Michigan Makes Major Move After Ex-Coach Sherrone Moore's Firing and Arrest
The University of Michigan made headlines for all the wrong reason just two weeks ago when it fired Sherrone Moore in the wake of an inappropriate relationship with a member of his staff and subsequent arrest.
Now, the school is making headlines again, but in a much better light.
The school officially announced on Friday the hiring of former Utah Utes football coach Kyle Whittingham as its next football coach. Whittingham retired from his longtime role at the University of Utah, only to unretire weeks later.
That being said, in hiring Whittingham, Michigan made a huge splash in the coach they chose to replace Moore, who faces a mountain of charges. Whittingham spent 22 seasons as Utah's head coach. Overall, he was there for 32 seasons, boasting a 177-88 record (.688 winning percentage) as a head coach.
????????????????????????????????: Welcome to Michigan, Coach Whittingham! 〽️
— Michigan Football (@UMichFootball) December 27, 2025
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Whittingham now becomes Michigan's 22nd head coach in the program's 146-year history. He reportedly signed a five-year contract worth approximately $41 million, according to the Detroit Free Press.
"Kyle Whittingham is a well-respected and highly successful head coach who is widely recognized as a leader of exceptional character and principled leadership," said Michigan's Athletic Director Warde Manuel. "Throughout our search, he consistently demonstrated the qualities we value at Michigan: vision, resilience, and the ability to build and sustain championship-caliber teams. Kyle brings not only a proven track record of success, but also a commitment to creating a program rooted in toughness, physicality, discipline and respect -- where student-athletes and coaches represent the university with distinction both on and off the field. We are excited to welcome Kyle to the University of Michigan family as he takes the helm of our football program."
Whittingham Retired Just Weeks Ago
Whittingham wasn't pushed out the door. Far from it. And he didn't seem to be tired of coaching. But he left Utah because he didn't want to wear out his welcome, he said.
"Like I said, I’m at peace and I did not want to be that guy that overstayed his welcome with people just saying, 'Hey, when’s this guy gonna leave?'" he said, via On3. "That was not my intention, ever. I hope I didn't do that. I'm sure with some people, I did do that, but the timing to me, the timing is right."
Related: U-M's Paige Shiver Is the Daughter of Veteran Bears Scout, Jeff Shiver
He Replaces the Embattled Moore
It was just two weeks ago that Michigan rocked the sports world when it announced Moore's firing in the wake of a scandal that spiraled out of control and resulted in the former coach's arrest.
On Dec. 10, the school announced that it had fired Moore "with cause, effective immediately." The school, following an investigation, found "credible evidence" that Moore engaged in an inappropriate relationship with a former executive assistant.
Related: Fired Michigan Coach Sherrone Moore Charged With Felony
Shortly after his firing, Moore was arrested after police were called to a home, where he allegedly went off the rails and confronted the female staffer and threatened to harm himself after she "ruined" his life.
The Detroit News later reported that Moore was allegedly “suicidal” and “wielding a knife” after he was fired.
"According to our victim here, he did put a knife to his throat and ran out," an officer reportedly said in police audio. “They’re also advising that when he left the location on their call, he walked out with several knives.”
Moore, who had just completed his second year in a five-year contract, was ultimately charged with home invasion, stalking, and breaking and entering.