Dave Portnoy, the head of Barstool Sports, enthusiastically announced that Michigan is “back” following the hiring of Kyle Whittingham as the university’s new head football coach.
Portnoy expressed his excitement on social media after Michigan secured Whittingham with an impressive five-year, $41 million contract, a move confirmed by the university late Friday night.
This strategic hire aims to rejuvenate Michigan’s football program, which has been under scrutiny since the abrupt dismissal of Sherrone Moore earlier this month.
Moore was terminated on December 10 due to allegations of an “inappropriate relationship” with a staff member, leading to charges of home invasion, stalking, and breaking and entering.
In an energetic video posted to X, Portnoy confessed his prior worries about the team’s future, which were alleviated by the announcement of Whittingham, previously the coach at Utah.
“We are so back. I don’t even know how to handle it,” exclaimed Portnoy.
Barstool Sports boss Dave Portnoy has declared that Michigan is ‘f***ing back’ following the appointment of Kyle Whittingham as their new head football coach
Michigan announced the hire of former Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham on Friday night
Whittingham’s appointment comes in the wake of the firing of Sherrone Moore – who has been accused of inappropriate relations with staff
‘Listen, I was a little worried about this Michigan coaching search, not going to lie. I was saying, ‘I hope we know what we’re doing’ because time is ticking and I’m getting nervous.’
‘And then what happens? Kyle Whittingham. Yes, Kyle Whittingham from Utah. Two decades at Utah – one of the greatest coaches in the history of college football,’ Portnoy continued.
‘He built a powerhouse: tough, physical, Michigan-type football. And now he comes to Michigan?! This isn’t just rebuilding, restarting – this is the beginning of a dynasty. The Michigan ethos is back. This is an upgrade.’
Portnoy did not hold back when addressing the scandalous exit of former coach Moore, who was fired for cause on December 10 following an investigation into an ‘inappropriate relationship’ with a staff member.
‘I never wish ill will on anything,’ Portnoy added. ‘I never want my head coach to be having an affair with his executive assistant and then run into her house with a butter knife and threaten to kill himself in front of her – nobody wants that.’
‘But when you put your head on a pillow, a Michigan pillow at night, you think about how those things shook out. Honestly, it couldn’t have shook out better.’
While Moore was arrested at the home of his executive assistant, Paige Shivers, she has not been officially named as the woman involved in the affair nor the woman he allegedly attacked.
The Barstool founder claimed the move was a sign that the program was returning to its roots, stating: ‘We now have one of the best coaches in the history of college football leading the best program in the history of college football. I am excited, I cannot wait for the future.’
Whittingham coached Utah for over two decades and won multiple Coach of the Year honors
Moore has three kids with his wife of 10 years Kelli, who appears to be standing by him
‘The past is in fact onward and upward. We have the best coach in the conference, I can’t be more excited. Congrats everybody who made this possible.’
Portnoy followed his video with a post claiming the search was handled with ‘top class’ ethics compared to other rival programs.
‘I got to be honest. Never been prouder to be a Michigan Man. The way we conducted this coaching search is just top class stuff,’ he wrote.
‘So many schools (LSU) have no morals and will recruit active coaches. We could have stolen Deboar or Dillingham. But it’s not the right thing to do.’
‘It’s not the Michigan Man thing to do. At Michigan we waited for a coach who was free and clear. It’s still about the kids. It’s still about doing things the right way. The Michigan Man way. Very proud.’
University officials echoed the sentiment regarding a fresh start, with president Domenico Grasso stating that Whittingham will bring ‘dignity, integrity, and fierce competitiveness’ back to the Wolverines.
