Utah football coach Kyle Whittingham will be wearing blue next year.
The Utes’ longtime leader has agreed to a deal to be the next head coach of the University of Michigan, the school announced on Friday night. ESPN reported that the deal is for five years.
Whittingham, 66, announced earlier this month that he would be stepping down as Utah’s head coach after two decades. But he 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.”
Few programs could have been a more intriguing caller than Michigan, a perennial Big Ten powerhouse and recent national champion that finds itself suddenly in need of rehabilitating its image.
The Wolverines won nine games this season, but fired coach Sherrone Moore on Dec. 10 for allegedly having an inappropriate relationship with a staffer. He was arrested later that night for allegedly threatening the woman at her apartment. Michigan’s interim coach, Biff Poggi, described the program as a “malfunctioning organization.”
Whittingham has been a model of consistency in college football, leading the Utes for the last 21 years. In that time, he has amassed a record of 177-88.
“I am grateful to our administration, staff, players, and coaches for their commitment, trust, and hard work throughout the years,” Whittingham said in a statement released by Utah. “This university and football program mean a great deal to me, and I am proud of what we have built together. …
“I also want to thank our fans. Your loyalty, passion, and support have been second to none. Whether at Rice-Eccles Stadium or representing Utah across the country, you have made this time special and created memories that will last a lifetime.”
Whittingham had said the Las Vegas Bowl on New Year’s Eve would be his final game as Utah’s coach. The Athletic, however, said that he would tell his players on Friday that he was leaving for Michigan. He would then join the Wolverines at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando to begin preparations for next season.
“The University of Utah is grateful for Coach Whittingham’s incredible contributions over his long tenure at the university, and we wish him and his family all the best with this next step in his career,” Utah athletics director Mark Harlan said in a statement. “After discussions with Coach Whittingham, his representatives and the University of Michigan, we have granted their request to allow him to join the Michigan program immediately.”
Defensive coordinator Morgan Scalley will take over as head coach and guide the Utes in the bowl game.
“Utah will always hold a special place in my heart, and I wish Coach Scalley and the program a smooth transition and continued success moving forward,” Whittingham said. “Thank you for everything.”
Whittingham’s hire will have a ripple effect in Utah, where coaches, players and recruits are expected to begin shuffling as a result.
According to CBS Sports, Utah offensive coordinator Jason Beck is a target to be Whittingham’s offensive coordinator with the Wolverines. Utah’s offense ranked second in the Big 12 this season.
BYU defensive coordinator Jay Hill, meanwhile, has been mentioned as another local coach who could follow Whittingham to Ann Arbor.