It is no secret that the Michigan football program has been through some difficult years. Now, former Colorado Buffaloes quarterback and college football game caller, Joel Klatt, has a say on the situation. 

Talking on the Joel Klatt Show, this is what he said:

“They need to change the culture. They need to move away from whatever it was that was going on last year and in years prior.” 

This began in 2023, though on the field, it was a successful season for the Michigan Wolverines by winning the national championship. The sign-stealing controversy overshadowed the success that followed. 

Jim Harbaugh, who was the head coach of the Michigan Wolverines from 2015 to 2023, eventually left Michigan for the Los Angeles Chargers in the NFL.

He is currently banned from coaching at the collegiate level after getting a 10-year show-cause order, which only begins in 2028. 

After Harbaugh, Sherrone Moore took over the reins as head coach after serving as an offensive coordinator to Harbaugh. The university also fired Moore after they found out he was having an inappropriate relationship with an ex-staffer, Paige Shiver. 

The Michigan Wolverines are widely considered a “Blue Blood” program, and now they have hired Kyle Whittingham to take them forward. Joel Klatt further added, 

“This is one of the best coaches in America. Michigan is in good hands. It’s an offseason change. We know that. And it’s not just like going from Jim Harbaugh to his assistant [Sherrone Moore].” 

Whittingham has played college football for Brigham Young University as a linebacker and has been coaching for more than three decades. He is the son of a former coach and NFL player, Fred Whittingham.

Joel Klatt also hinted at what Michigan can look to do to be successful in the 2026 season. 

Jason Beck and Bryce Underwood: The Key Factors for Michigan in 2026

While it has been a time of turmoil at the Big House, Sherrone Moore was still able to land the No.1 overall prospect and five-star QB, Bryce Underwood, to play for the Wolverines. 

“All eyes are going to be on Bryce Underwood in his sophomore year and offensive coordinator Jason Beck. Now, Jason Beck in the last few years has been outstanding as an offensive coordinator,” Klatt said on the podcast.

Underwood started as a true freshman for the Wolverines and is expected to keep the QB1 role even after a poor outing at the spring game. 

Jason Beck followed coach Whittingham from Salt Lake City to Ann Arbor and will be in charge of calling plays for the offense. 

Beck’s offense with the Utah Utes was exceptional; the total offense ranked 4th in FBS. He and Underwood will enter the 2026 season hoping to recreate some of that magic from 2025.

Do you think the Wolverines can shine in the upcoming season?

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Written by

Samvruth Raj

Edited by

Zaid Quraishi