to Head Coach at Utah.
- The Fit: Hill is a former Whittingham disciple with over a decade of experience under him. He would bring the aggressive, “pro-style” defensive scheme that fits Michigan’s current personnel.
- Offensive Line: Jim Harding
- Status: Highly likely to follow Whittingham.
- The Fit: Harding is considered the “engine room” of Whittingham’s success, specializing in the gap-scheme run game and producing NFL-ready linemen.
How Jason Beck Would Use Bryce Underwood
If Beck is officially named OC, his system is widely viewed as the perfect vehicle to keep Underwood out of the transfer portal. Here is how the offense would likely be tailored to him:
- The “Devon Dampier” Blueprint: In 2025, Beck coached Utah’s Devon Dampier to a massive season (nearly 3,000 total yards and 29 touchdowns). Like Dampier, Underwood is a dual-threat with a massive ceiling. Beck’s system uses the quarterback run game to open up deep passing lanes.
- Aggressive Vertical Passing: Scouting reports on Underwood highlight his “gunslinger” mentality and elite deep-ball accuracy. Beck’s Utah offense was known for “shot plays” and high-efficiency passing, moving away from the conservative “man-ball” approach Michigan used in 2024.
- RPO and Play-Action: Beck utilizes a high volume of Run-Pass Options (RPOs). This would force Big Ten defenses to freeze against Michigan’s run game, giving Underwood “easy reads” to hit crossing routes or take shots downfield.
- Sophomore Jump: Insiders believe Beck’s primary task is to refine Underwood’s pocket mechanics—an area scouts mentioned as a growth point—while letting his natural athleticism thrive.
Note on Bryce Underwood’s Status: Since Sherrone Moore’s firing, retaining Underwood has been labeled the “most important person to keep in the entire program.” The hire of Jason Beck is seen as a direct signal to Underwood that Michigan is moving toward a modern, high-flying offense.
The move to hire Kyle Whittingham at Michigan on a five-year contract is now widely reported by the Associated Press and ESPN as of Friday, December 26, 2025. While a formal introductory press conference is expected later today or tomorrow, the “Whittingham Blueprint” for the coaching staff is already becoming clear.
Here is the deeper look at the statistical success of his projected offensive coordinator, Jason Beck, and how that translates to Michigan’s cornerstone player, Bryce Underwood.
Jason Beck: The Statistical “Fixer”
Beck has spent the last decade building a reputation for taking broken offenses and turning them into national leaders within a single season.
- The 2025 Utah Turnaround: In his lone season as Utah’s OC, Beck took an offense that averaged just 23.6 points per game in 2024 and exploded to 41.1 PPG (No. 5/6 nationally).
- Total Yardage: Under Beck, Utah jumped from 329.8 yards per game to 478.6 yards per game, ranking No. 6 in the FBS.
- Historical Impact: Beck has produced 1,000-yard rushers at Syracuse (LeQuint Allen) and record-setting passers at Virginia (Bryce Perkins and Brennan Armstrong). At New Mexico in 2024, his offense ranked 4th in the FBS in total yards (484.3 YPG).
Maximizing Bryce Underwood
Michigan’s 2024 season was defined by an inability to utilize Underwood’s five-star talent, as he threw for only 9 touchdowns in 12 games. Beck’s system is designed to correct this immediately:
- The “Dual-Threat” Specialist: Beck’s most recent success came with Devon Dampier (Utah/New Mexico), who accounted for 29 touchdowns in 2025. He utilizes the QB as a primary run threat to create massive lanes for “shot plays” downfield.
- Verticality: Unlike the conservative “man-ball” approach under the previous regime, Beck’s scheme uses Positionless Offense—moving tight ends and receivers into versatile roles to “pickle the defense” and create mismatches for a strong-armed QB like Underwood.
- Efficiency: Beck’s quarterbacks typically maintain high efficiency. At Utah, Dampier threw 22 touchdowns to only 5 interceptions while adding 7 rushing touchdowns.
Staff Announcement Watchlist
While the university has not yet released the full official directory, the following names are the primary focus of the transition:
| Position | Candidate | Current Connection | Expected Status |
| Offensive Coordinator | Jason Beck | Utah OC | Primary Target |
| Offensive Line | Jim Harding | Utah OL | Likely Following |
| Defensive Coordinator | Jay Hill | BYU DC | Reported Interest |
| Interim Status | Biff Poggi | Michigan Interim | Unlikely to remain HC |
Note on the Transition: Kyle Whittingham is expected to join Michigan in Orlando for the Citrus Bowl against Texas on December 31, while his former team, Utah, plays Nebraska in the Las Vegas Bowl that same day.
As of late Friday, December 26, 2025, reports indicate that Michigan has reached a five-year agreement with Kyle Whittingham, though an official university press conference is expected to follow shortly.1
Here is the breakdown of the staff developments and the statistical impact of his top coordinator target.
Formal Staff Announcement Status
- The Head Coach: Kyle Whittingham has agreed to a five-year deal.2 He is expected to join the team in Orlando for their Citrus Bowl matchup against Texas on December 31.
- The Coordinators: While not yet officially introduced by the university, Jason Beck (Offensive Coordinator) and Jay Hill (Defensive Coordinator) have emerged as the primary targets to lead the new staff.3
Jason Beck: Statistical Profile & Impact on Bryce Underwood
Jason Beck is widely credited with the “Utah Explosion” of 2025. His statistical track record suggests a massive shift for Bryce Underwood:
- Elite Scoring: Beck led Utah to the No. 5 scoring offense in the nation this past season, averaging 41.1 PPG.4 For context, Utah averaged only 23.6 PPG the year prior.
- Total Offense: Under Beck, Utah ranked No. 6 nationally, averaging 478.6 yards per game.5
- The “Dual-Threat” Factor: Beck utilized QB Devon Dampier to devastating effect, with Dampier throwing for 22 TDs (only 5 INTs) and rushing for 687 yards.6 This “open-style” offense is expected to be the primary tool to unlock Bryce Underwood’s five-star potential.
- Historical QB Development: Before Utah, Beck produced top-tier offenses at New Mexico (No. 4 in total yards in 2024) and mentored successful passers at Syracuse and Virginia.7
Jay Hill: The Defensive Philosophy
With Morgan Scalley staying at Utah as the new head coach, Whittingham is focusing on Jay Hill (current BYU DC) to lead the Michigan defense.8
- Aggressive Press-Man: Hill is a Whittingham disciple known for an aggressive, “Sack Lake City” style of defense that prioritizes pressure and physical secondary play.
- Turnaround Specialist: Analysts credit Hill as a major reason BYU became a top-20 program recently, noting his ability to build dominant defenses that carried the team during offensive transitions.9
- Head Coaching Pedigree: Hill was the all-time winningest coach at Weber State (FCS) before moving to BYU, bringing a level of veteran leadership that complements Whittingham’s style.10
Key Takeaways for the Transition
| Metric | 2024 Michigan (Est.) | 2025 Utah (Beck’s Offense) |
| Points Per Game | ~20-24 | 41.1 |
| Total Yards/Game | ~330 | 478.6 |
| Rushing Yards/Game | ~160 | 269.7 |
