Football <\/p>\n
Kyle Whittingham is Michigan\u2019s new head coach, signing a five-year contract with the program on Friday afternoon.<\/p>\n
On Friday night, Michigan sent out a press release announcing the hire, featuring quotes from Whittingham, Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel, and Michigan President Domenico Grasso.<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s what Whittingham had to say.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cWe are honored to lead the outstanding student-athletes, coaches, and staff who represent Michigan Football each day. Michigan is synonymous with tradition and excellence\u2014both on the field and beyond\u2014and our entire program is committed to upholding those values while striving for greatness together. My family and I are thrilled to join the University of Michigan community, and we look forward to helping our players grow, develop, and reach their highest potential\u2014on the gridiron, in the classroom, and as leaders. It\u2019s a privilege to be part of something that inspires pride in every Wolverine fan. Go Blue!\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel\u2019s statement<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cKyle Whittingham is a well-respected and highly successful head coach who is widely recognized as a leader of exceptional character and principled leadership. Throughout our search, he consistently demonstrated the qualities we value at Michigan: vision, resilience, and the ability to build and sustain championship-caliber teams. Kyle brings not only a proven track record of success, but also a commitment to creating a program rooted in toughness, physicality, discipline and respect\u2014where student-athletes and coaches represent the university with distinction both on and off the field. We are excited to welcome Kyle to the University of Michigan family as he takes the helm of our football program.\u201d<\/p>\n Michigan President Domenico Grasso\u2019s statement<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cAfter speaking with Coach Whittingham and reviewing his record both on and off the field, I am confident he will bring dignity, integrity, and fierce competitiveness to the program, while serving as a powerful role model for our student-athletes and staff. He also places a strong emphasis on the academic mission of college athletics, reflected in a 93 percent graduation rate, among the highest in the college football power conferences. Coach Whittingham is exactly the right fit for the University of Michigan at this time.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n The press release also had quotes from former Michigan players (Desmond Howard and Taylor Lewan), as well as former Utah quarterback Alex Smith.<\/p>\n Desmond Howard on Whittingham<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cI want to congratulate the University of Michigan leadership, especially Warde Manuel, for navigating a challenging process and coming away with what I truly believe is the best hire of this coaching cycle. I\u2019m extremely excited about Coach Whittingham leading Michigan. If you had asked me prior to this to name my favorite head coaches in the sport, his name would\u2019ve been one of the very first I mentioned. He\u2019s exactly what Michigan needs right now. Coach Whittingham commands immense admiration across college football, from the media to fellow coaches, and anytime his name comes up among my peers, the sentiment is unanimous: respect. He\u2019s your favorite coach\u2019s favorite coach, and that says everything.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n Alex Smith speaks highly of Whittingham<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cMichigan fans are about to find out what I\u2019ve known since I met Coach Whit as a freshman at Utah: he\u2019s a true leader, the ultimate competitor, and most importantly a winner. He\u2019s as tough as they come with the character to match. Can\u2019t wait to see this next chapter for the Maize and Blue.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n Taylor Lewan\u2019s thoughts on Whittingham<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n \u201cCongratulations to the University of Michigan on hiring Kyle Whittingham as its 22nd head football coach. While I don\u2019t know Coach Whittingham personally, every person I\u2019ve spoken with who has been associated with him speaks about him with the utmost respect. They all say the same thing: he\u2019s a man of integrity and character who develops players not only on the field, but off it as well.<\/p>\n I truly believe Michigan has found the right leader for its program, and I\u2019m excited to support the team as they compete for College Football Playoff berths and national championships.\u201c<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
\n
\n
\n
\n