Michigan targets Kyle Whittingham as former longtime Utah coach emerges as Wolverines' leading candi

Former Utah coach Kyle Whittingham has emerged as the lead figure in Michigan's coaching search, sources confirmed to CBS Sports' Matt Zenitz. Whttingham, 66, stepped down in December after 21 seasons leading the Utes, and he left the door open to continuing his legendary coaching career elsewhere. The deal, expected to be finalized on Friday, is for five years, according to ESPN.
Utah offensive coordinator Jason Beck is expected to follow Whittingham to Michigan to assume the same position, while BYU defensive coordinator Jay Hill is expected to be one of the names of interest to fill that role for the Wolverines under the new regime.
Over more than three decades with the Utes, first as an assistant and then as head coach since 2005, Whittingham cultivated a clean image and a winning program. Both factors would make him attractive to the Wolverines, who are seeking to turn the page from a scandal-ridden era without taking a step back on the field.
Michigan is in the midst of an external review focused on its handling of Sherrone Moore, who was fired with cause on Dec. 10 after evidence surfaced that he had an inappropriate relationship with a staff member. Moore, who had been the program's offensive coordinator during Jim Harbaugh's scandal-marred tenure, was subsequently charged with felony home invasion and stalking.
Whittingham's final Utah team finished 10-2 (7-2 Big 12) this past season before the school announced on Dec. 13 that he would be stepping down to make way for head coach-in-waiting Morgan Scalley to begin his tenure. However, Whittingham is still slated to coach the Utes in the Las Vegas Bowl against Nebraska on New Year's Eve.
Utah reached the Rose Bowl in both 2021 and 2022 under Whittingham after winning 11 games in 2019. Arguably his best season with the Utes came in 2008, however, when Utah went 13-0, beat Alabama in the Sugar Bowl and finished No. 2 in the AP poll.
Michigan's search process
Moore's firing came after the early signing period for high school prospects and well before the transfer portal opens on Jan. 2, which eliminated any need for the Wolverines to rush the hiring process.
Though Michigan was a late entrant to what's been a busy coaching carousel, the Wolverines have been the only Power Four school on the market for the past couple of weeks. Given the job's allure as one of the nation's best, the list of names connected to the opening in some capacity was strong.
Among them have been Alabama's Kalen DeBoer, Arizona State's Kenny Dillingham and Louisville's Jeff Brohm. The elevation of interim coach Biff Poggi also loomed as a potential option if the Wolverines struggled to find a suitable candidate. Poggi has been leading Michigan as it prepares to play Texas in the Citrus Bowl on New Year's Eve.
Stabilizing force
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