University of Utah sues Freddie Whittingham over Michigan move

The University of Utah has filed a lawsuit against Freddie Whittingham, a former assistant coach who recently joined the University of Michigan football staff. The legal action, filed in Utah’s 3rd District Court, alleges breach of contract and violations of fiduciary duty following Whittingham's departure to join his brother, head coach Kyle Whittingham, in Ann Arbor.

Utah is seeking more than $300,000 for breach of contract, at least $1 million in punitive damages, and additional damages related to fiduciary duty. The lawsuit claims Whittingham failed to devote full attention to his duties at Utah during the transition, engaged with Michigan without required written permission, and failed to provide proper notice.

Notably, the university alleges that while several other coaches followed Kyle Whittingham to Michigan, Freddie Whittingham is the only one who did not fulfill the liquidated damages clause required by his contract. Whittingham had been with the Utah program since 2012 before signing a two-year contract with Michigan in January.