In a whirlwind 24-hour stretch that’s already reshaping the college football coaching carousel, Kyle Whittingham’s move to Michigan has triggered a flurry of behind-the-scenes activity - and it’s clear he’s not heading to Ann Arbor alone.
Whittingham, long known for his preference to work with a tight-knit circle of trusted colleagues, is reportedly making a strong push to bring several familiar faces from Utah and BYU along with him. While most coaches are still deep in bowl prep mode - limiting direct conversations - agents are working overtime, quietly laying the groundwork for what could be a significant staff migration from the Beehive State to the Big Ten.
At the top of Whittingham’s wish list? Jason Beck.
The current Utah offensive coordinator has emerged as Whittingham’s top target to take over the same role at Michigan. Beck’s stock is on the rise - and fast.
Barring a major shift, he’s widely expected to land a head coaching gig within the next year. That makes the battle to keep him in Salt Lake City a high-stakes one.
Utah isn’t going down without a fight. The program is reportedly ready to get aggressive with its offer, hoping to convince Beck to stay on for one more season.
And there’s a domino effect in play: if Beck remains at Utah, expect both Fesi Sitake and Ty Detmer to stick around as well. But if Beck heads to Michigan, Detmer is almost certain to follow, and Sitake is also seen as highly likely to make the jump.
There’s also an intriguing subplot brewing in the wide receivers room. Michigan has an interest in retaining current WR coach and passing game coordinator Ronald Bellamy. But if Beck takes the OC job, he’s expected to want full control over his position coach hires - and that could set up a potential choice between Bellamy and someone like Sitake, who has long been aligned with Beck.
Should Beck land in Ann Arbor and Bellamy stay, there’s a scenario where new Michigan head coach Morgan Scally could retain Sitake in another capacity. But right now, the momentum seems to be pointing toward Sitake joining Beck at Michigan.
For Beck, the potential move is more than just a lateral shift - it’s a launchpad. A successful season as Michigan’s OC could catapult him into the national spotlight and set him up for a top-tier head coaching job. And with the kind of financial backing Michigan can offer, it may be a deal too good to pass up.
The coaching carousel is spinning fast, and with Whittingham now at the center of it in Ann Arbor, we’re likely just seeing the beginning of a broader staff reshuffle. One thing’s clear: Michigan isn’t just getting a seasoned head coach - they’re getting a program builder with a clear vision and a loyal crew ready to follow.