Kyle Whittingham will not wait until after Utah’s Las Vegas Bowl appearance to begin the next chapter of his coaching career. According to multiple reports, the longtime Utah head coach is expected to join Michigan in Orlando, Florida, on Saturday, Dec. 27, as the Wolverines prepare for their Citrus Bowl matchup against Texas.
Whittingham is expected to inform his Utah players of his decision on Friday, Dec. 26, once the team arrives in Las Vegas. While the Las Vegas Bowl was originally believed to be his final game with the Utes, Whittingham clarified earlier this month that he was not retiring from coaching. Instead, he described his situation as being “in the transfer portal,” signaling his intention to continue his career elsewhere.
Michigan finalized a five-year agreement with Whittingham to become the program’s next head coach, according to Tony Garcia of the Detroit Free Press. He will replace Sherrone Moore, whose tenure ended earlier this month following a university investigation that led to his firing with cause. The Wolverines have faced multiple offseason issues in recent years, making stability a top priority moving forward.
Kyle Whittingham is informing the Utah team that he will not be coaching in the Las Vegas Bowl against Nebraska, per me and @DanWetzel. It is paramount for Michigan that he get to Orlando to meet with his new team and the players’ family members to get going on his new job. Pic.twitter.com/vxKHNLrHXt
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) December 27, 2025
Whittingham brings a strong résumé to Ann Arbor. He spent 22 seasons as Utah’s head coach and finished his time with the program holding a 177–88 overall record. Under his leadership, the Utes became a consistent winner and a respected program on the national stage. This move marks just the second head coaching stop of Whittingham’s career, a rare feat in modern college football.
At Michigan, Whittingham will face immediate challenges beyond preparing for future seasons. One of his biggest tasks will be retaining talent on the current roster, including freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood. NCAA rules allow players five days to enter the transfer portal following the hiring of a new head coach, making the timing of Whittingham’s arrival especially important.
Despite his early involvement with Michigan, Whittingham will not coach the Wolverines in the Citrus Bowl. Interim head coach Biff Poggi is expected to lead Michigan against Texas, while Utah will be coached by Morgan Scalley in the Las Vegas Bowl. Scalley had already been named Whittingham’s successor at Utah before this transition became official.
As Whittingham prepares to take over one of college football’s most storied programs, his early arrival signals Michigan’s desire to move forward quickly and regain stability under an experienced and proven leader.
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