Kyle Whittingham's tenure as Michigan Wolverines head coach has gotten off to a turbulent start, with the team suffering a 15-6 home loss to rival Michigan State after an opening win over Western Michigan that required a controversial Hail Mary.
Whittingham, who spent 20 years as head coach at Utah and more than 30 years on the Utes' staff, was hired late in the coaching carousel after Sherrone Moore's dismissal. His five-year, $41 million contract includes a relatively low 75% buyout clause, meaning Michigan could part ways after one season for $24.75 million.
The Wolverines' offensive struggles have raised concerns among fans and administrators. With a new athletic director set to take over in 2027, Whittingham may lack institutional backing and needs significant improvement to secure a second season.
Michigan now faces a decision: continue with Whittingham and seek a quarterback via the transfer portal, or pay the buyout to pursue a new coaching candidate this offseason.
