Kyle Whittingham Admits to This Big Mistake at Utah

Kyle Whittingham has built a legacy at Utah that’s going to stand the test of time. He’s been one of the most consistent head coaches in college football, and he’s done it at a place where consistency doesn’t just happen. Still, even legends slip up, and Whittingham admitted this week that he made a pretty big mistake.

“I signed a five-year contract. I made a mistake in Utah,” Whittingham said during his press conference at Michigan on Sunday. “They started asking me about retirement, and I started answering questions and giving my own thing. I don’t think I’m that old. I’m 66, but it’s not that old. I feel like I got enough energy and juice to see this through.”

Hard Feelings at Utah

It’s clear that Whittingham was not thrilled with how his two-decade tenure ended in Salt Lake City. He was the best coach in program history, going 177-88 at Utah, was fresh off a third-place finish in the Big 12 in 2025 with a 10-2 record, but also felt the nudge to move on. His defensive coordinator, Morgan Scalley, was named the coach-in-waiting in the summer of 2024. But no one knew exactly when he was going to take over the top post.

But then, when Whittingham did step down earlier this month, it became clear this was not something he, or those around him, were on board with. Whittingham’s own son admitted shortly after his retirement that his dad may not be done, saying, “He still has that fire and that desire to do something in some capacity to help some team win.”

“Some team”? Well, it turns out that some team was one of the most historic programs in college football: The Michigan Wolverines. And he can thank Sherrone Moore for that as well.

Whittingham might be 66, but he has always been a young 66. And now, he gets to take over one of the blue bloods of the sport. Oh, and he’s doing it while reportedly getting set to raid some of the best coordinators in the Big 12, with BYU defensive coordinator Jay Hill expected to join his staff, and Utah offensive coordinator Jason Beck a reported target for the same role in Ann Arbor.

It sure doesn’t seem like a coach that was ready to slow down. And he’s clearly got a renewed sense of energy and enthusiasm. Michigan’s gain may be the Big 12’s loss.