Overview
- ESPN reports Whittingham has emerged as the focus of Michigan’s search, with his candidacy expected to be presented to top officials on Friday and a deal possible if approved.
- Whittingham stepped down at Utah but said he is not retiring, and he carries a 177-88 record over 21 seasons with an undefeated 2008 campaign on his résumé.
- He is expected to coach Utah in the Las Vegas Bowl on Dec. 31 and is not expected to coach Michigan in its Citrus Bowl game against Texas.
- Timing is pressing with the NCAA transfer portal opening Jan. 2, and interim coach Biff Poggi has warned the roster could see heavy departures without quick stability.
- Some outlets report agent-level talks and donor backing for a Whittingham hire, though those details are single-sourced and not universally confirmed.