Urban Meyer praises Kyle Whittingham’s Michigan hire, calls new rivalry 'ironic but fitting'

Jeff Hauser

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Urban Meyer praises Kyle Whittingham’s Michigan hire, calls new rivalry 'ironic but fitting' image

Urban Meyer didn’t hide his pride when Michigan hired his longtime friend Kyle Whittingham as head coach. While on FOX Sports' "Wake Up Barstool", the former coach said it was “special” to see Whittingham land one of college football’s biggest jobs. Even if it puts him opposite another of Meyer’s closest friends, Ryan Day, the Wolverines made a good hire. 

“You’ve got two of my guys coaching in The Game,” Meyer said. “Kyle and I go all the way back to Utah, and Ryan has done an incredible job at Ohio State. I’ll probably take a hiatus that week and just enjoy watching two elite coaches go at it.”

Whittingham served as Meyer’s defensive coordinator at Utah before taking over the program in 2005. The pair have remained close ever since, often trading advice and philosophy, something Whittingham acknowledged at his Michigan introduction.

“I don’t know if Urban Meyer’s a four-letter word in this room,” Whittingham joked. “But Urban and I are very tight. I got some counsel from him — he’s been a few places — and he’s always preached the importance of hiring people you trust.”

Whittingham’s move to Michigan reunites him indirectly with the Big Ten, where Day’s Buckeyes have dominated the past two seasons. Though Meyer insists he’ll stay neutral, the Hall of Fame coach admitted it’ll be strange seeing his proteges on opposite sidelines.

“Off the field, they’re family,” Meyer said. “On the field, it’s business. That’s what makes The Game what it is.”

Whittingham will try to stay out of the way as much as possible as his team prepares for the matchup vs. The Texas Longhorns. Kickoff is slated for 3 p.m. ET on New Year’s Eve live on ABC.

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Editorial Team