Urban Meyer has been the head coach of the Ohio State Buckeyes, the arch-rivals of the Michigan Wolverines. Yet, the Ann Arbor college football program held a special place while growing up, seeing the Ohio State vs. Michigan rivalry. However, Meyer believes that he has lost respect for the Wolverines. 

“I’ll tell you, it’s taken a little bit of a hit, though,” said Meyer on The Script podcast. “What’s gone on the last four or five years, I lost a little the respect. I know this is going to make some headlines, but the nonsense that has gone on up there, when I started hearing about all the violations and then, the most recent stuff.”

The past few months have been tumultuous for the Ann Arbor camp after ex-head coach Sherrone Moore was dismissed for being in an inappropriate relationship with a female staffer. According to the reports, he was sentenced to 18 months' probation and fined just over $1,000 back in April.

But before being dismissed, Moore was suspended for the third and fourth games of the 2025 season due to his alleged involvement with the 2023 sign-stealing scandal. 

That’s also a reason behind Meyer losing respect for the program. Since the 2023 season, Michigan Wolverines football has remained under heavy scrutiny after former defensive analyst Connor Stalions was accused of using multiple in-person methods to scout opposing programs. 

The allegations prompted the NCAA to open an investigation into both Stalions and Michigan during the season. Amid the controversy, the Big Ten Conference suspended then-head coach Jim Harbaugh for three games.

However, looks like Meyer has found confidence in Michigan's latest move. 

"They hired the right guy [Kyle Whittingham] to get him back,” he said, referring to Kyle Whittingham’s hire. 

Like Meyer, Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel is hopeful about Whittingham restoring the respect that the Wolverines lost. 

Michigan Wolverines Ad Confident With Kyle Whittingham’s Hire

Whittingham has devoted a large part of his career to Utah, being the Utes' head coach from 2005 to 2025. Taking over the charge from Meyer, he led them from the Mountain West to the top of the Power Five. He has compiled a 177-88 career record while capturing two Pac-12 championships and one Mountain West title.

Beyond the statistics, Manuel and the Wolverines counted on Whittingham to restore discipline in Michigan’s team culture. 

"I always aim for steadiness," Manuel said, per ESPN. "My goal as a leader is to provide the steadiness to the rest of the department, and my staff, and student-athletes, and I think I and we have done that as a department in the organization.”

Known for his steady leadership style, Whittingham has kept his programs out of major controversy. In the process, he fostered a strong team-first environment. His experience and leadership could provide valuable stability for the Michigan Wolverines football.

He scripted a turnaround story from 5-7 to 10-2 at Utah, powered by a stacked offensive line. The defense remained an elite unit. The Utes’ only setbacks came against two of the conference’s top teams, the BYU Cougars football and the Texas Tech Red Raiders football.

As Whittingham’s first big test in Michigan lies ahead, will the Wolverines be able to get their lost respect back? Share your thoughts. 

Read more at Michigan Football Community.

Written by

Soheli Tarafdar

Edited by

Soheli Tarafdar