Utah football coach Kyle Whittingham might not be a free agent much longer.
The Utes’ longtime leader has “emerged as the focus of Michigan’s coaching search,” ESPN reported Friday morning.
“Whittingham’s candidacy is expected to be shared with top Michigan officials on Friday,” ESPN reported, citing unnamed sources. A deal could be finalized “in the near future if they approve.”
Earlier this month, Whittingham announced that he would be stepping down as Utah’s head coach after two decades. But the 66-year-old quickly made it clear that he wasn’t ready to retire.
“If my phone rings, I will answer it,” he said. “And if I like who’s calling, we’ll see.”
Whittingham has the second-longest tenure of any active head coach in college football and has won a program-best 177 games during his time with the Utes. That consistency could be attractive for officials at Michigan, where Wolverines coach Sherrone Moore was fired and arrested earlier this month.