Coaching Contract Dispute
University of Utah Sues Freddie Whittingham Over Contract Breach After Michigan Move
Key Points
The Utah lawsuit centers on a liquidated damages clause that allegedly required Freddie Whittingham to pay 75% of his remaining Utah salary if he left before the contract expired, with Utah asserting he did not fulfill this obligation.
Whittingham’s new Michigan contract is a two-year deal that pays $600,000 in the first season and $650,000 in the second, with athletic director Warde Manuel retaining discretion to award a signing bonus of up to $605,000.
Whittingham had been with Utah since 2012, serving in multiple roles (including director of player personnel and recruiting coordinator) before becoming the tight ends coach at Michigan.
Along with Freddie, five full-time Utah coaches followed Kyle Whittingham to Michigan, including offensive coordinator Jason Beck, offensive line coach Jim Harding, wide receivers coach Micah Simon, and defensive line coach Lewis Powell.
The University of Utah filed a lawsuit against former tight ends coach Freddie Whittingham on August 3, alleging breach of contract and fiduciary-duty violations after he left to join his brother Kyle at Michigan KSL Sports. Utah is seeking more than $300,000 for breach and at least $1 million for general and fiduciary-duty damages, plus punitive damages CBS Sports. Whittingham had been under contract through January 2027 but departed without paying a required liquidated-damages clause worth 75% of his remaining salary.
The Contract Dispute and Missing Payment
Utah claims Whittingham abandoned his duties and failed to pay liquidated damages owed under his existing contract Deseret News. The coach's former agreement required him to pay 75% of his remaining Utah salary if he left before the contract expired. Utah says Whittingham left without obtaining written consent or providing written notice to the university KSL Sports.
Five Utah Coaches Followed the Whittinghams to Michigan
Beyond Freddie, five full-time Utah coaches joined Kyle Whittingham at Michigan CBS Sports. The group includes offensive coordinator Jason Beck, offensive line coach Jim Harding, wide receivers coach Micah Simon, and defensive line coach Lewis Powell CBS Sports. Utah also accuses Freddie of actively recruiting Utah players to follow him to Michigan.
Freddie's New Michigan Contract Details
Freddie Whittingham signed a two-year deal at Michigan as tight ends coach Deseret News. The contract pays $600,000 in year one and $650,000 in year two. Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel retained the power to award a signing bonus of up to $605,000 at his discretion Deseret News.
Years of Utah Service Before the Family Move
Freddie Whittingham had worked at Utah since 2012 in multiple roles Deseret News. He served as director of player personnel and recruiting coordinator before becoming tight ends coach. His departure marks the latest blow from a coaching exodus that saw Kyle Whittingham leave Utah after 15 seasons to take the Michigan head-coaching job CBS Sports.
Sentiment
Mostly NegativePublishers
15
Articles
130
Reach
145
