Kyle Whittingham Reportedly Set to Take Over at Michigan, Eyes Familiar Staff for Move East
Big changes could be coming to Ann Arbor - and they might be arriving straight from Salt Lake City.
Kyle Whittingham, the longtime head coach at Utah, has reportedly agreed to a five-year deal to become the next head coach at the University of Michigan. After more than two decades leading the Utes, Whittingham appears ready for a new chapter - and he may be bringing some familiar faces with him.
According to multiple reports, Whittingham is looking to assemble a staff that includes Utah offensive coordinator Jason Beck and BYU defensive coordinator Jay Hill. If those moves materialize, Michigan wouldn’t just be getting one of the most respected head coaches in college football - they’d be importing a trio of proven developers of talent and systems that have produced real results.
From the Wasatch Front to the Big Ten
Whittingham’s name surfacing in connection with the Michigan job comes just over two weeks after the Wolverines parted ways with former head coach Sherrone Moore, following an internal investigation that uncovered what was described as “credible evidence” of an inappropriate relationship with a staff member.
Initially, Whittingham was believed to be leaning toward retirement. After stepping down from Utah on Dec. 12, he handed the reins to longtime assistant and defensive coordinator Morgan Scalley - a move that many thought marked the end of Whittingham’s coaching career. But just days later, Whittingham joked that he was “in the transfer portal,” suggesting he might not be done with coaching after all.
Now, it looks like that next opportunity has arrived - and it’s a big one.
Building a Staff with Familiar Faces
Sources indicate that Jay Hill is a top candidate to join Whittingham in Ann Arbor as defensive coordinator. Hill, who took over BYU’s defense in 2023, has transformed that unit into one of the more quietly effective defenses in the country. This season, the Cougars ranked 28th nationally in total defense, giving up just 328.4 yards per game, and 21st in scoring defense, allowing 19.0 points per contest.
Hill’s impact hasn’t just been felt on the field - he’s also helped build a strong pipeline of defensive talent. Alongside secondary coach Jernaro Gilford, Hill helped develop players like cornerback Tre Alexander, redshirt junior Evan Johnson, and safety Faletau Satuala, all of whom made immediate contributions - many as starters.
On the offensive side, Jason Beck could be another key piece of Whittingham’s Michigan blueprint. Beck, a former BYU quarterback and longtime assistant under Bronco Mendenhall, took over Utah’s offense just a year ago and delivered one of the most explosive attacks in the country. Under his guidance, the Utes averaged 41.1 points per game - fifth-best in the nation.
Beck’s offensive turnaround was swift and decisive. After arriving from New Mexico, he brought with him quarterback Devon Dampier and installed a system that clicked almost immediately. His coaching stops - which include stints at Virginia, Syracuse, Simon Fraser (Canada), and Weber State - have helped shape a versatile offensive mind with a knack for quarterback development and game planning.
BYU’s Sitake Supports Staff Growth
While neither Utah nor BYU have commented publicly on the reported moves, BYU head coach Kalani Sitake addressed the broader topic of staff turnover during his press conference ahead of the Pop-Tarts Bowl.
Sitake made it clear that he supports his assistants taking steps forward in their careers.
“I do know that I have coaches on my staff that want to be head coaches, and most of those opportunities, they will come along,” Sitake said. “We can be transparent as much as we can about it, but it is going to be really difficult as we go through this.”
Sitake also noted that recent NCAA rule changes allowing larger coaching staffs have created more flexibility - and more movement - across the college football landscape.
“You can have 20 to 30 coaches, if you want,” he added. “It’s just a balance of how many, and then who to replace them with.”
What It Means for Michigan
If the reports hold true, Michigan is about to undergo a significant transformation - not just in terms of leadership, but in philosophy on both sides of the ball. Whittingham brings a reputation for discipline, physicality, and long-term program building. Hill and Beck, meanwhile, represent two of the more innovative minds currently working in the college game, with proven track records of elevating talent and implementing systems that win.
For a Michigan program looking to reset and reestablish itself after a turbulent end to the Moore era, this trio could offer exactly the kind of stability and vision the Wolverines need.
Whittingham’s move to the Big Ten - if finalized - would mark one of the most high-profile coaching shifts of the offseason. And if he brings Hill and Beck with him, Michigan might not just be hiring a head coach - they’d be importing a winning culture.