The University of Michigan is finalized a deal to hire Utah’s Kyle Whittingham as its next head football coach, according to sources familiar with the negotiations, moving swiftly to replace Sherrone Moore after his abrupt firing earlier this week over his affair with Paige Shiver.
The move, first reported by ESPN, marks a seismic shift for the defending national champions, who are looking to restore stability following a tumultuous season defined by on-field struggles and off-field investigations.
Whittingham, 65, has spent two decades at the helm of the Utes, where he became the winningest coach in program history. Known for a gritty, developmental approach and defensive consistency, Whittingham’s profile aligns with the “Michigan Man” philosophy of physical, trench-based football, even though he has no prior ties to the Big Ten.
The hiring comes just days after Michigan dismissed Moore, who was promoted from offensive coordinator to head coach last January following Jim Harbaugh’s departure for the NFL. While Moore guided the Wolverines through three critical wins as acting head coach during Harbaugh’s suspensions in 2023, his lone full season in charge was marred by a regression in play and the looming shadow of NCAA inquiries.
In Whittingham, Michigan lands one of the most respected tenured coaches in the country. During his 20 seasons in Salt Lake City, Whittingham compiled a 167-83 record, secured two Pac-12 championships, and earned a reputation for doing more with less on the recruiting trail.
The transition signals a desire by the Michigan athletic department to install a veteran leader capable of navigating the expanded Big Ten and the modern NIL landscape.
Utah officials have not yet commented on the departure, though Whittingham had previously hinted at retirement in recent years. The lure of the Michigan job—one of the few “blue blood” positions in the sport—apparently proved enough to delay those plans.
An official announcement from the university is expected as early as Friday afternoon.
Moore’s exit and Whittingham’s arrival represent the first time Michigan has hired a coach from outside the program’s immediate ecosystem since Rich Rodriguez in 2008. The university is expected to provide details on Whittingham’s contract and his plan for the existing coaching staff during an introductory press conference at Schembechler Hall.
Flip the pages for photos of Paige Shiver the woman who ruined Sherrone Moore’s life.
