Kyle Whittingham wasted zero time after watching the film from that brutal 15-6 loss to rival Michigan State. Monday, just a day after the fact, he officially let go of offensive coordinator Jason Beck. Whittingham didn’t mince words, saying “it became apparent to me that needed to make the change now.” You gotta respect a coach who makes a tough call when he knows it’s time, especially when he’s swearing up and down there was “zero” outside influence on the decision.
A Season Spiraling Towards Disaster
Look, this hasn’t been the year anyone expected for the Wolverines. They kicked off the season ranked No. 16 in the AP Top 25, but they’re sitting at a disappointing 5-4 overall and 2-4 in the Big Ten. For a first-year coach, that’s rough. With just three games left on the schedule, they’re in a desperate spot, needing to pull off a massive upset just to become eligible for a bowl game. And if you look at the offensive numbers, it’s clear why Beck is out. Under his watch, the Wolverines were ranked No. 132 out of 138 FBS teams in total offense. Think about that for a second. One hundred thirty-second! They were also No. 126 in scoring, No. 125 in passing offense, and No. 109 in rushing offense. It’s tough to win when your offense just can’t get going. That 15-6 loss to Michigan State, where they were favored by two touchdowns, was a gut punch, they barely avoided their first shutout since 2014, scoring with just 1:35 left. To make matters worse, this team has been held scoreless in the first half three times in a single season for the first time since 1979. That’s a stat that screams “change needed to happen.”
New Blood, But At What Cost?
So, with Beck out, Whittingham named Jim Harding as the interim offensive coordinator for the rest of the season. It’s a big move, but Whittingham also acknowledged a pretty significant hurdle: the coaching staff apparently lacks guys with play-calling experience. That’s a tough spot to be in when you’re trying to turn things around mid-season. And the quarterback situation? It’s still up in the air. Whittingham wouldn’t even name a starter for the upcoming game against No. 18 Oregon. We’ve seen Tommy Carr replace Bryce Underwood in that comeback win against Penn State, but let’s be real, both have struggled to lead this offensively challenged team all year.
Now, the Wolverines hit the road to face No. 18 Oregon on Saturday. After that, they’ll return home to host No. 4 UCLA before traveling to battle rival and 21st-ranked Ohio State. The season is on the brink for Whittingham’s crew. Can Harding light a fire under this offense? Can they find a quarterback to step up? They’ll need a miracle, and a huge upset, to even make a bowl. Get ready for some high-stakes football, because this team has everything to play for.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Fox Sports.
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