The University of Michigan has made a significant move by appointing Kyle Whittingham, the seasoned coach from Utah, as their new head football coach. He steps in to replace Sherrone Moore, who recently faced considerable controversy.
At 66, Whittingham finalized his agreement with the Wolverines on Friday, taking the reins from Moore, whose tenure ended abruptly amid scandal. Moore was dismissed on December 10 after an investigation into an “inappropriate relationship” with a staff member.
The situation escalated when Moore was arrested on serious charges, including third-degree felony home invasion and stalking. Official charges were filed, accusing him of home invasion, stalking, and breaking and entering.
Whittingham’s recruitment concludes a rapid search for a leader capable of rehabilitating the university’s tarnished image. The university expressed confidence in Whittingham, highlighting his exemplary record both on and off the field as a key factor in their decision.
Whittingham’s hiring, meanwhile, marks the end of a whirlwind search for a coach capable of restoring the university’s battered reputation.
In their official statement, Michigan claimed that Whittingham’s ‘record both on and off the field’ was a major reason for hiring the former Utah head coach.
Michigan has announced the hire of former Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham in the wake of the firing of Sherrone Moore – who has been accused of inappropriate relations with staff
Moore’s career came crashing down after the coach was fired by Michigan and arrested
Michigan president Domenico Grasso said: ‘After speaking with Coach Whittingham and reviewing his record both on and off the field, I am confident he will bring dignity, integrity, and fierce competitiveness to the program, while serving as a powerful role model for our student-athletes and staff.
‘He also places a strong emphasis on the academic mission of college athletics, reflected in a 93 percent graduation rate, among the highest in the college football power conferences. Coach Whittingham is exactly the right fit for the University of Michigan at this time.’
The 66-year-old – who only just recently announced his departure from the school where he worked for over three decades – has agreed to a five year deal to move to Ann Arbor. He’ll earn an average salary of $8.2m per year, with the money 75 percent guaranteed, according to ESPN’s Pete Thamel and Dan Wetzel.
‘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 athletic director Warde Manuel.
Manuel continued: ‘Kyle brings not only a proven track record of success, but also a commitment to creating a program rooted in toughness, physicality, discipline and respect — where student-athletes and coaches represent the university with distinction both on and off the field.’
‘We are honored to lead the outstanding student-athletes, coaches, and staff who represent Michigan Football each day,’ Whittingham said in a statement. ‘Michigan is synonymous with tradition and excellence — both on the field and beyond — and our entire program is committed to upholding those values while striving for greatness together.
‘My family and I are thrilled to join the University of Michigan community, and we look forward to helping our players grow, develop, and reach their highest potential — on the gridiron, in the classroom, and as leaders.’
Before leaving the Utes, Whittingham was the second-longest tenured active coach at one school in FBS football, just behind Iowa’s Kirk Ferentz. In his time with Utah, he won two Pac-12 Championships, a Mountain West Championship and multiple national Coach of the Year awards.
Whittingham coached Utah for over two decades and won multiple Coach of the Year honors
Ex-Michigan head coach Moore’s haunting mugshot after he was arrested earlier in December
Reports indicate that Whittingham’s offensive coordinator at Utah – Jason Beck – will be joining him in his move to the Wolverines.
Whittingham, 66, has been coaching since 1985. He had been at Utah since 1994 – taking over as head coach in 2005 and staying there for 21 seasons.
The coach will not lead Utah in their bowl game, choosing instead to join Michigan ahead of their New Year’s Eve game in the Camping World Bowl against Texas.
Moore’s firing has left the program in flux. Offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey recently departed for Missouri and interim coach Biff Poggi believes the Wolverines could lose as many as 25 players to the transfer portal.
Married father-of-three Moore, 39, was taken into custody earlier this month after allegedly entering a woman’s apartment, confronting her and threatening to kill himself.
Police records show the incident took place at the home of his executive assistant Paige Shiver, hours after Michigan had fired Moore over an ‘inappropriate relationship’ with a staff member.
The former coach was charged with breaking and entering, home invasion and stalking, and spent two nights in jail before he was granted a $25,000 bond and released.
If convicted on all counts, Moore could face up to six years behind bars. He has pleaded not guilty.
Moore has three kids with his wife of 10 years Kelli, who appears to be standing by him
The scandal took another dramatic twist earlier this week, with five women coming forward with claims about awkward exchanges with the coach.
According to The Athletic, the women do not accuse Moore of anything illegal but paint him acting erratically in the days before his firing.
One claims Moore was sending her direct messages on social media on November 1, the day his team beat Purdue 21-16. She thought it was a fake account at first. The Athletic adds that three of the women work in sports media and that another had mutual friends with him.
Reports also claim that Moore would sob in staff meetings and at other times lash out at his coaches in the days before his tenure as head coach came crashing down.
Ellen Michaels, the lawyer who is now representing Moore in response to the criminal charges he is facing, told The Athletic: ‘Sherrone Moore denies any criminal wrongdoing.
‘There is no history of domestic violence, no prior adjudication supporting claims of dangerous conduct, and no judicial determination validating these allegations. This matter will be decided in court based on evidence and due process, not speculation.’
Michaels was contacted by the Daily Mail and offered the chance to add further comment on The Athletic’s reporting.
Moore himself has not spoken publicly since his arrest. He was pictured in public alongside his wife Kelli after his release on bail and she is believed to be standing by him.
