CHICAGO — When Kyle Whittingham arrived at the University of Michigan, he noticed something that caught his attention immediately. It wasn’t the state-of-the-art facilities, nor was it the historic Michigan Stadium, or even the talented roster. What stood out to him was the weight room numbers.

Source: sportshub.cbsistatic.com

According to Whittingham, the team’s overall strength was not up to par when he first assessed them. ‘The most glaring thing that stood out to me when we first got there was that when we tested them in the strength room, the overall strength of the team was not up to par,’ Whittingham said at Big Ten media days. ‘We had all these real tall, long, good-looking athletes, but the sheer strength just wasn’t there.’

Whittingham, a 66-year-old coach who has spent 32 years in the program, including 21 years as the head coach at the University of Utah, decided to take action. He began working with the team to increase their strength and physicality, a focus that has been a hallmark of his coaching style throughout his career.

Michigan running back Jordan Marshall remembers walking into the locker room one day to find Whittingham working out, his muscular arms pumping weights. ‘He’s a monster. He’s huge. He looks like he can be out there running with us,’ Marshall said. ‘That’s good when you see your coach up there all buffed up and looks like he got a pump before we’re all about to work out.’

Whittingham’s Path to Ann Arbor

Whittingham’s path to Ann Arbor was not an easy one. He arrived at Michigan after the tumultuous departure of former coach Sherrone Moore, who was fired in December 2023 after a series of incidents, including an affair, an arrest, and criminal charges. Athletic director Warde Manuel, who had promoted Moore, is also leaving the program at the end of the calendar year.

Michigan wanted a coach who could bring stability and accountability to the program. Whittingham fit the bill, with a reputation for building positive cultures and solidifying responsibility and accountability. He was the perfect candidate to lead the Wolverines back to prominence.

Whittingham has a proven track record of success, with one undefeated season, two Rose Bowl appearances, and two Pac-12 titles under his belt. His teams were known for their physicality and toughness, and he has brought that same mentality to Michigan.

Fixing the Strength Crisis

Whittingham’s focus on strength and physicality has already begun to pay dividends. The team retested their strength last week, and ‘just a handful’ of players did not hit their personal best on lifts. It’s a testament to Whittingham’s hard work and dedication to the program.

Whittingham’s approach is not just about physical strength, but also about mental toughness and accountability. He wants his players to be responsible and to take ownership of their actions. ‘I believe we can put that aside in the rearview mirror rather quickly,’ Whittingham said.

Bryce Underwood: The Key to Michigan’s Success

Bryce Underwood, the Wolverines’ quarterback, is a key player in Michigan’s success. He’s a talented young player who has already made a name for himself in the college football world. Underwood played at nearby Belleville High School and was rated the nation’s No. 1 high school player in 2024 by several national scouting services.

Underwood has already shown flashes of brilliance on the field, completing 60.3% of his passes for 2,428 yards and 11 touchdowns against nine interceptions. He’s also a threat on the ground, with 392 yards and six touchdowns. New offensive coordinator Jason Beck hopes to build on Underwood’s strengths and create an explosive offense.

Underwood has been open about his goals, saying that he wants to be the best player to ever come out of the state of Michigan. Whittingham has high praise for Underwood, saying that he has all the tools to be successful. ‘Talk to me at the end of fall camp,’ Whittingham said, ‘and I’ll have a lot better assessment.’

Putting the Rivalry in Perspective

Whittingham is still figuring things out with his roster, but he’s already made a statement about the Ohio State rivalry. When asked about the rivalry and whether the personal animosity between previous coaches had a place in it, Whittingham took a different approach. ‘The rivalry can be intense and emotional without the hatred factor,’ he said. ‘I don’t think there’s any place for that.’

Whittingham wants to win The Game, but he’s going to do it his way. He’s focused on building a positive culture and creating a winning team, not on fueling the flames of rivalry.