Michigan Fans Call for Whittingham Replacement
Michigan football supporters are pushing for head coach Kyle Whittingham to be replaced after a difficult first season.
Updated on Nov. 8, 2026 in Football
Live Poll
Should Michigan fire Kyle Whittingham after just one season, even at a high cost?
Michigan football fans are calling for head coach Kyle Whittingham to be replaced after a struggling first season, including a November 7, 2026 game against Michigan State in which the team did not score through three quarters. Whittingham benched Bryce Underwood in favor of Tommy Carr during the season.
Why it matters
Fan frustration over the program's performance has raised questions about the financial cost of a coaching change. Michigan would owe Whittingham a potential $24.75 million buyout if he is fired without cause after the 2026 season.
Whittingham's contract sets a five-year base salary of $41 million, with $8 million owed in 2026 and annual increases of $100,000. If he is fired without cause after the 2026 season, the buyout would be $24.75 million, calculated at 75% of his remaining salary.
The players
Kyle Whittingham
Kyle Whittingham is the head football coach at the University of Michigan, in his first season leading the program.
Bryce Underwood
Bryce Underwood is a Michigan quarterback who was benched by Whittingham during the season.
Tommy Carr
Tommy Carr is a Michigan player who replaced Bryce Underwood under Whittingham.
The details
Whittingham was hired to lead the Michigan football program in his first season, and fans have grown frustrated with results including a game against Michigan State in which the team did not score through three quarters. He benched quarterback Bryce Underwood in favor of Tommy Carr, which he attributed to Underwood not producing enough. Michigan has not paid buyouts to former coaches Sherrone Moore or Dusty May.
Timeline
2026: Whittingham begins his first season and five-year contract as Michigan head coach.
November 7, 2026: Michigan fails to score through three quarters against Michigan State.
After the 2026 season: A possible firing would trigger a $24.75 million buyout.
Season Trajectory
Whittingham's first season is being measured against the program's recent coaching changes, where Michigan has not paid buyouts to Sherrone Moore or Dusty May. A firing after 2026 would be a departure from that pattern and would carry a potential $24.75 million cost.
The buyout figure shows that a coaching change would carry a substantial financial cost to the university. Fans following the program can track whether the football team's results prompt any decision on Whittingham's future after the season.
The takeaway
Coaching decisions in college football carry large financial commitments, and Michigan's handling of Whittingham's contract will show how the program weighs results against buyout costs.
What happens next
The buyout question would become relevant after the 2026 season, when a firing without cause would trigger the $24.75 million payment.
Further reading
For more on the program's season, see Michigan football coverage on Wisevoter.
Live Poll
Should Michigan fire Kyle Whittingham after just one season, even at a high cost?
