Biff Poggi has announced he won’t return to Michigan in 2026. He stepped in as the interim head coach for three games in 2025, leading the team to the Citrus Bowl against Texas.
“This isn’t a rebuild,” Poggi stated, emphasizing the importance of the players. He praised Kyle Whittingham, the new head coach, for his abilities. Whittingham comes to Michigan after a successful 21 years at Utah.
Poggi coached the Wolverines to a 2-0 record while stepping in for Sherrone Moore, who was suspended and later fired due to a scandal. Poggi had significant wins, including a staggering 63-3 victory over Central Michigan and a close 30-27 win against Nebraska.
During the coaching search, Poggi expressed interest in the permanent head coach position. However, Michigan ultimately chose Whittingham, who boasts a remarkable record of 177 wins and 88 losses at Utah. He achieved three conference championships and led the Utes to eight seasons with ten or more wins.
Whittingham was formally introduced as Michigan’s head coach just before the Citrus Bowl. His first goal is to keep the current players and recruits as the NCAA transfer portal opens on January 2. He also needs to finalize his coaching staff quickly.
“Most of the staff will be announced soon,” he shared. “I expect about 90% to be in place by this weekend.”
As the team prepares for the transfer portal, it’s an exciting time for Michigan. With Whittingham’s successful track record, fans are hopeful for a bright future.
In recent years, college football has seen a surge in coaching transitions, with 35% of FBS schools changing head coaches this year alone, according to a study by the American Football Coaches Association. This trend reflects the increasing pressure on programs to perform at high levels consistently.
Therefore, the eyes of the college football world will be on how Whittingham builds his program, especially in a competitive environment like the Big Ten.
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