Kyle Whittingham is officially the new man in charge at Michigan, and he brings with him one of the most quietly impressive résumés in college football. Over 22 seasons at Utah, Whittingham built a program defined by consistency, toughness, and results-eight double-digit win seasons, a reputation for player development, and a culture that rarely flinched under pressure.
But here’s a twist that Michigan fans might not want to dwell on too long: Whittingham has never lost to the Wolverines. That’s not some dusty stat from decades ago, either.
He’s 3-0 against Michigan, and those wins came against three different head coaches-Rich Rodriguez in 2008, Brady Hoke in 2014, and Jim Harbaugh in 2015. Three different eras, same result.
Now, he’s not just lining up across from the maize and blue-he’s leading them.
Michigan made the hire official on December 26, wrapping up a two-week coaching search following the dismissal of Sherrone Moore. Whittingham becomes the program’s 22nd head coach, and while his track record speaks volumes, the real work begins now-especially when it comes to building relationships and shaping the next phase of Michigan football.
One of the biggest early challenges? Bryce Underwood.
The five-star freshman quarterback is still weighing his future in Ann Arbor. Underwood met with reporters ahead of Michigan’s Citrus Bowl matchup with Texas and didn’t sugarcoat where things stand.
“I don’t really know too much about him,” he said of Whittingham. “I’m just excited to figure out what kind of guy he is.”
That’s a pivotal quote. Underwood is more than just a highly touted recruit-he’s a foundational piece of Michigan’s future.
In 2025, he completed 61.1% of his passes for 2,229 yards, tossing nine touchdowns against six interceptions. His 131.0 passer rating ranked 11th among Big Ten quarterbacks-not elite, but certainly promising for a true freshman learning the ropes.
Underwood made it clear that Whittingham’s offensive coordinator hire and overall scheme will be critical in determining whether he stays put. And that makes sense. A quarterback’s development hinges on fit and familiarity, especially when a new staff is coming in.
As of Saturday, Whittingham had not yet met with Underwood, though he was scheduled to address the team later that evening. Time is of the essence.
The Citrus Bowl kicks off December 31 at 3 p.m. ET, and once that clock hits zero, Underwood will shift his focus to his own future.
Whittingham, for his part, said the decision to leave Utah was his own. He told reporters he considered stepping down after a disappointing season but ultimately chose to “run it back” one more time before taking the Michigan job. He described his two-decade run in Salt Lake City as “a very enjoyable ride.”
Now, he’s trading the mountains for the Big House, and the expectations are sky-high. Beating Michigan is one thing. Leading them-especially in the current college football landscape-is a whole different challenge.
But if Whittingham’s past is any indication, he’s not one to shy away from a challenge.