MSU fans, media members react to rival UM hiring Kyle Whittingham as next football head coach
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Michigan State football’s top rival made headlines on Friday with the hiring of its next coach, and the Spartans fans were not holding back their thoughts on the move.
News broke on Friday that Michigan would hire former Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham to take over as the Wolverines next head coach. He will be replacing Sherrone Moore who was fired earlier this month after “credible evidence” emerged that he had engaged in an inappropriate relationship with a staff member.
Whittingham, 66, comes to Michigan after a long tenure at Utah, where he will end up arguably as the program’s best coach of all-time. He has been there for the last 21 seasons, compiling a record of 177-88 and recently back-to-back Pac-12 championships in 2021 and 2022.
So as you would expect, many had thoughts about the hiring of Whittingham by Michigan — which included the Spartans fans and media members. Let’s take a look at those reactions posted on social media following the news of the hiring below:
*Michigan fans during coaching search*
“DeBoer is totally coming here. Michigan is a much better job than Alabama.”
“Oh, actually, it’s going to be Dillingham. He’s the savior – no one chooses ASU over Michigan”
*End Result*
“Whittingham was our guy all along. Home run hire.”
— Spartan Dawgs (@SpartanDawgsEL) December 26, 2025
Kyle Whittingham is a very good hire for Michigan.
Better hire than DeBoer, Dillingham, Fisch
— You Are The Program (@YATP_Podcast) December 26, 2025
🤡 https://t.co/IsOz9b8FaRpic.twitter.com/7XCXVIOk6V
— John (@FromEastLansing) December 26, 2025
A few weeks ago Michigan fans were mocking MSU for hiring a coach who did more with less at a smaller program. Now it’s “phenomenal” that they’re doing the same thing. 🤔 https://t.co/aI14hOiV0r
— Ericks🟢n Kiva Presented by Acrisure (@EricksonKiva) December 26, 2025
Inside the halftime speech from Pat Fitzgerald in the 2018 Holiday Bowl win for Northwestern.
“One stop, one score, one stop, one score, now here we go.”
NU defeated Utah 31-20 and forced five second half turnovers after trailing 20-3 at halftime of the game.
Via @NU_Sportspic.twitter.com/95ceeIhcdP
— Kenny Jordan (@Kenny_Jordan5) December 26, 2025
Stoked for Whittingham? Less than 48 hours ago you were saying you didn’t believe anything Thamel said when he mentioned him as one of the three candidates. On brand, Gregg!
— Andrew Cumbow (@ACumbow) December 26, 2025
So let me get this straight – Whittingham wasn’t good enough for Utah to keep but Michigan fans see it as a potential home run hire?
— FitzManMSU (@FitzManMSU) December 26, 2025
Had to do a double take here to check and see if this was a legit account 😂😂 https://t.co/2X5kHZcLFt
— Ryan (@SpartanRyan) December 26, 2025
He also has allegations of sign stealing at Utah so its a match made in Heaven
— Coonass Politico (@BryanHe33647268) December 26, 2025
Urban Meyer vs Kalen Deboer in the very real Hypothetical Situation Paul Bunyan Bowl would have been special
Fitz vs Whittingham will suffice though
— Sav (@B1Gsad) December 26, 2025
“He’s a program builder and he’s here to turn the program around after scandal”
“His teams are tough and disciplined”
“It’s not an issue that he’s never coached East of the Rocky Mountains. Program fit is overrated”
“He’s bringing his staff with him, they work well together” pic.twitter.com/rxwiCMWWa5
— sarge (@sarge____) December 26, 2025
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This article originally appeared on Spartans Wire: MSU fans, media react to Wolverines hiring Kyle Whittingham as next head coach
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