The Michigan football coaching search has taken some unexpected turns this month, and as we head into the final stretch of December, one name is starting to rise above the rest: Kyle Whittingham.
It all started on December 10, when Michigan abruptly fired head coach Sherrone Moore for cause, following a university investigation that reportedly uncovered “credible evidence” of an inappropriate relationship with a staff member. That move immediately threw one of college football’s most high-profile jobs into the spotlight - and into flux.
Just two days later, longtime Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham stepped down after 21 seasons. Initially, the assumption was that the 64-year-old was ready to hang it up after a storied career. But that narrative shifted quickly when reports surfaced that Whittingham was not retiring and could, in fact, be open to coaching again.
The timing was impossible to ignore - Moore out at Michigan, Whittingham stepping down but not stepping away. Naturally, the dots started connecting.
At first, Whittingham wasn’t seen as the front-runner. Other candidates were higher on the early shortlists: Arizona State’s Kenny Dillingham, Alabama’s Kalen DeBoer, Washington’s Jedd Fisch, Louisville’s Jeff Brohm, Missouri’s Eli Drinkwitz, Chargers DC Jesse Minter, and even Michigan interim coach Biff Poggi.
But over the past week and a half, the landscape has shifted - and it’s shifted in Whittingham’s favor.
Dillingham inked a contract extension with Arizona State, taking his name off the board. DeBoer is still coaching Alabama in the College Football Playoff, with a semifinal showdown set for January 1. That means Michigan would have to wait until at least then - and maybe longer - to even have a serious conversation with him.
Meanwhile, other names continue to float, but none have gained the traction that Whittingham has in recent days. According to prediction markets and industry chatter, he’s gone from an intriguing possibility to a legitimate favorite.
Now, let’s be clear: this search is far from over. ESPN’s Dan Wetzel noted over the weekend that, based on everything he’s heard, Michigan isn’t expected to make a decision anytime soon. And in a coaching carousel as unpredictable as this one, things can always change quickly.
Still, there are signs that the Wolverines may not want to drag this out much longer. On Monday, interim coach Biff Poggi told reporters that athletic director Warde Manuel had informed the team he hopes to have a new coach in place sometime between Christmas Day and the Citrus Bowl on December 31, when Michigan faces Texas.
That timeline is tight - and it could rule out coaches still active in the CFP, like DeBoer. It also suggests Michigan may be leaning toward someone available right now.
Enter Whittingham.
There’s also some internal tug-of-war happening behind the scenes. According to a report from FootballScoop’s Zach Barnett, the University of Michigan’s board is currently split on how to proceed. One faction reportedly wants a clean break from the program’s recent past and favors an experienced, respected outsider - someone like Whittingham, who’s widely regarded as one of the most respected leaders in college football and arguably the top free-agent coach on the market.
Another group reportedly supports Jesse Minter, who served as Michigan’s defensive coordinator from 2022 to 2023 and is now with the Chargers. There’s even a third group that’s still looking for other options.
So yes, there’s division at the top. But Whittingham’s name keeps surfacing - and for good reason.
He’s got the résumé: 177 wins, three conference championships, two Rose Bowl appearances, and an undefeated season in 2008. He’s known for building tough, disciplined teams and developing talent. And perhaps most importantly, he’s available now - no playoff obligations, no contract hurdles.
As for Whittingham himself? He’s keeping things open.
When asked last week in Salt Lake City about the possibility of returning to the sidelines, he said, “If my phone rings, I answer it. I like who’s calling?
Then we’ll see.”
That’s not exactly a retirement speech.
So here we are: Michigan’s coaching search remains fluid, but the clock is ticking. The Citrus Bowl is just days away, and the transfer portal is about to heat up. If the Wolverines want to stabilize their program heading into 2026, they’ll need to move quickly - and Kyle Whittingham might just be the steady hand they’re looking for.