When Kyle Whittingham took over at Michigan in December, he wasn’t just stepping into a high-profile job - he was walking into a program in crisis. The Wolverines were reeling after former head coach Sherrone Moore was fired following criminal charges tied to a disturbing off-field incident. With the program’s stability hanging in the balance, Michigan needed a leader who could not only steady the ship but also restore trust in the locker room and beyond.
Enter Whittingham, a veteran coach known for his steady hand and principled approach. His five-year deal came with a clear mandate: rebuild the culture, retain top-tier talent, and keep Michigan football competitive at the national level. Athletic director Warde Manuel made it clear that Whittingham’s leadership style - grounded, disciplined, and player-focused - was exactly what the Wolverines needed in this moment.
And early signs suggest Whittingham is already making an impact.
One of the biggest developments this week is the expected return of defensive lineman Enow Etta, who had entered the transfer portal but now appears poised to stay in Ann Arbor. According to multiple sources, Etta is likely to withdraw his name from the portal before it closes Thursday - a move that would be a major win for Michigan’s defensive front.
Etta, a Texas native and former four-star recruit, initially came to Michigan as an edge rusher but has since shifted inside to defensive tackle. He played in all 13 games last season, racking up 15 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, and half a sack as part of the Wolverines’ rotation.
While those numbers don’t jump off the page, Etta’s upside is significant. He’s widely considered one of the top 10 players in the transfer portal and is rated higher than any other available defensive tackle.
His return would be more than just a retention - it’s a statement. Michigan has already added Utah transfer Jonah Lea’ea to bolster its defensive line, but depth at tackle remains a concern.
With Etta back in the fold, the Wolverines would have a more complete rotation that includes rising talent like Trey Pierce, veterans like Benny Patterson, and young players such as Deyvid Palepale and Travis Moten. That kind of depth is essential in the Big Ten trenches, where games are often won and lost at the line of scrimmage.
But Whittingham’s early efforts aren’t limited to the defensive side of the ball.
At his introductory press conference in Orlando, the new head coach made it a point to mention quarterback Bryce Underwood by name - and for good reason. Underwood, the former No. 1 overall recruit, started all season as a true freshman and is seen as the future of the program. Retaining him was a top priority.
Whittingham, ever the detail-oriented coach, noticed something troubling upon arrival: Underwood hadn’t been working with a dedicated quarterbacks coach. That’s a major red flag for any young signal-caller, let alone a 17-year-old phenom still developing his fundamentals.
“First of all, from what I understand, there was no dedicated quarterback coach working with him on a daily basis, which has to happen,” Whittingham said on The Triple Option podcast.
That’s already changing. Underwood is now working closely with quarterbacks coaches Jason Beck and Koy Detmer, who are focused on refining his mechanics and sharpening his fundamentals. At 6-foot-4 and 225 pounds, Underwood has all the physical tools - the arm strength, the size, the poise - but Whittingham’s staff is making sure the foundation is solid.
Whittingham described Underwood as “the whole package,” and his return provided a stabilizing effect not just for the locker room, but for Michigan’s recruiting efforts as well. When your franchise quarterback commits to the future, it sends a message: this program isn’t going anywhere.
Now, with Underwood locked in and Etta likely to follow, Whittingham is quietly stacking wins in what’s shaping up to be a pivotal offseason. There’s still work to be done, no doubt. But for a program that desperately needed direction, Michigan seems to have found its compass.