Michigan Football Earns Top Marks for 2026 Coaching Hires

Wolverines land veteran Utah coach Kyle Whittingham to lead program

Feb. 17, 2026 at 2:39pm

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Michigan football has been praised for its 2026 coaching hires, earning an 'A' grade from CBS Sports for bringing in former Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham to lead the program. Whittingham, who spent 21 seasons at Utah, is bringing several assistants and players with him to Ann Arbor as he looks to revitalize the Wolverines.

Why it matters

Michigan's coaching change comes at a critical time, as the program has struggled in recent years and is looking to regain its status as one of the top programs in college football. Whittingham's track record of success at Utah, along with the experienced staff he is assembling, has experts optimistic that the Wolverines can return to prominence under his leadership.

The details

Whittingham was hired on December 26, 2025, after the firing of previous head coach Sherrone Moore. He is bringing offensive coordinator Jason Beck and defensive coordinator Jay Hill with him from Utah, along with five players from the Utes' roster. Whittingham also kept Michigan's 2026 recruiting class intact, which is currently ranked 12th nationally.

  • Whittingham was hired on December 26, 2025.
  • CBS Sports released its 2026 college football coaching carousel grades on February 13, 2026.

The players

Kyle Whittingham

The new head coach of the Michigan Wolverines, Whittingham spent 21 seasons as the head coach at the University of Utah, where he compiled a 177-101 record and led the Utes to numerous bowl game appearances.

Jason Beck

The new offensive coordinator for the Michigan Wolverines, Beck is joining the staff from the University of Utah, where he served as the offensive coordinator under Whittingham.

Jay Hill

The new defensive coordinator for the Michigan Wolverines, Hill is also joining the staff from the University of Utah, where he served as the defensive coordinator under Whittingham.

Bryce Underwood

The starting quarterback for the Michigan Wolverines, Underwood is expected to thrive in the offense run by new offensive coordinator Jason Beck.

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What they’re saying

“It wasn't exactly a stunner that Kyle Whittingham stepped down at Utah -- he had been on retirement watch annually as he got older -- but it was surprising that he ended up back in the game at Michigan. His identity should play well with the Wolverines, and the offense run by Jason Beck is tailor-made for Bryce Underwood.”

— Richard Johnson, CBS Sports Writer (CBS Sports)

What’s next

The Wolverines will look to build on their strong 2026 recruiting class and integrate Whittingham's new coaching staff as they prepare for the upcoming season.

The takeaway

Michigan's hiring of Kyle Whittingham as its new head coach has been widely praised, with experts believing he can bring stability, experience, and a proven system to the Wolverines as they look to return to the top of the college football landscape.