US EditionDocuments Reveal Kyle Whittingham Intended to Stay at Utah Before Michigan Move
Whittingham rejected Utah's terms over salary and control, signed a $13.5 million separation deal, then joined Michigan with multiple assistants and players, per university sources.
- On Dec. 12, Kyle Whittingham left Utah after signing an agreement allowing out-of-state hires, then accepted Michigan's head-coaching job shortly afterward.
- Negotiations over salary, NIL, and program control broke down between Whittingham and Utah, as Tollner sought raises and Utah offered $8 million with recruiting control to Scalley.
- The University of Utah enclosed a check for $8,013,808.20 with a letter from athletic director Mark Harlan expressing disappointment over Whittingham's recruiting actions to Michigan.
- Whittingham's move to Michigan included several staff hires and player transfers, bringing six assistant coaches including offensive coordinator Jason Beck and five players including four-star signee Salesi Moa, with a five-year deal averaging $8.2 million annually.
- The contract underscores Whittingham's 32 seasons and includes a Jan. 9, 2028 bar on Utah employment, ending his 21-year run while the University of Utah avoided legal battles and maintained payments.
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The behind-the-scenes drama that led to Kyle Whittingham bolting Utah for Michigan
Yet two weeks after beating Kansas and completing a 10-win regular season, he announced his resignation from the University of Utah and just a couple of weeks later signed a deal to become the head football coach at the University of Michigan.
Documents reveal Kyle Whittingham intended to stay at Utah before Michigan move
Utah Utes head coach Kyle Whittingham walks along the sidelines during a game against Iowa State at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024. | Isaac Hale, Deseret News. SALT LAKE CITY (KSL.com) — Former Utah football coach Kyle Whittingham intended to return as the program’s head coach before announcing a decision to step down, according to documents obtained by KSL. At the conclusion of the 2025 season, Whittingham had …
Utah Athletic Director Threw A Temper Tantrum Because Kyle Whittingham Stole Football Coaches
Utah athletic director Mark Harlan probably did not expect his letter of displeasure to be made public when he wrote to Kyle Whittingham back in January. The 56-year-old was not happy with how the former college football coach in Salt Lake City assembled his new staff at Michigan. He claims it was a violation of their separation agreement. Right or wrong, the Utes chose not to pursue any further legal action regarding a breach of contract becaus…
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