A significant shift in the college football coaching carousel will, if completed, send ripples through the Big 12. Longtime Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham is expected to be announced as Michigan’s next head football coach as soon as Friday afternoon, according to NBC Sports’ Nicole Auerbach.
Whittingham, 66, stepped down from Utah on December 12 after 21 seasons at the helm of the Utes, but left the door open to other opportunities, saying he was “in the transfer portal.”
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While Whittingham’s departure from Utah was already set in stone, his quick return to the coaching ranks would have immediate implications for Colorado football. The Buffaloes and Utes, now conference foes in the Big 12, have been rivals for years, and Whittingham established the Utes as one of the league’s most consistent programs. His move to Michigan would likely prompt many Utah coaches and players to follow Whittingham to Ann Arbor, leaving the Utes vulnerable.
There are already rumblings that current Utah offensive coordinator Jason Beck and BYU’s defensive coordinator Jay Hill would be Whittingham’s top choices for the same roles at Michigan.
For Deion Sanders and Colorado, the timing is notable. Colorado is in the midst of retooling its roster and staff, including offensive changes designed to jumpstart a program coming off a 3-9 season. An overhaul at Utah could make the Buffs an attractive destination for players.
As of this writing, ESPN’s Pete Thamel reports that Whittingham has agreed to a five-year deal to become Michigan’s next head coach, with the announcement set for Friday evening.
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This article originally appeared on Buffaloes Wire: Kyle Whittingham expected to become Michigan head coach
