Michigan football coaching tracker: Introducing the staff in Ann Arbor

The new Michigan football coaching staff for 2026 is coming together quickly.

Newly hired coach Kyle Whittingham has identified the vast majority of his new staff, with just a few decisions left to make as of Friday, Jan. 2. Here are the new additions, the holdovers and leaders of the Wolverines ahead of spring practice in just a couple of months.

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Whittingham arrives from Utah after 32 years in Salt Lake City – the past 21 as coach of the Utes – and much of his staff is also on the way from the Beehive State, along with a few other additions from around the country.

Offensive coordinator: Jason Beck (from Utah)

In 2025 at Utah, Beck led an offense that ranked among the best in the nation. Utah was second in FBS in rushing offense (266.3 yards per game), fourth in total offense (482.9 yards) and fifth in scoring offense (41.2 points per game). Utah was also third in the NCAA in third-down conversion rate (52.6%) and total first downs (331) and 12th in red-zone scoring percentage. Utah had five players earn All-Big 12 honors, led by All-American and Big 12 Offensive Lineman of the Year Spencer Fano.

“It is an honor to join Coach Whittingham at the University of Michigan,” Beck said in a statement released Friday. “I am eager to work with this exceptional offensive staff as we work together to build, develop, and support our student-athletes. My family and I are excited about this opportunity to become part of the Michigan community and the Wolverine family. Go Blue!”

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Defensive coordinator: Jay Hill (from BYU)

Hill came from BYU, where he led a top-25 scoring defense each of the past two seasons. In 2024, the Cougars led the nation with 22 interceptions. In 2025, BYU finished in the top 25 in seven categories: No. 5 in red-zone scoring defense (70.4%), No. 7 in interceptions (17), No. 10 in defensive TDs (three), No. 14 in turnovers forced (24), No. 19 in third-down conversion percentage (33%), No. 21 in scoring defense and No. 25 in passer rating allowed (116.97). Hill also has head coaching experience, leading FCS Weber State for nine seasons (2014-22) where he guided the Wildcats to a 68-39 overall record during that time, leading the program to four Big Sky championships.

“It is an absolute honor for me and my family to join the Michigan Wolverines!” Hill said in a statement released Friday. “We are so excited to join Coach Whittingham, his staff and look forward to building relationships with these great players. The Michigan program is deep with history and tradition that I look forward to honoring. The opportunity to develop great young men on and off the field and ultimately win championships at Michigan is something we are dedicated to do. I can’t wait to get started! Go Blue!”

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Running backs coach: Tony Alford (retained)

Alford led the Wolverines running back room the past two years and is staying on under Whittingham. Alford is one of U-M's ace recruiters, having landed five-star running back Savion Hitere, the top back in the nation, in the most recent cycle. He has also helped land and develop several star backs, including Kalel Mullings, Justice Haynes and Jordan Marshall.

Wide receivers coach: Micah Simon (from Utah)

Simon comes to Michigan to coach wide receivers – his fourth program in as many seasons. A former wideout at BYU (2015-19), Simon joined Syracuse's staff in 2022 as an offensive analyst, where he first connected with Beck. He then went to Northern Colorado (2023) and New Mexico (2024) to lead the wide receivers (also under Beck) before he joined Utah's staff last season.

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Tight ends coach: Freddie Whittingham (from Utah)

Kyle's brother joins U-M after spending the past 10 seasons as tight ends coach and recruiting coordinator. Before that, he was the Utes' director of player personnel for four seasons. Tight ends have starred for Utah for several seasons, including Brant Kiuthe, a four-time all-conference honoree and Dalton Kincaid, who became a first-round NFL draft pick and is now a standout for the Buffalo Bills.

Offensive line coach: Jim Harding (from Utah)

Harding has been one of the most consistent offensive line coaches in the nation and joins U-M after leading Utah the past dozen years. In 2025, he coached a pair of first-team All-Big 12 offensive linemen in Spencer Fano and Caleb Lomu, both of whom are projected to be 2026 first-round draft picks. He has ties to the Midwest, too, growing up in Maumee, Ohio, starring at Toledo and coaching at Troy Athens High School (2005-08).

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Defensive line coaches: Lou Esposito (retained), Lewis Powell (from Utah)

Michigan retained defensive line coach Lou Esposito to the same position – like Alford, he has led one of the most productive units on the team and also been an elite recruiter, including this past cycle where he landed Michigan's most renowned group. Michigan is also reportedly bringing in Lewis Powell, Utah's defensive line coach who will focus on the EDGEs in Ann Arbor and serve as run game coordinator, per ESPN's Pete Thamel. Powell spent 11 years in Utah, including 10 as defensive line coach.

Linebackers coach: TBD

Secondary coach: TBD

Special teams coordinator: TBD

Positional assistant coaches

Michigan brought in Koy Detmer Jr. (Utah) to coach quarterbacks and Marques Hagans (Penn State) to help with wide receivers. There could be a few more assistants and analysts added to the mix in the coming days.

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This story will be updated as more coaches are hired and official announcements are made by the program.

Tony Garcia is the Wolverines beat writer for the Detroit Free Press. Email him at apgarcia@freepress.com and follow him on X at @RealTonyGarcia.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan football coaching tracker: Introducing the staff in Ann Arbor