Michigan Football’s New Head Coach Kyle Whittingham Has a Golf Side Worth Knowing

The University of Michigan has officially hired Kyle Whittingham as its new head football coach, bringing decades of championship level experience to Ann Arbor. Known nationally for his consistency, discipline, and leadership, Whittingham arrives with one of the most respected resumes in college football.

While his accomplishments on the sideline are well documented, there is another side of Whittingham that resonates with Michigan’s golf community. Away from football, he is an avid golfer who values time on the course as a way to reset, compete, and connect with others. Like many coaches and executives, golf has long been part of how he balances the demands of leadership.

Those familiar with Whittingham often point out that his approach to coaching mirrors the mindset required in golf. Patience, preparation, adaptability, and the ability to stay steady under pressure are hallmarks of both. His teams have been known for their toughness and attention to detail, traits that golfers understand all too well when grinding through a round.

Whittingham has also been active in charity golf events throughout his career, participating in scrambles and fundraising tournaments that bring together coaches, alumni, and community leaders. Watch this quick clip of Whittingham at a recent golf event. These events highlight golf’s unique role as a social and philanthropic platform, something that continues to be a major part of the game across the country.

For Michigan golfers, his arrival adds an interesting crossover between football and golf culture. Ann Arbor and the surrounding region are home to some of the state’s most active golf communities, and it is easy to imagine Whittingham finding his way onto local fairways during the offseason. Golf has a way of building relationships and opening conversations, especially in a state where the game plays such a central role.

As Michigan begins a new chapter on the football field, Whittingham’s connection to golf is a reminder that the game extends far beyond scorecards and tournaments. It remains a place where leaders recharge, compete, and connect. For Metro Detroit golfers, it is another example of how golf continues to intersect with sports, business, and life in meaningful ways.