Michigan Football’s Next Chapter: Whittingham Era Begins With Eyes on Staff, Roster-and a 5-Star Flip?
Michigan didn’t waste any time turning the page. Just days after officially hiring Kyle Whittingham as the program’s next head football coach, the conversation has already shifted to what comes next: building out the coaching staff, solidifying the roster, and keeping momentum with both current players and top-tier recruits.
Whittingham’s arrival brings a steady hand to Ann Arbor, and the early reactions have been promising. Some key recruits and current Wolverines have voiced their support for the hire, including former five-star quarterback Bryce Underwood, who described himself as “excited” about the new direction. That’s a strong early sign for a program that’s navigating a critical transition.
While Michigan fans wait to see how the staff will fully take shape, one name already generating buzz is Jay Hill, who’s expected to be named defensive coordinator. Hill has worked closely with Whittingham at Utah, and his potential addition would bring continuity and defensive expertise to the Wolverines' sideline. With both Utah and Michigan wrapping up their seasons on December 31, the expectation is that a nearly full staff will be in place soon after-just in time for the next wave of transfer portal activity.
And that timing matters. Because while there’s understandable concern about who Michigan might lose during this transition, there’s also real intrigue around who they might gain.
Enter Kelvin Obot.
The five-star offensive tackle is currently committed to Utah, but his recruitment could get interesting fast. Obot, a 6-foot-6, 265-pound mauler, is ranked 27th overall in the 2026 class and sits as the No. 4 offensive tackle in the country.
Michigan was one of his finalists before he committed to the Utes, and the key figure in that recruiting battle? Utah offensive line coach Jim Harding.
Harding was Obot’s lead recruiter, and if he follows Whittingham to Ann Arbor-as many expect-there’s a legitimate chance Michigan could re-enter the picture in a big way. That’s not just speculation; it’s a real recruiting ripple effect that happens when coaching staffs shift and relationships move with them.
Now, for Obot to make the switch, he’d need to request a release from his letter of intent. That’s not unheard of-three Michigan players have already done so this offseason. And if his position coach leaves, that’s often the tipping point.
Whittingham’s reputation at Utah wasn’t built on flashy recruiting wins, but he’s shown he can land blue-chip talent when the right pieces are in place. Obot is a prime example. If Michigan can bring Harding on board, it wouldn’t just be a coaching coup-it could be the key to flipping a potential cornerstone of the 2026 class.
So while the staff is still forming and the portal is about to open wide, Michigan is already positioning itself to not just hold the line-but potentially push it forward. The Whittingham era is underway, and the moves over the next few weeks could define how quickly the Wolverines reload.