Kyle Whittingham isn’t wasting any time putting his stamp on the Michigan football program. As the Wolverines transition into a new era, the staff around him is starting to take shape, and it’s becoming clear he’s bringing familiarity, continuity, and trust with him from Utah.
According to CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz, three more offensive staffers are expected to join Whittingham in Ann Arbor: Micah Simon (wide receivers coach), Freddie Whittingham (tight ends coach), and Koy Detmer Jr. (analyst/QBs coach). The moves come on the heels of Whittingham confirming earlier that Utah offensive coordinator Jason Beck will also follow him to Michigan to run the offense.
And just like that, the Wolverines’ offensive brain trust is starting to look pretty cohesive.
A Young WR Coach on the Rise
Micah Simon may only be 28, but he’s already building a strong reputation as a fast-rising offensive mind.
Simon just wrapped up his first season at Utah, where he worked closely with Beck after previously following him from New Mexico to Syracuse. Before that, he helped develop New Mexico wideout Luke Wysong into an All-Mountain West performer in 2024, and even earlier cut his teeth at Northern Colorado.
He also played wide receiver at BYU from 2015–2019, so he brings the kind of relatable, modern-era player perspective that resonates in today’s locker rooms.
For Michigan’s young receivers room, that could be huge.
Freddie Whittingham Brings a Tight End Pedigree
If there’s one thing Freddie Whittingham knows how to do, it’s develop tight ends.
He spent a decade on Utah’s staff, first in personnel and then as tight ends coach, and his players have consistently produced at a high level.
Given Michigan’s history at the position, from Jake Butt to Luke Schoonmaker to Colston Loveland, this feels like a natural match. Tight ends matter in Ann Arbor, and Freddie Whittingham knows how to keep that pipeline strong.
Koy Detmer Jr. Joins as a QB Analyst
The Detmer name carries plenty of football weight, and Koy Detmer Jr. is carving out his own path in the coaching world.
The former Texas A&M-Kingsville quarterback has worked with Jason Beck at Syracuse, New Mexico, and Utah, providing continuity in the quarterback room. Bringing him to Michigan ensures the offensive transition will be as smooth as possible.
He understands Beck’s system.
He understands Whittingham’s expectations.
And now, he’ll help Michigan’s QBs understand them, too.
That kind of familiarity is invaluable during a program reset.
What This Means for Michigan
This staff isn’t just a collection of names, it’s a unified offensive group that has already worked together, already understands the system, and already shares the same philosophy.
That’s not rebuilding, that’s transporting a working machine into a new football environment.
Michigan is clearly betting on:
- Continuity
- Player development
- A strong identity rooted in structure and fundamentals
There will be adjustments, sure. But Whittingham isn’t guessing his way through this. He’s bringing people he trusts, and people who know exactly how he wants to operate.
And in the chaotic world of college football transitions… that’s a pretty big deal.
