After Michigan made a significant move by hiring BYU defensive backs coach Jernaro Gilford on Saturday, only one position coach remained to be filled. Following Kyle Whittingham’s appointment as the Wolverines’ head coach, he brought over most of his own coaching staff while retaining three members from Sherrone Moore’s previous team.

To complete the final spot on the coaching staff, Whittingham turned to his family. Alex Whittingham will take on the role of linebackers coach for the 2026 season.

Michigan’s Full Defensive Staff Under Whittingham

Here is the complete list of Michigan’s defensive coaching staff under Whittingham:

• Defensive coordinator: Jay Hill
• Defensive line: Lou Esposito
• Defensive ends/Edge: Lewis Powell
• Defensive line analyst: David Denham
• Linebackers coach: Alex Whittingham
• Defensive backs coach: Jernaro Gilford
• Special teams coordinator: Kerry Coombs
• Assistant special teams coach: Garrett Clawson

More on Alex Whittingham as LB Coach

Alex Whittingham is in his first season coaching linebackers at Michigan in 2026. Before joining the Wolverines, he spent eight years with the Kansas City Chiefs organization, where he held various roles within the defensive coaching staff. At the time of his hire to U-M following the 2025 season, Whittingham was serving as the team’s assistant defensive line coach.

During his tenure with the Chiefs, Whittingham was part of five Super Bowl teams, including the LIV (2020), LVII (2022), and LVIII (2023) championships. He worked with every defensive position group during his time with the franchise. His roles included two years as a defensive assistant (2018, 2024), five years as a defensive quality control coach (2019, 2020–2023), and one year as the assistant defensive line coach for the 2025 campaign.

Whittingham started his career with the Chiefs by working with the outside linebackers before transitioning to the defensive line in 2019. For the next four seasons, he coached the linebackers group and then moved to the secondary in 2024.

Coaching Experience and Success

As a member of the Kansas City staff, Whittingham worked closely with defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo since his hiring in 2019. The Chiefs consistently ranked among the top-10 in points allowed in six of Whittingham’s eight years with the team, including a top-six finish in each of his last three seasons. In each of his final four seasons (2022–2025), the team also ranked in the top-12 in yards allowed per game across the NFL.

Whittingham has had the opportunity to work with some of the league’s top defensive players, including defensive linemen Frank Clark and Chris Jones; linebackers Nick Bolton, Dee Ford, Willie Gay, Justin Houston, and Drue Tranquill; and defensive back Trent McDuffie. During his time with the outside linebackers room, Ford tied for the NFL lead with seven forced fumbles and recorded a career-high 13.0 sacks. In 2021, while working with the linebackers, Bolton was voted by his teammates as the team’s Mack Lee Hill award winner as the best rookie or first-year player. The following season, Bolton set the team’s single-season franchise record with 180 tackles. Players coached by Whittingham combined for four Pro Bowl selections during his time with the Chiefs.

Background and Personal Life

Whittingham’s coaching career began after his playing days at Utah (2013–2017), where he walked on to play under his father and appeared in 45 games for the Utes. He and his wife, Gabi, have two daughters, Eleanor and Amelia, and a son, McCoy.