New Michigan coach Kyle Whittingham focused on integrity, not noise

NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...

In the not-so-recent past, the ideals that surrounded a so-called 'Michigan Man' meant winning with integrity, not being above reproach, and winning the right way. However, with numerous scandals coming out of the university (some justified, some perhaps not), the perception of a 'Michigan Man' needs a bit of a PR overhaul.

Hence, enter former Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham.

With Jim Harbaugh's departure to the NFL also coinciding with two NCAA investigations and followed by an extremely messy tenure and firing of his successor, Sherrone Moore, there needed to be a big shift in just about everything with the football program. At 66, Whittingham brings experience, calmness, and a steady hand, which the Wolverines desperately need.

Appearing on Wake Up Barstool, while he may be an outsider, Whittingham's goal is to restore the perception of the 'Michigan Man' to being one of having a sparkling, sterling reputation. Compared to that of which it had been in recent years.

"The 'Michigan Man' persona is — and I've been studying up on it and all the tradition. I've been a Michigan fan forever, since I was seven years old," Whittingham said. "I watched the Michigan-Ohio State game, watched those winged helmets come out of the tunnel, Bo vs. Woody. I was intrigued from that point on, and so I've been following Michigan for a lot of years.

"But I'm excited to quell the drama, I guess you can say, and get things back on track, and have it be all about football. And what we're going to accomplish on the field, and I think the players are eager to do that too. And give them credit through all that they went through, to be able to get a nine-win season last year is pretty impressive."

Whittingham has been on the job now for just over a week, having been hired on the final Friday in December and introduced to the world a week ago Sunday. He arrived in Ann Arbor after the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl (which was on Wednesday) and spoke to the Crisler Center crowd for the Michigan basketball game against USC on Friday.

This article originally appeared on Wolverines Wire: Kyle Whittingham aims to restore meaning of the 'Michigan Man'

More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos