Winter Garden, Fla. – Michigan freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood described his immediate reaction to the news Kyle Whittingham was hired as the program’s new head coach as upbeat.
Whittingham, 66, the longtime Utah head coach, was hired Friday as Michigan’s 22nd head coach. He replaces Sherrone Moore fired Dec. 10 for an inappropriate relationship with a staff member.
Michigan arrived in Orlando on Friday as it prepares to face Texas in the Citrus Bowl on Wednesday. Whittingham announced to his Utah team on Friday he will not coach the Utes in the Las Vegas Bowl, which is also Wednesday, and instead will be here with the Wolverines. Whittingham will be formally introduced during a news conference on Sunday in Orlando.
Michigan QB Bryce Underwood on Kyle Whittingham
Michigan QB Bryce Underwood talks from Citrus Bowl practice about new coach Kyle Whittingham with Angelique Chengelis of The Detroit News.
“I was actually pretty excited,” Underwood said Saturday before practice referring to his reaction to the news of the hire. “Just really excited to see what he does for the University of Michigan.”
Among Whittingham’s first orders of business, along with hiring a staff, is securing the return of Underwood, the No. 1 recruit in the 2025 class, and receiver Andrew Marsh, as the new coach works to maintain and add to the roster.
While Underwood expressed an eagerness to meet Whittingham and ask him questions, he was non-committal regarding whether he will definitely be in Ann Arbor next season. For what it’s worth, Champions Circle, which raises funding for Michigan athletes’ NIL, introduced a digital campaign on Friday that featured prominent images of Whittingham and Underwood, as well as running back Jordan Marshall.
Underwood was asked if he’s given thought to his future and whether that includes playing for Michigan in 2026.
“Right now, we about to play this bowl game, so that’s really the main thought that’s in my head right now,” Underwood said.
He said after the game he’ll “figure that out” regarding what will go into his decision. He said the biggest factor is his family.
“And we’ll go from there,” Underwood said.
It undoubtedly will be important to Underwood how he clicks with Whittingham and who he hires as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.
“I’m very excited to figure out what kind of guy he is,” Underwood said of Whittingham. “I don’t really know too much about him. Just excited to figure out what kind of guy he is.”
Underwood said he will feel his way through the questions he wants answered when he gets a chance to meet with Whittingham, who he is starting to learn about.
“I seen his resume a little earlier today, actually,” Underwood said. “So I’m just excited to ask him a few questions once I get to that point.”
