Kyle Whittingham’s remarkable run at Utah has officially come to an end-and it ends not with a final game on the sideline, but with a new chapter in Ann Arbor.
Earlier this month, Whittingham announced he was stepping down as head coach of the Utes after a storied tenure that spanned decades. The initial plan was for him to lead Utah one last time in the Las Vegas Bowl.
But as bowl season approached, Michigan came calling-and Whittingham answered. He’s now officially the new head coach of the Wolverines and won’t coach in Utah’s bowl game.
The decision was confirmed in statements from both Whittingham and Utah athletic director Mark Harlan, who acknowledged Michigan’s request for Whittingham to join the program immediately. The move allows Whittingham to begin evaluating his new roster and staff ahead of the Jan. 2 transfer portal window.
“The University of Utah is grateful for Coach Whittingham’s incredible contributions over his long tenure at the university, and we wish him and his family all the best with this next step in his career,” Harlan said. “After discussions with Coach Whittingham, his representatives and the University of Michigan, we have granted their request to allow him to join the Michigan program immediately.”
With Whittingham moving on, longtime defensive coordinator Morgan Scalley will take over as interim head coach for the Las Vegas Bowl. Scalley has been a fixture in the Utah program and is well-positioned to guide the Utes through this transition.
Whittingham’s departure doesn’t come as a total surprise. When he announced he was stepping down, he made it clear it wasn’t a retirement.
He left the door open to future opportunities-and Michigan offered one he couldn’t pass up. He now steps in to replace Sherrone Moore, taking over a Wolverines team that’s coming off a strong season and preparing for a high-stakes bowl matchup.
In his farewell message, Whittingham expressed gratitude for the people and program that defined his coaching career.
“I am grateful to our administration, staff, players, and coaches for their commitment, trust, and hard work throughout the years,” Whittingham said. “This university and football program mean a great deal to me, and I am proud of what we have built together. I appreciate the support from the University of Utah allowing me to step away at this time.”
He also took a moment to thank the fans who’ve stood by the program through thick and thin.
“Your loyalty, passion, and support have been second to none,” he said. “Whether at Rice-Eccles Stadium or representing Utah across the country, you have made this time special and created memories that will last a lifetime. Utah will always hold a special place in my heart, and I wish Coach Scalley and the program a smooth transition and continued success moving forward.”
So, what’s next? Both programs take the field on December 31.
The No. 15 Utes will face Nebraska in the Las Vegas Bowl, kicking off at 3:30 p.m.
ET. Meanwhile, Michigan, now under Whittingham’s leadership, will face No.
13 Texas in the Citrus Bowl at 3 p.m. ET in Orlando.
For Michigan, getting Whittingham in the building now is about more than just bowl prep. With the transfer portal set to open in early January, the Wolverines clearly wanted their new head coach to hit the ground running. And for Utah, the focus shifts to supporting its players and staff through one final game of the 2025 season-and then turning the page on a new era.
Whittingham’s legacy in Salt Lake City is secure. He leaves behind a program he helped shape into a consistent winner and a national contender. Now, he takes on a new challenge in Ann Arbor, with the same trademark intensity and leadership that made him a fixture in college football for years.