3 OC candidates that make sense for Kyle Whittingham at Michigan

When Jim Harbaugh was named the head coach for the Michigan Wolverines, his first game was against the Kyle Whittingham-led Utah Utes. About a decade later, it is Whittingham who now takes over as head coach, seeking to right the ship after the chaotic departure of Sherrone Moore.

Hiring a Hall of Fame-level coach like Whittingham will surely pique attention from recruits and current players alike, but filling out a staff for a 66-year old defensive-minded head coach could decide whether or not talent is retained heading into 2026 or not.

Nailing these hires is now paramount for Whittingham as the beginning of his tenure takes shape, and he has limited time with the transfer portal opening in a week. Here are three names that make sense to be Michigan’s next offensive coordinator.

1. Jason Beck, Offensive Coordinator, Utah

The clear top candidate is rising star coordinator Jason Beck, who took over in 2025. The year prior, Utah averaged just 23.6 points and 329.8 yards per game. It took one season for Beck to turn things around, as the Utes scored 41.1 points per game and put up 478.6 yards per game this season. The run game really excelled, as the Utes were ranked No. 2 in the country with 269.8 rushing yards per game.

In late November, Whittingham gave Beck an “A-plus grade” for his performance in 2025 saying, “Jason has really been a huge positive for us. And then the influx of the transfer portal guys have helped boost us as well. But again, it all starts with a solid offensive line. Jason’s done a phenomenal job this year, statistically that is borne out in the numbers as well.”

Beck also led transfer quarterback Devon Dampier to one of the best seasons among quarterbacks in the Big 12. He was the Offensive Newcomer of the Year in the conference after racking up 2,180 passing yards and 687 rushing yards for 29 total touchdowns and just five interceptions. That progression has to be appetizing to Bryce Underwood as he evaluates his options.

2. Jim Harding, Assistant Head Coach and Offensive Line Coach, Utah

If Beck decides to stay put, former co-offensive coordinator and Utah assistant head coach Jim Harding would be a clear candidate. He worked with Whittingham for 12 seasons in Salt Lake City and has routinely had some of the most physical offensive lines in college football.

Harding’s offensive lines have blocked for a 1,000-yard rusher in eight of his 12 seasons in the role, and running back Wayshawn Parker is currently at 931 with the Las Vegas Bowl matchup with Nebraska still looming. He’s had 11 first-team selections and six offensive linemen drafted in the dozen years he has been in the position.

What may be most important for a hire like Harding is his history of recruiting. 247sports ranks Harding as the No. 1 recruiter in the Big 12 this season, earning the commitments from five-star offensive lineman Kelvin Obot and four-star offensive lineman Mataalii Benjamin. His experience recruiting and developing offensive linemen at Utah could play really nicely into revamping a Michigan offensive line that needs to perform better.

While Harding did serve as co-offensive coordinator in the past under Whittingham, it seems like his motivations might be elsewhere, as that title and play-calling role did not stick. Through struggles in 2024 and previously, Harding was thought of as a potential offensive coordinator candidate, but the reigns were turned to Beck instead.

3. Freddie Whittingham, Tight Ends Coach, Utah

The brother of the new Michigan head coach, Freddie Whittingham had a great career at Utah. He has coached at Utah for over a decade, and his work with tight ends has been phenomenal, highlighted by 2023 first-round pick Dalton Kincaid.

Overall, the Utah offense has been predicated on the success of the tight ends for most of the Whittingham’s tenures, and Freddie has been key in ensuring that’s possible. Over the last four seasons, tight ends have accounted for 32 percent of the receiving yards for the offense.

While Freddie has never called plays before, he has played large roles in Utah’s recruiting efforts. From 2012-15, he was the Director of Player Personnel before moving into the coaching ranks. He also has been a recruiting coordinator along with his work as tight end coach.

There is a world where all three of these coaches wind up in Ann Arbor. Both Hardin and Freddie Whittingham have deep ties to Kyle Whittingham, working with him for over a decade. It could make a lot of sense for both of them to end up at Michigan regardless of the offensive coordinator title. If he could bring the majority of his offensive staff that coached one of the best units in college football in 2025, that should mean a lot of excitement for the current team and potential incoming transfers about what’s next for the Wolverines.