In a whirlwind of coaching changes, Michigan and Michigan State have stirred up the college football landscape with their recent hires. CBS Sports weighed in, giving the Wolverines’ move for Kyle Whittingham high marks, while Michigan State’s pick of Pat Fitzgerald landed as a solid—if less exciting—choice.
This post digs into the details of these coaching shifts, who these new faces are, and what fans might see in the season ahead.
Michigan Wolverines Land Kyle Whittingham
Michigan’s decision to part ways with Sherrone Moore on Dec. 10 surprised a lot of people. Moore was let go after an inappropriate relationship with a staff member, which left the Wolverines scrambling for a proven replacement.
Enter Kyle Whittingham, the longtime Utah head coach. He brings a ton of experience and a pretty impressive track record to Ann Arbor.
Whittingham’s Impressive Tenure at Utah
Whittingham spent 21 seasons leading Utah, putting together a 177-88 record. The Utes won three conference titles under his watch, split between the Mountain West and Pac-12.
His decision to step down on Dec. 12 wasn’t totally out of the blue, considering his age and the yearly rumors about retirement. Still, his quick jump to Michigan caught most folks off guard.
His identity should play well with the Wolverines, and the offense run by Jason Beck is tailor-made for Bryce Underwood, wrote CBS Sports’ Richard Johnson. Whittingham’s knack for strategy and talent development seems like a strong fit for Michigan’s ambitions.
CBS Sports’ Grade and Analysis
Johnson handed Michigan an A for this hire, pointing out Whittingham’s potential to raise the program’s ceiling. Michigan was one of just four schools to get an A, joining Oklahoma State (Eric Morris), UCLA (Bob Chesney), and Virginia Tech (James Franklin).
Whittingham’s first game with Michigan is set for Sept. 5 at home against Western Michigan. There’s a real buzz to see how his experience will play out in the Big Ten.
Michigan State’s Strategic Move: Pat Fitzgerald
Meanwhile, Michigan State made its own waves with a coaching switch. The Spartans fired Jonathan Smith on Nov. 30 after only two seasons, moving fast to hire Pat Fitzgerald, the former Northwestern head coach.
Fitzgerald’s time at Northwestern was a mixed bag—some real highs, some tough stretches—so his hire is getting plenty of chatter.
Fitzgerald’s Northwestern Legacy
Fitzgerald led Northwestern for 17 seasons, with a 110-101 overall record and 65-76 in the Big Ten. He managed three seasons with at least 10 wins and two first-place finishes in the Big Ten West.
But his last two years were rough, going 4-20, which led to his dismissal before the 2023 season.
Fitzgerald made waves at Northwestern by leading the Wildcats to two first-place finishes in the Big Ten West, Johnson points out. Still, there’s a lot of uncertainty—were his struggles just about resources, or is the game moving past him? Michigan State is betting it’s the former, promising more investment in football.
CBS Sports’ Grade and Analysis
Johnson gave Michigan State a B-minus for bringing in Fitzgerald. He acknowledged Fitzgerald’s earlier successes but didn’t ignore the challenges of his final seasons at Northwestern.
The Spartans are hoping that with better support, Fitzgerald can get the team back on track. His first game as head coach is Sept. 5 at home against Toledo—a big chance to start shaping the program’s future.
Michigan State’s Rebuilding Phase
For Michigan State, Fitzgerald’s appointment signals a fresh start. It’s the beginning of a rebuilding phase that, honestly, feels overdue.
There’s talk of more investment and support. Fitzgerald now has a real shot to breathe new life into the Spartans’ program.
He’s known for squeezing the most out of his roster, even when resources are tight. East Lansing will see if that reputation holds up.
Both coaches are getting ready for their debuts on Sept. 5. Fans of Michigan and Michigan State probably haven’t felt this much anticipation in a while.
New hires always bring some hope, right? If you want all the nitty-gritty details, check out the Detroit News article.
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