The Michigan Wolverines have officially begun assembling Kyle Whittingham’s first full coaching staff as head coach. Several moves have already been announced, with a few holdovers from Michigan’s previous staff, but some spots are still remaining.

Whittingham poached several coaches from his previous stop with the Utah Utes and relied on his coordinators to fill out the rest. This staff will be key in guiding the Wolverines throughout the transfer portal cycle.

Michigan Wolverines 2026 coaching staff

Head coach: Kyle Whittingham

Michigan’s 22nd head coach, Kyle Whittingham, joins the Wolverines from the Utah Utes. Whittingham was 177-88 all-time at Utah with three conference championships, earning AFCA Coach of the Year and Bear Bryant Award recognition in 2008 after a 13-0 season. He won the Bobby Dodd Coach of the Year award in 2019, and won Pac-12 Coach of the Year honors in 2019 and 2021, respectively. Whittingham is one of college football’s most winningest coaches of all time, earning him deep respect all across the country.

Offensive Coordinator: Jason Beck

Offensive coordinator Jason Beck will follow Whittingham from Utah. The Utes were second in FBS in rushing offense, fourth in total offense, and fifth in scoring offense this season. Utah also listed third in the NCAA in third down conversions, and first downs while having the 12th-best red zone offense. The program had five players earn All-Big 12 honors, including All-American and Big 12 Offensive Lineman of the Year Spencer Fano. Overall, the Utes were one of only nine teams across the country to average over 200 yards on the ground and through the air this season.

Defensive Coordinator: Jay Hill

Jay Hill will join Whittingham after spending the 2025 season in the same role with the BYU Cougars. This season, Hill’s defense anchored the team on their way to the Big 12 title game, finishing fifth in red zone defense, seventh in interceptions, tenth in defensive TDs, 14th in turnovers, 19th in third down defense, 21st in scoring defense, and 25th in pass efficiency defense. His defenses are well-known for producing turnovers. Hill also brings head coaching experience, going 68-39 with four Big Sky Championships as the head coach for Weber State from 2014 to 2022.

Special Teams Coordinator: Kerry Coombs

One of three confirmed holdovers from Sherrone Moore’s staff, Coombs will remain as special teams coordinator after Moore hiring him just days before being fired. He most recently served as special teams coordinator and cornerbacks coach at Cincinnati from 2022 to 2024, and before that had two separate stints at Ohio State. Coombs was the Buckeyes’ defensive coordinator in 2020 and 2021 under Ryan Day, and coached cornerbacks and coordinated special teams from 2012 to 2017 under Urban Meyer.

Associate Head Coach/Offensive Line coach: Jim Harding

Another coach following Whittingham from Utah, Harding has developed some of the nation’s top offensive linemen in his career with the Utes. In 12 seasons at Utah, Harding has coached names like Spencer Fano, Caleb Lomu, Garett Bolles, Jeremiah Poutasi, Jordan Agasiva, Jackson Barton, Darrin Paulo, J.J. Dielman Braeden Daniels, and Sataoa Laumea to All-conference selections and NFL Draft picks.

Quarterbacks coach: Koy Detmer Jr.

Detmer will follow Whittingham from Utah, where he served as an analyst working primarily with the quarterbacks. This season, quarterback Devon Dampier finished 35th in passing efficiency, throwing for 2,490 yards and 24 touchdowns while also adding another 835 yards and 10 touchdowns on the ground.

Running Backs coach: Tony Alford

Another remainder from Michigan’s 2025 coaching staff, Tony Alford will remain in place after guiding the most productive piece of the Wolverines’ offense this season. In 2025, running backs Justice Haynes and Jordan Marshall combined for 1,789 yards and 20 touchdowns together on the ground as the most impactful running back tandem in college football. Alford, a dynamic recruiter, also brought in the nation’s No.1 running back in the 2026 class in Savion Hiter.

Wide Receivers coach: Micah Simon

Known as a rising star in the coaching industry, Simon will also follow Whittingham from Utah. A standout BYU wide receiver in the mid-2010s, Simon has followed offensive coordinator Jason Beck from Syracuse to New Mexico and Utah, coaching wide receivers at every stop.

Tight Ends coach: Freddie Whittingham

The brother of head coach Kyle Whittingham, Freddie is one of the top tight ends coaches in the country. He boasts a deep track record, developing standouts like Dalton Kincaid, Brant Kuithe, Dallen Bentley, Cole Fotheringham, Thomas Yassmin, and Caleb Lohner. Whittingham was named the FootballScoop Tight Ends Coach of the Year in 2022.

Defensive Line coaches: Lou Esposito & Lewis Powell

Lou Esposito is the last holdover from Michigan’s previous staff to be announced. While we aren’t sure how the split will officially go here, the belief is that Esposito will serve as defensive tackles coach, while Powell, another coach from Utah, will coach defensive ends. Esposito has played a key role in Michigan developing Mason Graham, Kenneth Grant, Josaiah Stewart, Rayshaun Benny, Derrick Moore, and TJ Guy in his two years with the Wolverines. Powell, meanwhile, has coached Jonah Elliss, Bradlee Anae, and John Henry Daley in his tenure with the Utes.

Linebackers coach: Alex Whittingham

The son of head coach Kyle Whittingham, Alex has held several different roles while spending the last eight seasons working with the Kansas City Chiefs. He has coached every position room under Steve Spagnuolo, working as an assistant and quality control coach. He worked with the Chiefs linebackers from 2020 to 2023, guiding Nick Bolton, Leo Chenal and Drue Tranquill to tremendous seasons that played key roles in the Chiefs’ back-to-back Super Bowl victories.

Cornerbacks coach/Defensive Passing Game Coordinator: Jernaro Gilford

The first BYU coach to follow Jay Hill to Ann Arbor, Gilford served as the Cougars’ cornerbacks coach from 2016 onward. While he doesn’t boast a deep track record of NFL development, his cornerbacks are frequently productive, including Jakob Robinson, who finished his career second in BYU history with 11 interceptions.

Safeties coach: Tyler Stockton

The Wolverines plucked from the Mountain West this time, hiring Boise State co-defensive coordinator Tyler Stockton to run their safety room. He has spent the last two seasons coaching the Broncos’ safeties, coaching Seyi Oladipo to a Second-Team All-Mountain West appearance in 2024 and Ty Benefield to a First-Team appearance in 2025. Boise State finished 15th in the country in passing yards allowed and posted a whopping 14 interceptions this season.

Assistant Wide Receivers coach: Marques Hagans

Marques Hagans spent the 2024 and 2025 seasons coaching wide receivers for the Penn State Nittany Lions, but was not retained by new Penn State head coach Matt Campbell. Hagans worked alongside offensive coordinator Jason Beck at Virginia, coaching players like Olamide Zacchaeus, Canaan Severin, Keeon Johnson, Joe Reed, Keytaon Thompson and Dontayvion Wicks with the Cavaliers.

Other Michigan Wolverines assistant coaches

• Mike Lynch, Assistant Offensive Line (analyst)
• Garrett Clawson, Assistant Special Teams
• David Denham, Assistant Defensive Line
• Fred Jackson, Assistant Running Backs
• Doug Elisaia, Strength & Conditioning Coach
• Ali’i Niumatalolo, Assistant Tight Ends

We will update this story as more coaches are announced.

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