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Whittingham Reveals Talks with Meyer on Michigan Job, Ohio State Rivalry
New Michigan coach discusses conversations with former rival Urban Meyer about taking the Wolverines job and the intensity of the Ohio State rivalry.
Mar. 27, 2026 at 3:25am
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New Michigan head coach Kyle Whittingham revealed that he had several conversations with former Ohio State coach Urban Meyer about taking the Michigan job and the intensity of the Michigan-Ohio State rivalry. Whittingham said Meyer, who never lost to Michigan as Ohio State's coach, was fully supportive of Whittingham's move to Ann Arbor and described the rivalry as "a whole other level" compared to the BYU-Utah rivalry that Whittingham experienced.
Why it matters
The Michigan-Ohio State rivalry is one of the most intense in college sports, with the annual matchup between the two programs carrying immense significance. Whittingham's discussions with Meyer, who dominated the rivalry during his time at Ohio State, provide insight into how the new Michigan coach is preparing to take on this challenge and the respect the rivalry commands.
The details
Whittingham and Meyer have been close friends for over 25 years, dating back to when Whittingham was the defensive coordinator under Meyer at Utah. Even as Whittingham was in the process of taking the Michigan job, he says Meyer was "completely on board" and thought it was a "great opportunity in a great spot." Meyer also took the time to explain to Whittingham the intense nature of the Michigan-Ohio State rivalry, telling him it was "a whole other level" compared to the BYU-Utah rivalry that Whittingham had experienced.
- Whittingham was named the new head coach of the Michigan Wolverines in January 2026.
The players
Kyle Whittingham
The new head coach of the Michigan Wolverines, who previously served as the head coach of the Utah Utes.
Urban Meyer
The former head coach of the Ohio State Buckeyes, who never lost to Michigan during his tenure and is considered one of Whittingham's closest friends.
What they’re saying
“He's one of my close friends. We've been friends for going on 25 years. Who better to bounce that off than Urban? So, absolutely had a few conversations. He was all positive, he was all on board. Thought it was a great opportunity in a great spot. There was nothing negative coming from Urban.”
— Kyle Whittingham, Head Coach, Michigan Wolverines
“He said it's intense. He said, 'I know you've been through the BYU-Utah thing for a lot of years but this is a whole other level.'”
— Kyle Whittingham, Head Coach, Michigan Wolverines
What’s next
Whittingham's first priority is getting the program's values installed during spring practice, followed by summer workouts to prepare for the 2026 season. Michigan's first big test will be a non-conference matchup against Oklahoma at the Big House before diving into Big Ten play, but the November 28th showdown against Ohio State will be the main focus.
The takeaway
Whittingham's close relationship with former rival Urban Meyer and Meyer's insights on the intensity of the Michigan-Ohio State rivalry show that Whittingham is well-prepared to take on one of college football's most storied rivalries as the new head coach of the Michigan Wolverines.
