After a season of turmoil that shook Ann Arbor. Michigan is now betting its future behind one of college football’s most stable hands. Already hailed as one of the best hiring decisions taken by the Michigan Wolverines, Kyle Whittingham is here to stay. It’s Day 1, and he is already garnering attention with a message to the fans.

“Honored to be here,” Kyle Whittingham shared in his very first message to the school’s fans. “Honored to be the football coach of this great university. Can’t wait to get working with our players, getting to know them, and getting Michigan football to where it should be.”

On Friday, the former Utah head coach officially inked a five-year deal with the Wolverines, becoming the latest hire at Ann Arbor. And as per reports, he will make about $8.2 million per year. It is a 75% guaranteed deal.

For years, Michigan has had its hands full, navigating the relentless drama that plagued the program. Be it the Matt Weiss scandal or the recruiting violations. Then came the sign-stealing scandal, followed by the fallout from Sherrone Moore, which left Ann Arbor shaken to its core.

It was clear that Michigan football desperately needed stability.

The 2023 national championship title might have masked those underlying issues for a while. However, it all came crashing down when Sherrone Moore was fired for allegedly having an inappropriate relationship with a Michigan staffer. What followed was a series of decisions that quickly unraveled.

But with Coach Whittingham’s arrival, there is an unspoken sense of optimism riding high at Michigan. With the Citrus Bowl against Texas looming high, the locker room is already excited to meet him. And as per multiple reports, the new coach is expected to join the Wolverines in Orlando, Florida, on December 27 for their preparations to play against Texas.

The football program officially announced the hiring on Friday night.

“I saw his résumé a little earlier today, actually,” QB1 Bryce Underwood said. “So I’m just excited to ask him a few questions, get to that point, and things like that.”

Even Cole Sullivan and Bryson Kuzdzal had great things to say about the coach ahead of the team’s pre-Citrus Bowl practice. The newly hired coach has already met with the players, and as per reports, will hold an introductory press conference on Sunday.

With a 177-88 record over his career, Whittingham has Michigan fans over the moon about how he plans to lead the Wolverines back to a national title-caliber program.

Excitement grows with the arrival of Kyle Whittingham to lead Michigan

The decision to move ahead with the 66-year-old head coach suggests stable leadership, which has been lacking amid the numerous scandals plaguing the program over the years. So, Whittingham seems like the leadership they need.

After all, he has led a scandal-free program that has been winning two-thirds of its games without the attention or resources of West Coast peers like USC and Oregon.

Michigan fans strongly echoed that sentiment after their hopes for a 2025 national title had diminished. Moving towards a bright, stable future, the fan base is absolutely dialed in on the former Utes coach.

Top Stories

Bengals’ Cam Taylor-Britt Sentenced to Jail: Everything We Know About Charges Against Him

Bill Cowher’s Strong Message to Steelers on Firing Mike Tomlin After HC’s Blunt Playoff Message

Pebble Beach Looks Unrecognizable as Harsh Weather Destroys Iconic Golf Course

Bill Belichick & Patriots Abandoned RB Battling Cancer, Then Forced to Join Dolphins

PGA Tour Hands Veteran Pro 1-Year Ban Despite Severed LIV Golf Ties

Phil Mickelson’s LIV Golf Hope Shatters After Akshay Bhatia Decision

“I’ve completely flipped my stance and am all in on Kyle Whittingham,” shared a fan. “Dude just LOOKS like he was meant to coach college football in Ann Arbor lol.”

Coach Whittingham’s hiring came out of nowhere, although speculation had been ripe regarding Michigan eyeing him as a target. However, his path to Michigan only got clear once he stepped down from his position in Utah.

Another user penned, “Please get this man some Michigan swag.” For 21 years, Kyle Whittingham donned the White and Crimson, taking the Utes to excellence. Decades later, he is donning Maize and Blue, and the Michigan Faithful couldn’t be more excited.

Another Michigan fan shared their sentiments. “Let’s get to work, coach, let’s build a winning culture, and compete for a National Championship.”

Fans are optimistic about the future. Chatter has it that supporters have been scanning his social media activities, saying that he hasn’t posted in ten years. With that, his focus has been on developing his program all along.

Others also expressed their sentiments about his hiring. “Coach Whittingham is a class individual,” wrote one person. “I’ve met him a couple of times, and he’s always been genuine. UM made an outstanding hire in my opinion.”

The locker room is already excited to play under his mentorship. Looks like even alumni are rooting for him. “Hope Coach Whitt enjoys Ann Arbor! I know I miss it every day since I graduated.”

It would be interesting to know how Kyle Whittingham brings about change at the University of Michigan. What do you think?