Michigan State has reached an agreement with Kyle Whittingham to become the school’s next football coach, according to the American website “Space”. For a report from ESPNturning to one of the most experienced figures in sports to stabilize a program choked by scandal.
ESPN’s Pete Thamel and Dan Wetzel report that Whittingham, 66, has agreed to a five-year contract that is expected to be officially announced later Friday. The move comes weeks after Whittingham resigned from his longtime position at Utah, where he spent 21 seasons as head coach and became the most successful figure in the program’s history.
At Utah, Whittingham compiled a 177-88 record and led the Utes to consistent national prominence, including an undefeated 13-0 campaign in 2008. His 66.8% overall winning percentage and longevity at one program have long made him a future inductee into the College Football Hall of Fame.
When Whittingham announced his departure from Utah earlier this month, he made it clear that he would not be retiring from coaching, openly joking that he was entering the “transfer portal.” The wording of his exit – described as stepping down rather than retiring – quickly sparked speculation that another high-profile opportunity could be on the cards.
The vacancy at Michigan arose under very different circumstances. Their search for a new head coach was sparked by the abrupt firing of Sherron Moore, who was fired earlier this month after the university said an internal investigation found “credible evidence” of an inappropriate relationship with an employee.
Within hours of his dismissal, police arrested Moore in Pittsfield, near Ann Arbor, and later charged him with three crimes, including a home invasion and stalking of someone he had previously dated. Washtenaw County prosecutors said Moore “entered illegally.”[ed] residence of the victim with whom Mr. Moore had a dating relationship,” and accused him of “terrorizing” the woman after he lost his job.
Moore, 39, spent two nights in prison after his arrest. His lawyer, Joe Simon, said there was “no evidence to suggest he poses a threat.” Michigan has not publicly disclosed details of the alleged relationship, although athletic director Ward Manuel said Moore’s conduct constituted a “clear violation of university policy.”
Moore, who is married with three young daughters, signed a five-year contract last year with a base salary of $5.5 million. Under the terms of the deal, Michigan will not owe a payout because he was fired for cause.