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Kyle Whittingham expected to bring offensive coordinator with him to Michigan, per report
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Kyle Whittingham and Michigan are closing in on an agreement to make him the next head coach of the Wolverines. That eventuality also suggests other coaches from Salt Lake City might soon make their way to Ann Arbor.
One such name to keep an eye on is Utah offensive coordinator Jason Beck. According to a report from CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz, Beck is expected to be the primary target to run Whittingham’s offense at Michigan.
It’s unclear who else on Whittingham’s old Utah staff would follow him. Whittingham spent 21 years with the Utes. His defensive coordinator, Morgan Scalley, was named the coach in waiting prior to his departure, so Whittingham might not want to gut the Utah staff.
But Beck has proven himself to be one of the best offensive coordinators in the country and Whittingham now has to impress quarterback Bryce Underwood. Job No. 1 is convincing Underwood to return for his sophomore season next fall.
In his first season, Beck guided an offensive resurgence in Salt Lake City. The Utes jumped from 23.6 points per game in 2024 (102nd in FBS) to 41.1 points per game this season (fifth). After averaging 5.2 yards per play a year ago (111th), Utah averaged 6.6 this season and ranked 19th nationally.
Utah ranked 14th in Game on Paper’s adjusted EPA per play metric. Utah had the eighth-worst mark in the nation the year before Beck’s arrival.
Utah’s run game was exceptional under Beck. The Utes led all power conference teams in rushing yards per game (269.8) and led all FBS teams in per-carry yardage (6.1). Only 4 FBS teams scored more touchdowns on the ground than Utah, and only 2 FBS teams generated more explosive runs.
While quarterback development has been a question mark for Whittingham in recent years, the Utes have consistently produced NFL-caliber offensive linemen and running backs. The Utes also had a first-round pick at tight end in the 2023 draft.
That was before Beck’s arrival, of course, but Beck’s 2025 Utah offense could produce a couple more first-rounders in next year’s draft.
Derek Peterson does a bit of everything, not unlike Taysom Hill. He has covered Oklahoma, Nebraska, the Pac-12, and now delivers CFB-wide content.