Michigan Football: Turning The Page

Michigan football is entering a new era, and it is for the better. Michigan fans have fond memories of the final years of Jim Harbaughs tenure, which culminated in a national championship, but under Sherrone Moore the program was slipping. When the Sherrone Moore era came to an abrupt ending after the Ohio State game, Michigan needed a fresh start, and that is what former Utah coach Kyle Whittingham will bring to this program. As of this week, the only holdover on the coaching staff is running backs coach Tony Alford who has been elite in his short time in recruiting and developing running backs. Whittinghams selection for offensive coordinator was Jason Beck, who followed Whittingham from Utah. The most important part of Michigan football being nationally competitive next season is the progression of QB Bryce Underwood. Beck is no stranger to talented, athletic quarterbacks. Last season, Beck started Devon Dampier, a junior QB at Utah who threw for 2,490 yards with 24 passing touchdowns, to go along with just over 800 rushing yards. Underwood threw for 2,428 yards 11 touchdowns, but also 9 interceptions. He showed flashes of promise, and also plenty of freshman mistakes. They used Dampier much more in the run game than Michigan did in 2025, but being able to scheme a few runs for Underwood can be an effective way to ease him into games and get him more comfortable. If Beck and former Utah QB’s coach Koy Detmer can get Underwood playing at a consistent level next year it completely changes the outlook of Michigan football in 2025.

Defensively, Whittingham brought in BYU defensive coordinator Jay Hill to replace wink Martindale. Hill led an efficient BYU defense in 2025 that was top 20 in the nation in scoring defense, and held opponents to 57.5% completion percentage. Hill and Whittingham hit the portal hard on the defensive side of the ball, bringing in Utah DE John Henry Daley, who recorded 11.5 sacks and 17.5 tackles for loss in 2025. All conference Utah DB Smith Snowden will bolster the secondary at nickel and Salesi Moa is a versatile DB from Utah that will line up anywhere in the defensive backfield for the Wolverines.

In today’s age of college athletics with NIL and paying players, with the resources Michigan has, Whittingham will be expected to be competitive in 2026 and nationally competitive by 2027 at least. One thing Whittingham is, is consistent, Utah does not have the resources in college football that other schools at the power four level had, yet he was able to have the Utes consistently competitive. Couple coach Whitts consistency with the NIL resources Michigan has, and there is no reason to believe the Wolverines won’t be nationally relevant again soon.