Former Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham has officially taken over as the Michigan Wolverines’ 22nd head coach after Sherrone Moore, who led the program for two years and was recently fired for having an inappropriate relationship with a staff member.
Whittingham spoke to the press as the Michigan head coach for the first time and said he was honored to coach this football team. He further reiterated that the program reeks of tradition, being great at both academics and resources.
The former Utah head coach also spoke about stepping away from the program a couple of weeks ago after spending 21 years with it.
He further said that there were only a few schools that would call and make him answer, one of them being Michigan.
“I can say without question what an honor it is to be here, what a privilege it is to be able to coach this football team.”
Watch new @UMichFootball coach Kyle Whittingham’s full opening statement 👇 pic.twitter.com/E2nZkcRggT
— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) December 28, 2025
Here’s how fans reacted:
“‘What’ an idiot you are, to want stress galore as a ‘senior citizen’$$$,” one fan sarcastically wrote.
“Also sounds like he’s planning to mostly bring in his own people (some of them apparently coaching in the playoffs?) but will hopefully keep RB coach Tony Alford,” another fan wrote.
“Sherrone always felt like a used car salesman trying to sell us the idea he knew what he was doing. Kyle Whittingham is confident and is not trying to sell anyone anything. He knows his sh*t, and you either get on the train or get left behind,” another fan pointed out.
“He is all action no talk. Dude is legit. With Michigan’s resources (fire emoji),” another fan predicted.
“‘Reeks of tradition.’ Well said. Michigan’s tradition does reek and hopefully he will correct it,” another fan added.
“The sh*t show that Warde Emanuel and Sherrone Moore have created needs to be righted. This is a coach that is tough, that wins and actually has integrity. Just what @UMichFootball needs,” another fan highlighted.
Paul Finebaum Makes Thoughts Clear on Michigan’s Kyle Whittingham Pursuit
Before Michigan finalized the deal with Kyle Whittingham, Paul Finebaum gave his nod of approval to the potential hire and said that, considering what the Wolverines have been through, this is a significant move, as the ex-Utah head coach brings an enormous record of wins and culture, calling him a physical football coach.
Finebaum said there is no other program in America that needs someone strong in culture more than the University of Michigan, predicting that Whittingham would be able to bring back respect to the program that they’ve lost.
Whittingham has signed a five-year deal with the Wolverines that averages $8.2 million per year.
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