The Big House is quiet right now, but the fax machines in Ann Arbor are definitely not. If you’ve been following u of Michigan football today, you know things look drastically different than they did even a month ago. We aren't just talking about a few new faces. We are talking about a total identity shift.
Kyle Whittingham is officially the guy. On December 26, 2025, Warde Manuel made it official, bringing in the long-time Utah icon to lead the 22nd chapter of Michigan football history. It’s a five-year deal. It's also a massive gamble on "toughness" over "flash."
Whittingham isn't coming alone, either. He’s essentially moving the Salt Lake City headquarters to Washtenaw County.
The Coaching Carousel Stops Here
Honestly, the speed of this staff build-out has been dizzying. Whittingham didn't waste a second. On January 2nd, he named Jason Beck as the Sanford Robertson Offensive Coordinator. Beck has been around—New Mexico, Syracuse, Virginia—and he’s known for making quarterbacks look a lot better than their recruiting stars suggest.
Then came the defensive side. Jay Hill is the new Lester Family Defensive Coordinator. If that name sounds familiar, it’s because he was the mastermind behind some of those terrifying Utah defenses that made Life in the Big 12 (and Pac-12 before it) a nightmare for offensive coordinators.
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But here’s the kicker. Whittingham kept some of the "Michigan Man" DNA.
Tony Alford is staying. That’s huge. Keeping Alford as the running backs coach and run game coordinator provides the bridge between the Sherrone Moore era and whatever this new version of Michigan football becomes. Lou Esposito is also staying to coach the interior defensive line. It's a "best of both worlds" situation. Or at least, that's the hope.
Who is Coming and Who is Going?
The transfer portal is basically a revolving door at Schembechler Hall right now. Since it opened on January 2nd, the activity has been non-stop.
Let's talk about the big gets:
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- Taylor Tatum: The former Oklahoma running back is a massive addition. He’s got elite speed and SEC-tested vision.
- Colin Hurley: A four-star QB transfer from LSU. He hasn't seen much live action yet, but his arm talent is undeniable.
- Smith Snowden: A corner from Utah who already knows Jay Hill’s system like the back of his hand.
- JJ Buchanan: A tight end/receiver hybrid who led all freshmen in receiving yards at his position last year.
It's not all sunshine, though. The "outgoing" list is long. Over 20 players have hit the portal since the season ended with that 41-27 loss to Texas in the Citrus Bowl. Semaj Morgan to UCLA? That one stung. Prieskorn to Ole Miss? Another tough pill to swallow.
Recruitment and the 2026 Class
Even with the coaching change, the 2026 recruiting class is holding steady. As of mid-January, Michigan sits at No. 12 nationally. That’s actually impressive considering the "coaching change tax" usually drops teams into the 20s or 30s.
Carter Meadows is the crown jewel here. He’s a 6'7" edge rusher out of D.C. who could probably start for half the NFL right now based on frame alone. Then you have Savion Hiter, a bruising back from Virginia who fits the Whittingham "ground and pound" philosophy perfectly.
The strategy is clear. Michigan is targeting length and raw power.
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What to Watch for This Spring
Spring ball is going to be a chaotic mess of "who is that guy?" for most fans. With the portal closing its winter window on January 16, the roster is finally starting to solidify.
The biggest question remains the quarterback room. With Hurley coming in and some younger guys like Brady Smigiel (the 2026 commit) eventually on the horizon, the battle for the starting spot is wide open. Whittingham teams don't need a Heisman winner at QB, but they do need someone who won't turn the ball over.
Michigan hasn't had a "rebuild" in a while. 2025 felt like a hangover. 2026 feels like a new house being built on an old foundation.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans:
- Track the Portal Deadlines: The current window closes January 16. Expect a final flurry of activity this weekend as Whittingham looks to fill the remaining defensive back slots.
- Mark the Spring Game: The date hasn't been set in stone, but usually, it's mid-April. This will be the first time we see Jason Beck's offensive wrinkles in person.
- Watch the NFL Draft Declarations: Marlin Klein has already declared, but keep an eye on the late-round projections for the 2026 class. It affects how many scholarships Whittingham has left to play with in the spring portal window.
The landscape of u of Michigan football today is about adaptation. It’s about seeing if a West Coast veteran can handle the pressure of the Big Ten's elite. One thing is certain: it won't be boring.