Michigan faces $24.75m Whittingham buyout

Kyle Whittingham’s contract would require Michigan to pay $24.75 million if it fired the first-year coach without cause after the 2026 season, Yahoo Sports reported on Sunday, Nov. 8, citing GBM Wolverine.

The article said Whittingham signed a five-year agreement with a $41 million base salary, a material cost for Michigan if it considered a change after one season.

The reported contract started with an $8 million salary for 2026 and added $100,000 each year, according to GBM Wolverine. A firing without cause would pay Whittingham 75% of remaining salary, the site reported.

GBM Wolverine wrote: "The good news for Michigan is that they aren't paying any other buyouts to former coaches. (Sherrone) Moore was fired for cause, and former head basketball coach Dusty May left for the NBA on his own. So, if Michigan wanted to pay the buyout, they probably have the money to do so."

The renewed focus on the contract followed Michigan’s Nov. 7 game against Michigan State at Michigan Stadium, where the Wolverines did not score through three quarters, according to the article. Heavy also wrote that Whittingham had benched Bryce Underwood for Tommy Carr during a difficult first season.

The report framed any dismissal as uncertain rather than decided. It said Whittingham arrived at Michigan for the 2026 season after a strong prior record, while the Wolverines’ current season has fallen short of expectations described in the article.

Source: Yahoo Sports article republished from Heavy, Nov. 8, 2026.