11/08/2026 05:55:00
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11/08 17:54 CST Michigan coach Kyle Whittingham fires embattled offensive
coordinator Jason Beck
Michigan coach Kyle Whittingham fires embattled offensive coordinator Jason Beck
By LARRY LAGE
AP Sports Writer
ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) --- Kyle Whittingham has made his first major move as
Michigan's coach, firing embattled offensive coordinator Jason Beck.
"The results have not matched our desired outcome, and I felt that a change in
leadership was required for our offense," Whittingham said in a statement
Sunday night. "We need to put our offensive players and the entire team in the
best possible position to be successful."
Whittingham named Jim Harding as interim offensive coordinator for the rest of
the season. Harding is the team's offensive line coach and assistant head
coach. He worked with Whittingham for 12 seasons at Utah, including two years
as co-offensive coordinator.
The Wolverines (5-4, 2-4 Big Ten) started the season ranked No. 16 in the AP
Top 25 and have fallen short of expectations with one of the nation's worst
offenses, shaky special teams and a defense that has been solid at times.
Michigan might fall short of earning a bowl bid as underdogs at No. 18 Oregon
(6-3, 3-2) on Saturday, at home against No. 4 UCLA and against rival and
21st-ranked Ohio State on the road.
The Wolverines barely avoided being shut out for the first time since 2014
against rival Michigan State, scoring with 1:35 left in a 15-6 loss after being
favored to win by two touchdowns.
Michigan was been held scoreless in the first half three times in a season for
the first time since 1979.
Under Beck, the Wolverines were ranked No. 132 out of 138 FBS teams in total
offense, No. 126 in scoring, No. 125 in passing offense and No. 109 in rushing
offense.
Beck was Whittingham's offensive coordinator at Utah last season, helping the
team rank No. 2 in rushing, No. 4 in total offense and No. 5 in scoring
offense. He was New Mexico's offensive coordinator in 2024.
"We appreciate the hard work and effort that Jason has dedicated to the
program," Whittingham said. "Jason is a great man and coach, and unfortunately,
it did not work out the way that we wanted it to at Michigan. We wish Jason and
his family nothing but the best in the future."
After a 20-14 loss to Minnesota last month, when quarterback Bryce Underwood
did not play well one week after making many positive plays in a loss to Iowa,
tight end Zach Marshall criticized Beck in group text messages that were leaked
on social media.
Marshall publicly apologized, but he did not play in the following game against
Penn State due to a noninjury situation, according to Whittingham.
Michigan's quarterback situation that Beck managed was closely watched with a
former No. 1 recruit getting benched in favor of a backup with a familiar name.
Underwood was taken out of the game against Penn State after the team was held
scoreless in a first half for the first of three straight home games. Tommy
Carr, whose grandfathers are College Hall of Famers and brother is Notre Dame's
quarterback, successfully filled in for Underwood in a comeback win against the
Nittany Lions.
Carr struggled against the Spartans, but Whittingham said the offensive coaches
wanted to stick with him and the head coach said he agreed with their call.
No matter who has taken snaps this season, Michigan has failed to consistently
make plays on offense and it cost Beck his job.
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