Swinging for the fences has been an ongoing theme for the 2025 college football head coaching searches. Each team certain they have the gravitas to pull an exciting, young, successful coach. Likely plucking that coach from an otherwise good situation.
Whether it was LSU, Florida, Auburn or Penn State, most coaching interest came from coaches in good situations, like Marcus Freeman and Dan Lanning. Two coaches who shouldn't even consider the Michigan Wolverines.
However, Michigan finds themselves in an interesting position. They’re late the coaching hire party and most of the ‘available’ candidates are no longer available. So, what happens when the best option is not young, not currently under contract with another school, isn’t as exciting, but is the right choice?
Some of the names still being floated as possible hires at Michigan are names like Jedd Fisch at Washington, Kalen DeBoer at Alabama is still getting mentioned, Jeff Brohm at Louisville, and Cleveland Browns offensive coordinator Tommy Rees. All could be solid, but all are in current situations, and none offer what the what an ‘available’ coach can offer.
Michigan needs to seriously consider Kyle Whittingham
Michigan should take a good hard look at long time former Utah Utes head coach Kyle Whittingham. The aspect of the Michigan job that has not come to the forefront of the conversation yet, is the challenge of turning around a program, not just a football team. As well as turning around an image, a culture and a public perception. Whittingham is likely the best candidate to fix those things and put a respected product on the field.
Michigan doesn’t need a coaching darling. They don’t need some hot young coordinator. They don’t need to attempt to poach a coach for it to be a good hire. They need someone to clean up the mess Moore and by that extension Harbaugh left. Michigan needs a sturdy hand with decades of experience of running a serious, no-nonsense program.
Michigan, especially now, is not the job Michigan used to be. They are still a large program with the ability to generate significant revenue. However, despite many analysts arguing the contrary, Michigan is not a top destination. Michigan is significant, but not significant enough to lure away Nick Saban or the aforementioned Freeman, Lanning or similar hot names. Now that Harbaugh and Moore have left a significant mess, a different remedy is needed.
Whittingham would provide an immediate calm and steady hand to guide them through their turnaround. No gimmicks, no tricks, just serious, fundamentally sound football. On both sides of the field. He would be the steady captain they need to right the ship.
Whittingham stepped down from Utah, but he also claimed he is not retired. Simply entering the transfer portal. Whittingham stated in his final press conference that he would answer the phone if it rang from the right people. Michigan might in fact be, "the right people".
Michigan can also offer Whittingham something he has not had to this point. Much deeper pockets and a run in the Big Ten to solidify his hall of fame candidacy, eventually. He was successful at Utah with a career record of 177-88 and he never had the recruiting reach Michigan does. His old school nature would serve Michigan well following the dismissal of Sharrone Moore. Whittingham’s strengths and familiarity with defense would ensure Michigan would be stout. Michigan has been in the hunt for the last few six years or so. Hiring Whittingham is the best way to ensure that continues, if not improves.
Michigan needs to not worry about if their next coach is Mr. Right. They need to consider that Whittingham might be Mr. Right Now… and also Mr. Right in the immediate future. Even if it's just for this contract or for a select period of time. Michigan should not go for the high-profile, attractive hire that moves the needle on social media. They need to get the best person to fix what ails them. At this point in the process, no one seems more suited to do that for Michigan than Whittingham.
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