No coach would want to take over a football team in chaos. In fact, many coaches decline such jobs. But that was not the case with Michigan Wolverines head coach Kyle Whittingham, who took over a team in the midst of controversies. Despite taking on the challenge, he has now admitted to facing consequences as a result of the actions of his predecessors.

“I think we did a really good job retaining talent on the roster,” Kyle Whittingham said on Big Ten Football YouTube channel. “Anytime you go through a coaching change, especially one that has a little bit of drama to it, there’s a lot of opportunity for exodus of players, but I think we held on to a good portion of those guys. We lost a few guys we wish we wouldn’t have. But overall, I think we did a really good of retention.”

With the Wolverines freshly coming off a national championship victory, Sherrone Moore had big shoes to fill after his promotion from tight ends coach to head coach. But before the program could get a College Football Playoff appearance from him, a scandal was discovered instead. Despite being married, Moore had an alleged inappropriate relationship with Paige Shiver. He initially denied the allegations, but later parted ways with the program after the details came to light.

Prosecutors had claimed that he barged into Shiver’s home with threats of self-harm. As a result, he ended up in court and was dealt with felony home invasion charges and two misdemeanors. Eventually, in April, Moore was sentenced to 18 months of probation. He was also ordered to continue mental health treatment, abstain from intoxicants, and maintain no contact with the victim. But the consequences that followed didn’t just affect Moore or his family.

The Wolverines were affected both on and off the field as a result. The program was immediately in urgent search for a replacement. Also, several key players were unwilling to remain with the program, seeing how the program was becoming a hub of college football controversies. Just before Moore’s scandal, former head coach Jim Harbaugh, staffer Conor Stalions, and Sherrone Moore were penalized by the NCAA for a widespread in-person scouting and sign-stealing operation. And for many players, Moore’s scandal with Silver was the final straw.

In Utah, there was no scandal, but rather a disagreement. According to reports, Whittingham had actually hoped to stay with the program and even sought to get a new one-year deal worth $9 million along with an increased NIL and staff salary support. But Utah countered with an $8 million offer and also wanted Whittingham to hand over several key responsibilities to then-defensive coordinator Morgan Scalley as part of the school’s succession plan. He declined, and then Utah followed with Scalley as the head coach. Whittingham eventually departed with a $13.5 million separation agreement before accepting the Michigan job.

The way things unfolded under Moore led to several players entering the transfer portal as soon as they had the chance. Justice Haynes, Jayden Sanders, Elijah Dotson, and Cole Sullivan are some top talents Whittingham admitted the Wolverines still wish they had. But with Whittingham’s pull, he was also able to bring him some top talents from Utah, including Salesi Moa, who was a class of 2026 recruit at Utah before moving to Ann Arbor. Altogether, almost 20 players came in via the transfer portal.

Regardless of the losses, one huge gain for Whittingham was quarterback Bryce Underwood. Whittingham met Underwood at a time when there were intense rumors about him exiting the program via the portal. However, Whittingham took the No. 1 overall player in the 2025 class as his ultimate project. On his very first day at work, Whittingham spent almost an hour convincing Underwood to stay. And when the transfer portal opened, Underwood’s mind was made up to remain in Ann Arbor.

Whittingham’s indirect response to Eric Weddle

Underwood’s time with the Wolverines has not been without its cons. The quarterback, whose NIL deal became the most expensive freshman deal in college football history, has been under scrutiny for putting up performances that are significantly less than his price tag. Recently, former Utah Utes player Eric Weddle, whose son is being recruited by Michigan, criticized Underwood and his talent and claimed he would be benched in the coming season. Well, Whittingham has contrary plans.

“His physical profile and skill set is incredible,” Whittingham said of Underwood in the same interview. “Coach Beck, our offensive coordinator, is a master at putting players in positions to succeed, which is the essence of coaching. Putting players in position to succeed and helping them accomplish that, and we will play to Bryce’s skill set. There’s no doubt about it. He’s a dual threat without a doubt. We will have an offense that is geared towards what he does best.”

Weddle was Whittingham’s player at Utah between 2003 and 2006. And if the former NFL safety would show no respect to Underwood’s talent. Now that his former coach is in support of the QB, perhaps he would respect his coach’s decision.