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The University of Michigan hired a new head football coach after firing ex-coach Sherrone Moore on Dec. 10 for having an “inappropriate relationship” with a female staffer. Moore was arrested hours after his firing and later charged with home invasion, stalking and breaking and entering.
U of M announced Friday night that Kyle Whittingham, 66, who served as the Utes’ head coach at the University of Utah for 21 seasons, had agreed to a five-year contract that runs through 2030 to lead the Wolverines.
Details of the contact have not been disclosed.
“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 Michigan Director of Athletics Warde Manuel.
Whittingham said: “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.”
Michigan is hoping to turn things around after the Moore’s firing. Moore served as coach for the 2024 and 2025 seasons after working under former coach Jim Harbaugh since 2018. Michigan later announced that its athletic department was under review amid the investigation against Moore.
Whittingham joined the Utes staff in 1994, first as a defensive line coach. He worked through the ranks, also serving as defensive coordinator, linebackers coach and safeties coach, before he was named head coach in 2005.
In Whittingham’s first seven seasons as head coach, he led the Utes to seven bowl games, winning six of them. Whittingham ended with a 177-88 career record with the Utes and an 11-6 bowl record. His best season was in 2008 when he led the Utes to an undefeated record and a victory in the Sugar Bowl.
Whittingham is Utah’s all-time wins leader, and his 177 wins rank third among active FBS coaches. He led the Utes to 10-plus wins on eight occasions and posted 18 winning seasons.
On Dec. 12, Whittingham announced that he was stepping down. The Utes finished the 2025 season with a 10-2 record and are now preparing for the Las Vegas Bowl against Nebraska. Whittingham will not coach Utah in its bowl game and instead will join Michigan at the Citrus Bowl.
Meanwhile, the Wolverines (9-3) are gearing up for the Citrus Bowl against Texas, with interim coach Biff Poggi leading the team. Poggi told reporters earlier this week that he interviewed for the job, and the university was hoping to hire its next coach before the bowl game.
