Michigan’s defensive coaching staff under Kyle Whittingham is set, and it includes a recent NFL assistant.
Alex Whittingham, who spent the 2025 season as the Kansas City Chiefs’ assistant defensive line coach, rounds out his father’s defensive staff in Ann Arbor.
The staff was unveiled by the team on Saturday, with the group led by recently announced defensive coordinator Jay Hill. Hill, who comes from BYU, was recently touted by Kyle Whittingham as a “great leader” with the “sharpest mind.”
Alex is one of Kyle Whittingham’s two sons. A former walk-on at Utah, he has been on the Chiefs’ staff since 2018, working his way up from defensive assistant and quality control coach to his role with the defensive line in 2025.
Also announced on Saturday was defensive backs coach Jernaro Gilford. Gilford spent the last 10 years at BYU coaching cornerbacks and was part of a defense in 2024 that led the nation in interceptions (22). He was elevated to passing-game coordinator in 2025.
The duo joins veteran defensive ends coach Lewis Powell, who spent the last 11 seasons at Utah under Whittingham. His track record includes eight players in the NFL and six NFL draft picks.
Complementing the new faces will be defensive line coach Lou Esposito, retained from the former staff in a planned move previously reported by MLive. Analyst David Denham is also being kept on staff.
Also retained is special teams coordinator Kerry Coombs, also reported by MLive on Friday, who arrived at Michigan just days before former coach Sherrone Moore was fired on Dec. 10. Garrett Clawson will also stay on as assistant special teams coach, Michigan said.
An updated look at Michigan’s defensive and special teams staff:
Coordinator • Jay Hill (BYU)
Defensive line • Lou Esposito (Michigan)/ analyst David Denham (Michigan)
Defensive ends/ edges • Lewis Powell (Utah)
Linebackers • Alex Whittingham (Chiefs)
Defensive backs • Jernaro Gilford (BYU)
Special teams coordinator • Kerry Coombs (Michigan)/ assistant Garrett Clawson (Michigan)