Ducks Attack Message Board Forum

various sources indicate thus

Yeah, thought for sure he was riding his cycle into the sunset. Good for him, but I’m sure the Utah fanbase is shocked and upset as well.

It will be interesting to hear the real reason he is not at Utah any longer

bellsduck wrote: Fri Dec 26, 2025 3:54 pm It will be interesting to hear the real reason he is not at Utah any longer

Yeah, I'd like to know, too.

He could build a powerhouse at Michigan, as he wouldn't have some of the limitations he had at Utah. He could regularly bring in Top 10-15 recruiting classes and compete for the Big-10 title every year.

Is the Big-10 becoming the new SEC?

I believe the story behind the Utah exit is that he originally stated he intended to retire at 65, and Scalley was the HC in waiting. 65 came and went, and Whittingham still had not intention of retiring, so they essentially pushed him out the door rather than risk losing Scalley. Risky decision. We'll see how it pays off.

Michigan really lucked into an upgrade after Sherrone Moore with Coach Whittingham. He always seems to run a clean program and he shouldn't be lacking in funding now. Utah really messed up by pushing Whittingham out when he's still a good coach because Scalley was threatening to leave.

From a culture standpoint, they couldn't have made a better hire. I agree with all the PR saying he will lead them out of the yuck into a healthy program again. The part I am not sure about is how successful he will be in Michigan. Seems like a lot more expectation than he is used to.

To me, this is the equivalent of Bellotti having actually followed through and gone to WSU for Moos after he stepped aside for Chip.

Whittingham is a Top 5-15 coach, he is not an elite Top-5 coach. He is the James Franklin of the Rockies.

That is probably what UM needs though to move on from the Harbaugh and friends era.

I wouldn’t mind making a run at Underwood if Dante declares.

bdkipe wrote:To me, this is the equivalent of Bellotti having actually followed through and gone to WSU for Moos after he stepped aside for Chip.

Whittingham is a Top 5-15 coach, he is not an elite Top-5 coach. He is the James Franklin of the Rockies.

That is probably what UM needs though to move on from the Harbaugh and friends era.

I wouldn’t mind making a run at Underwood if Dante declares.

Same as Bellotti to WAZZU? Don’t think so. Michigan is miles above WAZZU in every way. I love Whit, but the spotlight is going to be red hot compared to what he’s been accustomed to.

UofDuck wrote: Sat Dec 27, 2025 6:19 pm Same as Bellotti to WAZZU? Don’t think so. Michigan is miles above WAZZU in every way. I love Whit, but the spotlight is going to be red hot compared to what he’s been accustomed to.

You're right that's its not the same as WSU, but I also think that helps explain why MB didn't leave for Pullman because of the difficulty in winning there and that's why KW is going to Ann Arbor.

He's making a pretty penny and in the NIL age, his recruitment pitches can be more about his history, the program's history, chance to win it all and what the collective is offering.

The B1G right now clearly has the upper hand on the SEC when it comes to HC's.

I didn’t mean WSU is Michigan, I meant that this is much in that same vein of profile of coach stepping aside but not quite being ready to hang it up.

Bellotti was an elite coach and doesn’t get enough credit for what he did for us. Look at his tree…(Peterson, Tedford, Koetter, etc)

Had Bellotti taken the overtures from USC or Ohio State he would have a national championship.

I don’t think Whittingham will get one at UM. Again, he’s Franklin.

Although he’s never had UM’s resources.

bdkipe wrote: Sat Dec 27, 2025 6:14 pm To me, this is the equivalent of Bellotti having actually followed through and gone to WSU for Moos after he stepped aside for Chip.

Whittingham is a Top 5-15 coach, he is not an elite Top-5 coach. He is the James Franklin of the Rockies.

That is probably what UM needs though to move on from the Harbaugh and friends era.

I wouldn’t mind making a run at Underwood if Dante declares.

Bellotti wasn’t his late 60s though.

Think Whittingham will poach the Utah roster or signees?

StevensTechU wrote: Sun Dec 28, 2025 1:32 pm Think Whittingham will poach the Utah roster or signees?

Seeing that Michigan has the number 11 class, and Utah is at 36, he'd be smart to just to focus on retaining what is already there.

Whittingham is taking the band with him. The ol' ball coach is taking his OC, OL, WRs, TEs, and QBs coaches from Utah. Scalley is going to have to completely rebuild the offensive coaching staff at Utah. With that many current coaches going, it wouldn't be surprising to see some Utah players go, as well.