Michigan has hired Kyle Whittingham as its next head football coach to replace Sherrone Moore, the disgraced former coach who was fired for cause earlier this month.
According to multiple reports, the 66-year-old Whittingham has agreed to a five-year deal. He represents a significant and immediate upgrade from Moore.
Whittingham stepped down as Utah’s HC two weeks ago after a 21-year tenure and 32 seasons with the program dating back to 1994. He was named the Mountain West’s Coach of the Year in 2008 and was the Pac-12’s Coach of the Year in 2019 and 2021.
Whittingham compiled a 177-88 overall record with the Utes, going 11-6 in 17 bowl games. He was the second-longest tenured coach in all of college football at the time of his resignation.
Whittingham was named the National Coach of the Year in 2008 when he led Utah to a 13-0 record and a win over Alabama at the Sugar Bowl. He led the Utes to at least 10 wins eight times, including this year.
In 2021 and 2022, Whittingham led Utah to wins in the Pac-12 Championship Game and appearances in the Rose Bowl. The Utes are ranked #15 in the College Football Playoff rankings ahead of their Las Vegas Bowl matchup versus vs. Nebraska.
Whittingham will coach Utah for the final time against the Cornhuskers. As of late Friday afternoon, most books had the Utes installed as 14 or 14.5-point favorites with a total of 50.5 or 51. Nebraska was a +450 money-line underdog.
Biff Poggi is serving as Michigan interim HC for its Citrus Bowl showdown vs. Texas. As of late Friday afternoon, the Longhorns were 7.5 or eight-point ‘chalk’ with a total of 48 or 48.5. The Wolverines were +260 on the money line.