Michigan kicks off its 2026 football season this week under new head coach Kyle Whittingham. However, Whittingham has been in the headlines for a different reason lately, with The Salt Lake Tribune reporting last week that a contingent of former Utah players felt pressured by Whittingham to play through injuries.
In an appearance on The Dan Patrick Show on Tuesday, Whittingham was asked about the accusation and made his stance clear.
“Never in my career have I ever tried to sway (or) influence, whatever
the word is, our medical staff wherever I’ve been,” Whittingham said. “We listen to the medical staff if they say a player is available, we go with that, and if they say he’s not available, we go with that. Never in my career have we ever crossed the line of trying to override a medical decision.”
The accusations were originally made by six football players who played at Utah between 2020-24. One of the players, Van Fillinger, alleged he was told he wouldn’t be allowed to redshirt after being told by a doctor that he should rest an ankle injury for six weeks. He also alleges he’d be told he’d be “kicked off the team” if he didn’t return to play.
In addition to Whittingham’s own refutation, the University of Utah Athletic Department and University of Utah Health also released a joint statement last week with the Tribune’s original reporting.
“The University of Utah Department of Athletics follows all University and national guidelines to ensure student success and safety – We routinely evaluate our processes and welcome the opportunity to make adjustments if we determine our policies are not meeting expectations,” the statement read.
The Tribune also received a similar refutation from a Michigan spokesperson, who was asked for comment.
“Coach Whittingham or his coaching staff did not make medical decisions [at Utah]. He followed the lead of the medical team,” the spokesperson told the Tribune.
Michigan will open its season on Saturday against Western Michigan.
