New Michigan head coach Kyle Whittingham made his feelings on the Ohio State rivalry crystal clear at Big Ten Media Days on Thursday. The former Utah coach wants The Game to remain one of the most intense and emotional matchups in college football — just without the personal hatred that has sometimes defined it in recent years.
Kyle Whittingham Says Hate Has No Place in the Michigan-Ohio State Rivalry
“I’ve learned how intense that rivalry is and how important the game is,” Whittingham said. “Hate is a strong word, but I want to win that game as badly as anybody in Ann Arbor.”
When asked if he planned to lean into the animosity that existed between Ohio State coach Ryan Day and former Michigan coaches Jim Harbaugh and Sherrone Moore, Whittingham shut the idea down immediately.
“I just think a rivalry can be intense and emotional without the hatred factor. I don’t think there’s any place for that personally,” he said. “I think Ryan Day is a good person. To sit here and say I hate Ryan Day, I’d be making crap up because that’s not true.”
Kyle Whittingham’s Connection to Urban Meyer Shapes His View of The Game
Whittingham’s perspective on the rivalry was shaped long before he arrived in Ann Arbor. He served as Utah’s defensive coordinator for a decade, including two seasons under Urban Meyer in 2003 and 2004. The two developed a close relationship that has lasted ever since.
During Meyer’s time at Ohio State, the pair frequently discussed The Game. That history gave Whittingham a deep appreciation for what many consider the greatest rivalry in sports and a genuine respect for both programs.
Whittingham also knows Day “casually” from coaching against him in the 2022 Rose Bowl, a 48-45 Ohio State victory. Later that year, after Utah’s win over USC in the Pac-12 Championship Game helped clinch a College Football Playoff spot for the Buckeyes, Whittingham delivered a light-hearted on-air message: “Coach Day, you’re welcome.”
Urban Meyer Welcome at Michigan Practices — With One Big Exception
Whittingham closed his media session with a humorous note that perfectly captured his approach. He said Meyer is welcome to attend Michigan practices this season — just not during rivalry week.
“If Urban wants to come to practice, he can come every week but one,” Whittingham said with a smile. “There’s one week he can’t come.”
What Kyle Whittingham’s Stance Means for the Michigan-Ohio State Rivalry in 2026
Whittingham is setting a different tone for one of college football’s fiercest matchups. He wants the intensity, the emotion, and the all-out desire to win without the personal vitriol. For Michigan fans, the message is clear: the new coach is fully bought into the importance of beating Ohio State, but he plans to do it his way.
As the Wolverines prepare for fall camp and another chapter in the historic rivalry, Whittingham’s comments suggest a return to fierce competition rooted in respect rather than hatred.
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