Michigan QB Coach Koy Detmer Jr. Reflects on Joining Wolverines Staff

Detmer discusses his journey to Ann Arbor, his coaching philosophy, and his relationship with the Michigan program.

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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In a recent interview on the In the Trenches podcast, new Michigan quarterbacks coach Koy Detmer Jr. opened up about his path to joining the Wolverines' staff. Detmer discussed his excitement about being in Ann Arbor, the call from Kyle Whittingham that brought him to Michigan, his memories of playing at the Big House with BYU, and his close connection to the program through his father's history. He also shared insights into his coaching philosophy, his goals for developing the Wolverines' quarterbacks, and the influence of former QB coach Jason Beck. Detmer also touched on head coach Kyle Whittingham's tough, family-oriented approach, and confirmed that his signature mustache is here to stay in Ann Arbor.

Why it matters

Detmer's hiring represents an important addition to Michigan's coaching staff as the program looks to build on its recent success. As the son of a former NFL quarterback, Detmer brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the quarterback room, and his connection to the Michigan program through his father's history adds an intriguing personal element to his new role.

The details

Detmer, who previously served as an assistant at BYU, was brought on to the Michigan staff by head coach Kyle Whittingham after the departure of former QB coach Sherrone Moore. In the podcast interview, Detmer discussed the whirlwind process of joining the Wolverines, including the call from Whittingham that sealed the deal. Detmer also reflected on his past experiences at Michigan, including playing at the Big House with BYU, as well as the stories his father shared about his own history with the program.

  • Detmer joined the Michigan coaching staff in January 2026 after previously serving as an assistant at BYU.
  • Detmer's father, Ty Detmer, played against Michigan in the 1990s, including a memorable game in 1996 that Koy Detmer discussed in the interview.

The players

Koy Detmer Jr.

The new quarterbacks coach for the University of Michigan football team, who brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the position.

Kyle Whittingham

The head coach of the University of Michigan football team, who brought Detmer on to his staff.

Ty Detmer

Koy Detmer's father, who played against Michigan in the 1990s as the quarterback for BYU and shared stories of those experiences with his son.

Jon Runyan Jr.

A former Michigan offensive lineman who played with Koy Detmer Jr. when they were younger and has reconnected with him since Detmer joined the Wolverines' staff.

Bryce Underwood

The Michigan quarterback that Detmer is tasked with developing, who Detmer described as a driven and talented young player.

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What they’re saying

“Absolutely. First, thank you for having me, and man, just fired up to be here in Ann Arbor. Finally got to see a little bit more of Ann Arbor. When we first got here, man, it was a whirlwind, and we're just, you know, retaining the team, recruiting, doing all that stuff, and so it was hotel and facility, hotel, facility, but man, Ann Arbor, it's beautiful, and a lot to be excited about, and so just grateful for the opportunity and fired up to be here.”

— Koy Detmer Jr., Michigan Quarterbacks Coach (In the Trenches Podcast)

“Yeah, it was a crazy week there at the Vegas Bowl. So we're there, and you're just kind of up in the air, not sure what's going to happen, what's kind of going on, and you're kind of seeing what Coach Beck's going to do and that sort of thing, and then when we finally got the call from Coach Whittingham, man, it was just a true blessing, you know, and just super grateful and appreciative of Coach Whittingham and believing in us and myself and bringing me along, and so, again, just very grateful for him, and it was a surreal experience. Just being able to say, man, we're going to go coach the University of Michigan and be a part of such a historic, historic program.”

— Koy Detmer Jr., Michigan Quarterbacks Coach (In the Trenches Podcast)

“Totally. He's a tough son of a gun now. And if you're going to be in this building, both player and coach, you better be tough, and there's no soft guys walking around this building. Coach is tough. He's gritty. Obviously, he's done it for so long and been so successful.”

— Koy Detmer Jr., Michigan Quarterbacks Coach (In the Trenches Podcast)

What’s next

Detmer and the Michigan coaching staff will continue to work with the team's quarterbacks, including Bryce Underwood, as they prepare for the upcoming spring practices and the 2026 season.

The takeaway

Koy Detmer Jr.'s addition to the Michigan coaching staff brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the quarterback room, as well as a personal connection to the program's history. His commitment to developing players both physically and mentally, combined with his alignment with head coach Kyle Whittingham's tough, family-oriented approach, suggests he will be a valuable asset in helping the Wolverines continue their recent success.