The search for the next Michigan football head coach has been jumbled, but there's a chance things could be coming to a close soon.
That needs to be the case for a program that is heading into the third week of the search to replace the fired and disgraced Sherrone Moore.
Kalen DeBoer and Kenny Dillingham were popular targets early. Jeff Brohm picked up some steam last week, but it hasn't materialized into anything.
Contract extensions for DeBoer and Brohm haven't been announced yet, so you never know. But after some reporting from ESPN's Pete Thamel, there is a new frontrunner for the Michigan football head-coaching job and it's Utah's Kyle Whittingham.
NEWS: Utah coach Kyle Whittingham has emerged as the focus of the University of Michigan’s coaching search, sources tell @DanWetzel and me. More here: https://t.co/YLyEu2J2cO
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) December 26, 2025
Let's get to the Michigan head coach candidate power rankings.
4. Jeff Brohm, Louisville
It seems unlikely at this point. There was some buzz about contact between Michigan and Brohm but it didn't seem to go anywhere. A contract extension hasn't been announced by Louisville, but it feels like that's coming.
Brohm doesn't feel like he will be the next Michigan football head coach.
3. Jedd Fisch
Pete Thamel mentioned him earlier this week as one of three names to still have on the radar. It feels like a break-glass sort of emergency.
If others on the list say no, Michigan football could circle back to the Washington head coach, who has nine-win seasons with the Huskies and Arizona Wildcats, however, that also feels like a long shot at this point.
2. Todd Monken, Ravens OC
The current Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator and former Georgia offensive coordinator during the Bulldogs' national title run, was another name that emerged this week.
Monken would be an incredible hire as the offensive coordinator. Things are a little dicey in Baltimore right now with John Harbaugh possibly on the hot seat.
Monken was the C-USA coach of the Year in 2015. He guided Southern Miss to a C-USA title, too, after it was one-win program when he showed up. Another favorite has emerged, but Monken is a name to keep an eye on still.
1. Kyle Whittingham
Pete Thamel reported on Friday that soon-to-be former Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham has become the "focus" of the Michigan football head coaching search.
Whittingham just stepped down from Utah. He expressed interested in the job, and was ranked by ESPN as one of the top 10 college football head coaches prior to the 2025 season. Utah then posted a 10-2 record and is ranked 15th, outplaying expectations.
Whittingham has a 13-0 season on his resume and a Sugar Bowl win over Alabama. He also won two Pac-12 championships, and was a former Urban Meyer assistant. Meyer has since called Whittingham the "best coach in college football."
Whittingham is 66 years old. But who cares? Nick Saban coached into his 70s. Whittingham is an elite coach. He's a proven winner and Michigan football needs to get this hire done.