"I can say for sure we're going to be a physical football team," said U-M football coach Kyle Whittingham. "Go 1-0 (every Saturday), that's our goal."
The Big House, it was not.
The first place Michigan football coach Kyle Whittingham spoke publicly in Ann Arbor was at ... Crisler Center.
The Wolverines' new coach addressed the crowd in the first half of the Wolverines' game against USC on Friday, Jan. 2.
Well, first, he had to wait, because the fans gave such a thunderous applause as part of a standing ovation.
True to the billing Whittingham has come to town with, he didn't make the moment about himself.
"First of all, how about coach Dusty May and this Michigan Wolverine basketball team?" he said to a roar. "What a great job coach. It's an honor to be the 22nd head football coach in the University of Michigan. Blessed to be here. Can't wait to get started."
Whittingham was flanked by the coaching staff assembled so far (which included three previous staffers, in running backs coach Tony Alford, defensive line coach Lou Esposito and special teams coordinator Kerry Coombs).
The rest of the staff – highlighted by offensive coordinator Jason Beck and defensive coordinator Jay Hill, both officially announced on Friday – flew into Ann Arbor earlier in the day.
"First order of business was to assemble a great assistant coaching staff," Whittingham continued. "We got one or two more to add, but otherwise this is the group that will be coaching the young men this, this spring, this fall."
The final two positions fill are linebackers coach and defensive backs. And then all attention turns to roster retention and transfer portal acquisition as the Wolverines gear up for 2026.
Whittingham didn't promise anything outlandish: No declarations of championships, assurances of College Football Playoff appearances or guarantees of beating Ohio State. But if what he did promise comes to fruition, there's a good chance those things will follow.
"I can say for sure that we're going to be a physical football team," he said. "We're going to be an exciting offense, coach (Jason) Beck has done a great job everywhere he's been. Coach Jay Hill, defensive coordinator. I'll tell you right now, our goal every Saturday is to go 1-0. That's our goal.
"Go Blue!"
Tony Garcia is the Wolverines beat writer for the Detroit Free Press. Email him at [email protected] and follow him on X at @RealTonyGarcia.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan football coach Kyle Whittingham gets standing ovation at Crisler Center
Category: General Sports
