Honestly, Ann Arbor feels a little different this January. The air is still freezing, but the vibe around Schembechler Hall is electric—and maybe a little bit anxious. We are officially in the Kyle Whittingham era. After the whirlwind hire in late December, the 22nd head coach in Michigan history isn't just "settling in." He is completely gutting and rebuilding the machine.
If you've been following the latest u of m football news, you know the "Those Who Stay" mantra is being put to the ultimate test. It's not just about who's coming in; it’s about who Whittingham managed to lock in the building before the moving trucks arrived.
The Staff Shakeup: A Utah-to-Ann Arbor Pipeline
Whittingham didn't waste a second. On January 7, he officially announced an offensive staff that looks a lot like his successful Utah groups, but with some spicy additions. Jason Beck is the new Offensive Coordinator, and he's bringing a serious resume. He’s joined by Jim Harding (Offensive Line), Micah Simon (Wide Receivers), and Freddie Whittingham (Tight Ends).
It’s not all new faces, though. In a move that probably saved a few recruiting relationships, Tony Alford was retained as the running backs coach and run game coordinator. Keeping Alford was basically essential. You can't lose a guy like that during a transition and expect the ground game to stay elite.
On the flip side, the defense is getting a massive facelift. Jay Hill is the new Defensive Coordinator. He’s a "secondary first" guy, which is a bit of a shift for Michigan fans used to the "trench-warfare-above-all" style. But Hill's results speak for themselves—his BYU units were ball hawks.
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The Portal Chaos: Who's Out and Who's Coming In?
The transfer portal has been a absolute rollercoaster this week. Let’s talk about the secondary. We saw a bit of an exodus with TJ Metcalf, Brandyn Hillman, and Jayden Sanders hitting the portal. It looked scary for a minute.
But then, the counter-punch happened. Michigan landed Chris Bracy, a heavy-hitting safety from Memphis who has already started 11 games in his career. And then there's the big one: Salesi Moa. He’s a top-50 prospect and a versatile athlete who can play receiver or safety. Being the nephew of EDGE coach Lewis Powell certainly didn't hurt our chances there.
The incoming list is actually getting pretty deep:
- Colin Hurley: The LSU transfer QB who was a four-star prospect.
- Taylor Tatum: A high-upside RB from Oklahoma.
- Houston Ka’aha’aina-Torres: A much-needed veteran offensive lineman from Nebraska.
- Smith Snowden: A veteran cornerback from Utah who knows Whittingham’s system inside and out.
It's a "plug and play" strategy. Whittingham is clearly trying to bridge the gap between the old regime and the future without having a "down" year in 2026.
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Recruiting Wins: The 2026 Class is Locked
Despite the coaching change, the 2026 recruiting class held remarkably firm. Michigan inked 27 student-athletes, ranking roughly 11th or 12th nationally depending on who you ask.
The crown jewel is arguably Savion Hiter, a running back out of Virginia. Sherrone Moore (who did a hell of a job holding this together before the transition) said Hiter is the type of player who makes an "immediate" impact. We’re talking about a guy who could be starting by October. Pair him with elite pass rusher Carter Meadows, and the talent floor in Ann Arbor remains incredibly high.
The biggest win, though? Bryce Underwood. Retaining the superstar QB was the "must-do" item on Whittingham's list. If Underwood had left, the 2026 season would have felt like a rebuild. With him, it feels like a reload.
What Most People Get Wrong About the 2026 Season
There’s this narrative that Michigan is going to become "Utah North." While Whittingham is bringing his toughness and his core staff, he’s inherited a roster with much higher raw recruiting stars than he usually had in Salt Lake City.
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The transition to a Jay Hill defense is the thing to watch. Michigan fans love their defensive linemen, but Hill’s scheme relies on a "sticky" secondary that creates turnovers. If players like Rod Moore (who confirmed he’s back for a 6th season!) and Jyaire Hill can adapt to this more aggressive, ball-hawking style, the defense might actually be more explosive than it was under the previous staff.
Actionable Insights for the Season Ahead
If you're looking to stay ahead of the curve, here is what you need to track over the next month:
- Watch the Spring Game Date: Expect an early announcement. Whittingham wants as many eyes on this "new look" team as possible to settle the fans.
- Follow the LFG147 Campaign: This is Michigan’s official push to highlight the "Those Who Stay" players. It’s a great way to see which veterans are truly bought into the new culture.
- Monitor the Interior D-Line: While the secondary is getting the headlines, Michigan still needs one more big body from the portal to replace the depth they lost. If a name pops up from the SEC, expect Michigan to be all over it.
The 2026 season isn't just about winning games; it's about proving that the Michigan culture is bigger than any one coach. With Whittingham at the helm and a roster full of blue-chip talent that actually chose to stay, the Big Ten should still be very, very worried.