The University of Michigan announced on December 26, 2025, that the school is hiring Kyle Whittingham as its new head football coach. Whittingham fills the role left by former head coach Sherrone Moore, who was fired on December 10 after allegedly engaging in an "inappropriate" relationship with a staff member. In a court appearance on December 12, Moore was charged with one count of third-degree felony home invasion, one count misdemeanor stalking related to a domestic relationship and one count misdemeanor breaking and entering. The school reportedly authorized an investigation into its athletic department amid the scandal - one of a handful that have rocked the department in recent years. Michigan Coach Sherrone Moore Fired Over 'Inappropriate' Staff Relationship In the meantime, Whittingham will join the Wolverines as their 22nd head football coach and will lead the team in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl on December 31, 2025. Head coach Kyle Whittingham Getty Images "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 in a statement. "Throughout our search, he consistently demonstrated the qualities we value at Michigan: vision, resilience, and the ability to build and sustain championship-caliber teams." Keep scrolling to read more about the new Michigan head coach: Spent 21 years as head coach at University of Utah Whittingham leaves the Utes as the most successful coach in program history, building up 177 wins throughout his two decades at the helm. His marquee season came in 2008, when he led Utah to an undefeated year, capped by a Sugar Bowl win over Alabama. Utah had a winning record in 18 of his 21 seasons as head coach, and hit the 10-win threshold in eight years. Whittingham led the program to 17 Bowl Games, winning 11 of them. Whittingham announced he would be leaving the program earlier in December. "The time is right to step down from my position as the head football coach at the University of Utah," Whittingham said in the announcement. "It's been an honor and a privilege to lead the program for the past 21 years, and I'm very grateful for the relationships forged with all the players and assistant coaches that have worked so hard and proudly worn the drum and feather during our time here. The opportunity to guide so many talented young men as they pursued their goals - both on and off the field, has truly been a blessing." Has won multiple Coach of the Year awards Throughout his tenure at Utah, Whittingham earned three different Coach of the Year awards. After that undefeated 2008 season, he earned the American Football Coaches Association and Bear Bryant Awards, two of the most prestigious awards for a college coach. Kyle Whittingham Getty Images In 2019, he earned the Dodd Trophy, given to the coach whose program represents three pillars of success: scholarship, leadership and integrity. Two sons played for him at Utah Whittingham has four kids - Tyler, Melissa, Alex and Kylie - and 11 grandchildren. His two sons, Tyler and Alex, played football for the Utes during Whittingham's tenure as head coach. Alex currently serves as the assistant defensive line coach for the Kansas City Chiefs. What Did Sherrone Moore Do? Timeline of the Downfall of Ex Michigan Coach Played football at BYU Whittingham graduated from BYU in 1984 and earned his master's degree from the university in 1987. He saw success as a linebacker for the team during his time at the school, earning Defensive Player of the Year accolades. He began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at the school during the 1985-86 seasons.