Latest Rumors on Michigan HC Search, Kyle Whittingham Emerging as Potential Target

As Michigan continues to search for a full-time head coach, Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham has reportedly surfaced as a leading candidate.

Per ESPN's Dan Wetzel and Pete Thamel, Whittingham has "emerged as the focus" of the Wolverines' search and a deal could come together if key school officials approve of him as the choice.

The Michigan job came open on Dec. 10 when Sherrone Moore was fired after a university investigation found "credible evidence" that he "engaged in an inappropriate relationship with a staff member."

Biff Poggi, who was an associate on Moore's staff this season, has served as interim head coach while the Wolverines search for a full-time replacement. He will coach the team in the Camping World Stadium Bowl against Texas on Dec. 31.

Thamel said on Wednesday's episode of Get Up that Whittingham, Missouri's Eli Drinkwitz and Washington's Jedd Fisch were all on Michigan's radar as "gettable coaches" for the program.

Whittingham previously announced on Dec. 12 that he would be stepping down as Utah's head coach following the Las Vegas Bowl on New Year's Eve, but The Athletic's Christopher Kamrani and Stewart Mandel reported the 66-year-old wasn't retiring and could pursue other opportunities.

After Kirk Ferentz at Iowa, Whittingham is the longest-tenured FBS head coach with 21 years at Utah. He has been with the Utes for 32 consecutive years dating back to his time as an assistant under Ron McBride (1994 to 2002) and Urban Meyer (2003 to '04).

Whittingham is 177-88 with 17 bowl appearances as Utah's head coach. He led the program to three conference titles and recognition from the NCAA as the 2008 co-national champion with Florida.

Utah has a 10-2 record this season going into its bowl game. It's the program's first 10-win season since 2022.