New Michigan Wolverines football coach Kyle Whittingham made clear Thursday that the storied rivalry with the Ohio State Buckeyes can thrive on intensity and emotion without personal animosity.
Speaking at Big Ten Media Days, Whittingham addressed questions about “The Game” and any lingering tensions between the programs.He emphasized respect over bitterness toward Buckeyes coach Ryan Day.
“A rivalry can be intense and emotional without the hatred factor,” Whittingham said. “I don’t think there is any place for that personally. 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.”
The comments came as Whittingham settles into his first season leading the Wolverines after more than two decades as head coach at Utah.
Recent years have seen heightened friction in the series, including a postgame altercation in 2024 after Michigan players planted a flag at midfield in Ohio Stadium following an upset victory.
That incident followed Michigan’s fourth consecutive win over the Buckeyes and required police to use pepper spray to separate the sides.
Whittingham, however, indicated he does not plan to fuel personal hostility or dwell on past conflicts.
“Hate’s a strong word,” Whittingham said. “But I want to win that game as badly as anybody in Ann Arbor.”
He described himself as an old-school coach who prefers to focus on one contest at a time rather than fixating early on the late-season matchup.
Whittingham noted the Wolverines have 11 games scheduled before facing Ohio State and will not get ahead of themselves. He already understood the rivalry’s national significance before arriving in Ann Arbor through conversations with longtime friend Urban Meyer, who previously coached the Buckeyes.
Those talks left him well-versed in the intensity, implications and broad appeal of the annual contest.
Whittingham recalled interacting with Day during Rose Bowl preparations years earlier and forming a positive impression based on that meeting and Meyer’s input. He expressed admiration for Day’s abilities and track record of success as a coach.
Whittingham said he has learned more about how important the game is to both fan bases and programs since taking the Michigan job. Still, he stressed that competitive fire does not require manufactured dislike between the head coaches.
The ideal scenario, in his view, would involve the Michigan-Ohio State game deciding the Big Ten championship. That outcome would raise the stakes in a meaningful way for both sides and create an outstanding finish to the regular season.
Whittingham’s measured tone marks a shift from some previous Michigan coaches who leaned more openly into the rivalry’s sharper edges. He made clear the thought of leaning into past animosity never crossed his mind.
As the season approaches, attention will turn to whether the programs can maintain the series’ competitive fire under this approach focused on mutual respect.
