Kyle Whittingham, 66, had been the head football ‌coach of the Utes for 21 seasons before saying he was stepping away from the job after a 10-2 season. While he didn't announce his retirement, he later said it would ​have taken a very special job to get him back on the ​sideline.

Michigan was that program, and Kyle Whittingham added his brother to ⁠his coaching staff. Freddie Whittingham, 60, had been on his brother's Utah staff ​since 2012, filling a variety of roles.

The Salt Lake Tribune reported Thursday that the ​university filed suit in Utah's 3rd District Court on Aug. 3, accusing Freddie Whittingham of job abandonment because his contract ran through Jan. 31, 2027, with a base salary of $525,000. Utah contends ​the coach committed other acts that violated his agreement.

Citing pending litigation, a Utah ​spokesperson declined to comment to the newspaper. Michigan did not immediately reply to a request for ‌comment.

According ⁠to The Tribune, Utah also accuses Freddie Whittingham of the following: failing to get permission from the school before having job talks with Michigan; failing to provide a written resignation before accepting the Wolverines' offer; recruiting Utes players to transfer to ​Michigan, which five did; ​not paying liquidated ⁠damages for his departure as specified in his contract; and a lack of devoting his "full-time attention and energy" to his ​job.

Utah is asking for more than $300,000 for breach of contract, ​punitive damages ⁠and at least $1 million in general and special damages, per The Tribune.

The newspaper also reported that six coaches who departed for Michigan had a liquidated damages clause in their ⁠contracts, ​and Freddie Whittingham is the only coach who has ​not met the terms.

No. 21 Utah opens the 2026 season at home on Sept. 3 against Idaho. ​No. 16 Michigan opens at home on Sept. 5 against Western Michigan.

--Field Level Media