Whittingham signs 5-year deal to coach Michigan

Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham signed a five-year deal to become Michigan's next sideline boss, the Wolverines announced Friday.

The contract will have an average annual salary of $8.2 million and 75% of the deal is guaranteed, according to ESPN's Pete Thamel and Dan Wetzel.

Whittingham informed Utah that he will not coach in the Las Vegas Bowl against Nebraska on Dec. 31, per Thamel and Wetzel. Instead, he will fly to Orlando to begin his duties as Michigan's new coach. The Wolverines are in Florida for the Citrus Bowl, which is on the same day as the Las Vegas Bowl.

Morgan Scalley, who was set to take over the Utes in 2026, will coach Utah in its bowl game. Whittingham announced earlier in December that he planned to step down after 21 seasons at Utah. He is the winningest coach in Utes history with a 177-88 record.

Michigan had been searching for a new head coach since firing Sherrone Moore on Dec. 10 after an investigation found "credible evidence" that he engaged in an inappropriate relationship with a staff member.

"Kyle Whittingham is a well-respected and highly successful head coach who is widely recognized as a leader of exceptional character and principled leadership," Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel said as part of a statement.

The Wolverines were previously linked to Alabama's Kalen DeBoer and Arizona State's Kenny Dillingham. However, DeBoer shut down speculation about him leaving Alabama, saying he is very happy at the school. Dillingham signed a five-year contract with Arizona State after the rumors linking him to Michigan emerged.

Biff Poggi was Michigan's interim coach. He said this week he hoped he could become the permanent coach, stating that he wanted to "fix this program."