The Wolverines' interim coach out in Ann Arbor.
Kyle Whittingham reportedly not retaining Biff Poggi on Michigan staff originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Kyle Whittingham has decided not to retain Biff Poggi as a member of his initial Michigan coaching staff, signifying a further progression in the transition in Ann Arbor.
Poggi has confirmed his departure from the Wolverines in 2026, following his tenure as the program's interim head coach for three games during the 2025 season, which included the Citrus Bowl loss to Texas.
During the regular season, he achieved a 2-0 record, guiding Michigan to victories over Central Michigan and Nebraska while former head coach Sherrone Moore was serving a suspension.
Biff Poggi announced at the Citrus Bowl postgame press conference that this was his last game coaching at Michigan. pic.twitter.com/DSDN8SFj9A
— Brad Galli (@BradGalli) January 1, 2026
"This isn’t a rebuild at all,” Poggi said. “That would shortchange the kids, and coach (Kyle) Whittingham is going to do an amazing job.”
Michigan ultimately appointed Kyle Whittingham, who previously led Utah for over two decades, after the termination and subsequent arrest of Moore due to an off-field incident. Poggi acknowledged his candidacy during the coaching search but indicated that the university aimed to finalize its hire prior to the bowl game.
Whittingham joins the team with a distinguished record in collegiate football, having accumulated a 177-88 record, three conference championships, and eight seasons with ten or more wins during his time at Utah.
During his introduction as Michigan's head coach earlier this week, Whittingham emphasized his immediate priorities, which are player retention and finalizing his coaching staff in anticipation of the NCAA transfer portal window opening on January 2nd.
While Poggi will not be part of this new staff, Whittingham noted that the majority of his team is nearly finalized as the Wolverines prepare for the next stage of this transition.
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