Kyle Whittingham Completes Coaching Staff with Key Defensive Hires

Kyle Whittingham has made significant progress in assembling his coaching staff, fulfilling his promise to have 90% of the team in place by the weekend. It now appears that the staff is nearing completion, particularly at the top levels.

The offensive coaching staff was largely known before Saturday, including offensive coordinator Jason Beck, running backs coach Tony Alford, wide receivers coach Micah Simon, offensive line coach Jim Harding, and tight ends coach Freddie Whittingham. However, the defensive staff remained a mystery beyond defensive coordinator Jay Hill. On Saturday, Michigan officially announced its defensive coaching staff, along with the retention of special teams coordinator Kerry Coombs.

Jernaro Gilford was revealed as the defensive backs coach earlier on Saturday, but the linebacker position remained open until Michigan confirmed that Kyle’s son, Alex Whittingham, would take over that role. Alex, who has been with the Kansas City Chiefs for the past seven years, brings valuable experience to the Wolverines’ program.

Lewis Powell will be responsible for coaching edge rushers, while Lou Esposito remains as the defensive line coach. David Denham will continue as an analyst for the defensive line. Additionally, Kerry Coombs will remain as special teams coordinator, and Garrett Clawson will continue as assistant special teams coach.

New Defensive Staff Members

Jernaro Gilford – Defensive Backs

Jernaro Gilford brings extensive experience as a secondary coach. He spent the last 10 seasons coaching cornerbacks at BYU, where he was elevated to Defensive Passing Game Coordinator for the 2025 season. Gilford has helped 10 players reach the NFL, including three draft picks. Over his 10 seasons at BYU, he has guided seven players to nine all-conference honors, including four honorees since 2023.

Gilford’s work has led to three seasons with a top-30 ranking in passing yards allowed per game and four seasons with a top-30 mark in pass efficiency defense. The secondary produced 15-plus interceptions and a top-20 national rank in that category six times, including each year from 2023-25.

Before moving into coaching, Gilford played cornerback at BYU, graduating in 2004 with a degree in sociology. He appeared in 37 games for the Cougars with 28 starts, totaling 10 career interceptions, and was a first-team All-Mountain West pick in 2001.

Lewis Powell – Defensive Ends/Edges

Lewis Powell has 17 years of experience at the collegiate level, with 14 of those years spent as a coach. He has worked nearly his entire career with defensive linemen and defensive ends. Powell has spent the past 11 seasons, and 14 of 17 overall, as a member of the Utah staff.

Powell has helped eight Utah players reach the NFL, including six draft picks. Six different players achieved All-America honors under his coaching, including three first-team or consensus honorees. Powell has mentored three Ted Hendricks Award finalists and two Pac-12 Defensive Morris Trophy winners.

During his time with Utah’s defensive line and defensive ends, the Utes were consistently among the nation’s top rushing defenses. Powell’s defensive lines also consistently put opponents behind the line of scrimmage, leading the Pac-12 in tackles for loss on five occasions.

Alex Whittingham – Linebackers

Alex Whittingham has been part of the Kansas City Chiefs organization since 2018, occupying several roles as part of the defensive coaching staff across eight seasons. He has worked with every defensive position group during his time with the franchise, including the outside linebackers, defensive line, and secondary.

Whittingham was a part of five Chiefs teams that reached the Super Bowl, including the LIV (2020), LVII (2022), and LVIII (2023) titles. He has assisted 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.

Whittingham’s coaching career began after his playing career at Utah (2013-17), where he walked on to play under his father and appeared in 45 games for the Utes.