Michigan football fans are gearing up for the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl, but they will have to wait a bit longer to see new head coach Kyle Whittingham in action. Interim coach Biff Poggi will lead the Wolverines against Texas in Orlando, Florida, on Wednesday, December 31, at 3 p.m. ET on ABC. Poggi stepped in after Sherrone Moore’s dismissal due to an inappropriate relationship with a staff member and has successfully guided the team amidst this challenging transition.
Though Whittingham, who has an extensive 21-year coaching tenure at Utah, will not be on the sidelines calling plays for this game, he has made preparations to be present in Orlando following his recent hiring. Instead of heading straight to Ann Arbor for his introductory press conference at Schembechler Hall, Whittingham flew directly to Florida to meet his new players and hold the press conference in a hotel ballroom.
A significant moment for Whittingham included a 45-minute meeting with star quarterback Bryce Underwood, where they began to build rapport amid bowl preparations. While Whittingham won’t be in a coaching capacity during the Citrus Bowl, he was seen observing Michigan’s first bowl practice and is expected to support the team from the sidelines.
Fans will have to wait until the 2026 season opener against Western Michigan on September 5 to see Whittingham officially debut as head coach. However, with the transfer portal opening on January 2 and many high school recruits making their decisions, there is much work ahead for him in establishing his vision for the program.
This transitional phase for Michigan football, although challenging, could bring fresh opportunities under Whittingham’s leadership moving forward. The team’s resilience during this time may encourage fans to remain optimistic about the future.