Kyle Whittingham is expected to be announced as the next head coach of Michigan football, and while the move is not yet official, attention has already shifted to how he will build out his coaching staff. The 66-year-old former Utah head coach spent 21 seasons with the Utes and won multiple Coach of the Year honors, bringing with him a reputation for stability, toughness and long-term program building. Even if Whittingham remains in Ann Arbor for only a handful of seasons, his presence is viewed as a reset for Michigan’s culture following recent upheaval.
One of Whittingham’s most pressing tasks will be hiring an offensive coordinator, especially with the transfer portal opening soon and roster retention becoming critical. Michigan needs continuity, but it also needs an offense capable of maximizing elite talent, including highly touted quarterback Bryce Underwood. Several candidates stand out as realistic options.
The most obvious choice is Jason Beck, Utah’s current offensive coordinator. Beck was promoted to the role last season and immediately delivered one of the most productive offenses in the country. Utah finished fifth nationally in scoring offense and sixth in total offense, while ranking second in rushing yards per game. Beck also demonstrated an ability to develop and deploy a dual-threat quarterback in Devon Dampier, who threw for over 2,100 yards with 22 touchdowns and added nearly 700 rushing yards. Beck’s system would allow Michigan to expand its offensive identity while still maintaining physicality, and joining Michigan would represent a clear step up in profile for him.
Another strong candidate is Aaron Roderick, the offensive coordinator at BYU and a longtime member of Whittingham’s coaching tree. Roderick coached under Whittingham at Utah for more than a decade, working closely with quarterbacks and wide receivers before moving to BYU in 2017. He became the Cougars’ full-time offensive coordinator in 2021 and played a key role in the development of former Heisman finalist Zach Wilson. While BYU’s offense was more middle-of-the-pack statistically this season, Roderick has experience working with young quarterbacks and running a balanced system that could translate well to Michigan.
Marcus Arroyo, currently Arizona State’s offensive coordinator, is another intriguing option. Arroyo joined ASU when Kenny Dillingham was hired and helped engineer a rapid offensive turnaround. Despite preseason expectations that Arizona State would struggle, the Sun Devils rebounded and reached the College Football Playoff conversation, with Arroyo playing a major role in reviving the careers of quarterback Sam Leavitt and running back Cam Skattebo. While Michigan would likely need to offer a significant financial package to lure Arroyo away, his recent success makes him a viable target.
Todd Monken represents the highest-profile possibility. The current Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator has extensive experience at both the college and NFL levels and previously emerged as a candidate for Michigan’s head coaching vacancy. Monken won two national championships as Georgia’s offensive play caller and later helped MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson thrive in Baltimore. With uncertainty surrounding the Ravens’ coaching staff, Monken could become available, and pairing him with Whittingham would instantly elevate Michigan’s offensive credibility. However, landing Monken would require aggressive pursuit and significant resources.
Whoever Whittingham ultimately chooses will say a great deal about Michigan’s direction. The program needs an offensive leader who can stabilize the roster, develop elite quarterbacks and modernize the attack without abandoning the physical identity Michigan fans expect. With the transfer portal clock ticking, the decision may come sooner rather than later.