Michigan students surprised and disappointed by Sherone Moore news
December 13, 2025: University of Michigan students and alumni react to details of the firing and arrest of University of Michigan football coach Sherone Moore.
Michigan State is finalizing a deal with Utah coach Kyle Whittingham as its next head football coach, a person familiar with the situation confirmed to the Detroit Free Press. The person spoke to the Free Press on condition of anonymity because the hire is not official.
The expected move concludes a relatively swift investigation that began after former coach Sherone Moore was fired for cause earlier this month.
Whittingham, who led Utah State for 21 years, announced on Dec. 12 that he would step down as Utah coach after the Las Vegas Bowl on Dec. 31.
Whittingham, 66, told reporters on Dec. 18 that he has no intention of retiring and is “in the transfer portal.”
He took over after Urban Meyer left for Florida and compiled a 177-88 record in 20 years in Salt Lake City. Whittingham, a Brigham Young graduate who has spent his entire career coaching in the West across the Continental Divide, will be a capable collaborator to guide Michigan’s program out of this turmoil.
Whittingham projects him to be a safe, transitional choice who can keep the floor respectable at Michigan, while recognizing his ceiling won’t reach the top of the Big Ten.
Whittingham led the Utes in three different conferences (Mountain West, Pac-12, Big 12) and proved to be a consistent winner. He won the Mountain West once (2008) and the Pac-12 twice (2021 and 2022).
He last coached outside of Utah in 1993, when he was defensive coordinator at Idaho State University. His place in Utah history is secure, but his tarnished record against ranked opponents raises questions about whether he can reach the level Michigan covets.
Whittingham is making a notable departure from the school’s traditional recruiting of football players.
Five of Michigan’s seven head coaches since Bo Schembechler retired in 1990 have had previous ties to the program, including former players in Jim Harbaugh and former assistant coaches such as Gary Maurer, Lloyd Carr, Brady Hoke and Moore.
The only other outside hire during that period was Rich Rodriguez, who went 15-22 from 2008 to 2010.
Although Harbaugh won on-field victories, including a national championship in 2023, the end of his tenure was marred by two NCAA investigations that resulted in two suspensions, two show-cause penalties that run through 2038, and a $30 million fine for the school.
Moore was also suspended twice during his time at the University of Michigan. Moore was suspended for one game in 2023, when he was an assistant, for being involved in recruiting violations. Mr. Moore is also suspected of being involved in the school’s signature stamping operation. He served two of his three-game suspension in 2025 and was scheduled to miss the team’s opening game in 2026 before his dismissal. He also received a two-year show cause penalty.
Michigan State announced the firing of Moore on December 10, citing an inappropriate relationship with a staff member.
