Michigan Wolverines head coach Kyle Whittingham got his career off to a dismal start as his team barely avoided an upset to an in-state rival.
Michigan came into Saturday’s game against Western Michigan University as 27.5-point favorites, but needed a last-second Hail Mary to win 13-12. Whittingham faced resounding criticism for his approach during the game, including his decision to back quarterback Bryce Underwood, though the controversial ending may have saved him.
Kyle Whittingham in the Crosshairs After Michigan’s Near Upset
Michigan was able to pull off the comeback after a controversial call, with referees putting 1 second back on the clock after what appeared to be the game-ending incompletion on a Hail Mary attempt. Quarterback Bryce Underwood made good on the second attempt, but not before Whittingham was hit with resounding criticism.
Michigan struggled throughout Saturday’s game, with an anemic offense that could not stretch the underdog WMU team. Big Ten Network analyst Jake Butt blasted Michigan’s game plan for the season opener during the game.
“Sickening. Shocking. Completely inexcusable,” Butt wrote in a post on X. “Give a ton of credit to western michigan. Had a great gameplan. Executed in all 3 phases at a higher level. That’s a damn good football team, but Michigan beat themselves countless times in this game. Many mistakes are carryovers from last season which is most concerning”
Sports Illustrated writer Pat Forde noted that the game was reminiscent of the historic upset to Appalachian State in 2007, when Michigan came in as 33-point favorites.
“Kyle Whittingham is closing in on the worst season-opening performance at Michigan since App State 2007,” Forde wrote.
Some suggested Whittingham may have backed the wrong quarterback, overlooking Tommy Carr in favor of Bryce Underwood.
“I don’t want to overreact because it’s Game 1 in the Kyle Whittingham era but it may already be time to talk Tommy Carr,” noted reporter Mark J. Burns in a post on X.
Kyle Whittingham Already Faced More Criticism
Whittingham had already faced criticism earlier in the week after a report from The Salt Lake Tribune raised questions about his approach to player health and safety at Utah.
Whittingham pushed back against allegations that he pushed for players to return against the recommendation of the team’s medical staff.
“Never in my career have I ever tried to sway, influence, whatever the word is, our medical staff, you know, wherever I’ve been,” Whittingham said while appearing on The Dan Patrick Show. “We listen to the medical staff. If they say a player is available, we go with that. And if they say he’s not available, we go with that.”
Michigan Coach Kyle Whittingham Under Fire After Michigan Struggles