Things have changed fast in Ann Arbor since Michigan’s loss to Ohio State back in November. The Wolverines didn’t just tweak around the edges - they hit the reset button in a big way, from the coaching staff to the roster.
After parting ways with Sherrone Moore, Michigan brought in Kyle Whittingham - a seasoned, respected name in the college football world. Whittingham wasted no time assembling a staff packed with experience, replacing a group that, while promising, hadn’t quite proven itself at the highest level.
And it wasn’t just the coaching ranks that got a facelift. Michigan also dipped into the transfer portal to bring in a handful of players who are expected to contribute immediately.
So yes, the faces on the sideline and on the field look a lot different than they did last fall. But the biggest shift might be philosophical - and fans may not fully grasp it until the Wolverines take the field in September.
For more than a decade, Michigan’s identity has been built on defense. No matter who held the coordinator title - and there have been five of them over the last 11 years - the Wolverines consistently fielded units that could stifle just about anyone.
That defensive backbone carried them through plenty of tough stretches, including the past two seasons when Wink Martindale helped guide the team to 17 wins despite an offense that often looked stuck in neutral. And let’s not forget Jesse Minter’s 2023 unit, which helped Michigan win a national title while allowing just 10.7 points and 247 yards per game.
That kind of dominance became the program’s calling card.
But heading into 2026, the script is flipping - and Michigan’s offense is poised to take center stage.
The Wolverines made a statement by hiring Jason Beck as offensive coordinator. Beck’s résumé speaks volumes: he took Utah’s offense from No. 102 to No. 4 in scoring nationally in just one season. His system emphasizes balance and has a strong track record with dual-threat quarterbacks - something that should benefit Bryce Underwood in a big way.
Underwood showed flashes last year, but his freshman campaign hit a wall late in the season. Accuracy and decision-making became issues as the year wore on.
With Beck calling plays and Koy Detmer Jr. now coaching quarterbacks, there’s real optimism that Underwood can take a major leap forward. He’ll have a better structure around him - and a lot more help.
That help starts with a revamped receiving corps. Andrew Marsh, JJ Buchanan and Jaime Ffrench headline a group of pass-catchers that gives Michigan the kind of aerial versatility it simply didn’t have last season. Add in a backfield featuring Jordan Marshall and Savion Hiter - plus an offensive line returning three starters from 2025 - and you’ve got the makings of a unit that can move the ball in multiple ways.
The offensive pieces are there. The coaching is in place. And with a tough schedule on tap, Michigan may need to win some shootouts - which, for the first time in a while, they might actually be equipped to do.
On the other side of the ball, though, there are more questions than answers. The defense took a hit in the offseason, especially in the front seven.
Key contributors at defensive tackle, edge rusher and linebacker are gone, and that kind of turnover is hard to gloss over. The secondary still looks solid - experienced, talented, and capable - but it can’t carry the whole load.
Now, Michigan has a track record of developing defensive stars who weren’t necessarily five-star recruits. Names like David Ojabo, Kwity Paye, Kenneth Grant and Kris Jenkins all blossomed into impact players in Ann Arbor, often against the odds. That kind of development magic could happen again - especially with veteran defensive coordinator Jay Hill now in charge - but it’s not something you can bank on.
With a young front seven and a new scheme to install, expecting the defense to be elite right out of the gate might be a stretch. And that’s okay. Because for the first time in a long time, Michigan might not need a shutdown defense to win games.
The offense looks like it can carry more of the weight, and that’s a shift in identity that could define the 2026 season. It might take some getting used to - especially for fans who’ve grown accustomed to defensive slugfests - but this new-look Wolverines team has the tools to keep winning. The formula is different, but the expectations remain the same.