The University of Utah is suing former tight ends coach Freddie Whittingham for breach of contract after following his brother, Kyle Whittingham, to Michigan this offseason, according to multiple reports on Thursday, Aug. 20.
The lawsuit claims Freddie Whittingham abandoned his position around Jan. 1, although he was under contract through Jan. 31, 2027. Utah is seeking more than $300,000 and at least $1 million in damages, according to the lawsuit.
The lawsuit also alleges Freddie Whittingham didn't provide Utah with written notice before leaving the school for Michigan, nor did he pay the liquidated damages required in his contract. The lawsuit states
Utah associate athletic director Jeff Rudy called Freddie Whittingham on Jan. 1 to inform him he was still employed by the school.
The lawsuit also claims Michigan associate athletic director Jerry Wood sent an email to an unnamed Utah staffer on Jan. 3 asking Utah to transfer Freddie Whittingham's phone line to Michigan's accounts. Freddie Whittingham then texted Rudy later that day saying Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel would reach out to discuss a buyout.
Freddie Whittingham spent 14 seasons on the Utes' staff under his brother, who was hired to replace Sherrone Moore as Michigan's head coach prior to the season. Freddie Whittingham was Utah's director of player personnel from 2012-15 before becoming tight ends coach from 2016-25. Freddie Whittingham is currently Michigan's tight ends coach.
The lawsuit alleges Freddie Whittingham was recruiting Utah players to Michigan while still under contract with the school, among them tight end JJ Buchanan, who's now with the Wolverines.
Kyle Whittingham was hired as Utah's defensive line coach in 1994 before rising through the ranks as defensive coordinator and then head coach, a position he took over in 2005. His new job at Michigan is the first time the Utah native has coached outside of Utah since 1993, when he was an assistant at Idaho State.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Utah suing Kyle Whittingham's brother, Freddie Whittingham, for breach of contract
