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For the vast majority of Saturday night's game between No. 16 Michigan and Western Michigan, it looked as if the Broncos were going to upset the heavily-favored Wolverines in Kyle Whittingham's debut.
Michigan's offense looked stagnant for most of the night, and trailed 12-7 inside the final minute. But after a Bryce Underwood Hail Mary touchdown pass attempt, the referees inexplicably gave him one last extra shot, claiming there was one second left on the clock, despite double zeroes seemingly hit.
On his second try, he completed a desperate heave to give Michigan the 13-12 win:
Bryce Underwood and the Michigan Wolverines win it on a HAIL Mary. pic.twitter.com/aUjmqR5lct https://t.co/VwVg5QMGir
— Woodward Sports Network (@woodwardsports) September 6, 2026Michigan finished the night with just 12 total first downs, and had 276 total yards of offense. The Wolverines were also out-gained by WMU on the ground 132-106.
While just barely beating a Group of 6 team at home doesn't exactly exude confidence, Whittingham is far from the first Michigan head coach to have a poor coaching debut. Here's a look back at how some of the previous UM head coaches did in their debuts.
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Sherrone Moore, 2024: Beat Fresno State
The coach who Whittingham replaced had a smooth debut, beating Fresno State 30-10. But the Wolverines' offense struggled, scoring just two offensive touchdowns, getting the rest of their points by a pick-six and field goals.
Jim Harbaugh, 2015: Loss to Kyle Whittingham and Utah
Michigan opened the 2015 season on the road against Utah, taking on the Utes on a Thursday night Week 1 game. Michigan lost 24-17, as Wolverines starting quarterback Jake Rudock threw three interceptions.
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Brady Hoke, 2011: Beat Western Michigan
Harbaugh's predecessor in Brady Hoke did not have as rough a time as Whittingham did on Saturday. His Wolverines beat WMU 34-10. Running back Fitzgerald Toussaint had two touchdowns on the day.
Rich Rodriguez, 2008: Loss to Utah and Kyle Whittingham
It is ironic that Whittingham used to make it a habit of beating Michigan teams during season-openers. He defeated Michigan once again in 2008, defeating the Wolverines in a close one, 25-23.
Michigan had three fumbles on the day. Although Michigan did score a touchdown off a Sam McGuffie run late in the fourth, the Wolverines' two-point conversion that would have tied it fell short.
Lloyd Carr, 1995: Beat Virginia
Lloyd Carr's 1995 Michigan team opened at home, taking on the then-No. 18 ranked Virginia Cavaliers. The Wolverines pulled out an 18-17 come-from-behind win. Michigan quarterback Scott Dreisbach threw two fourth-quarter touchdown passes.
Gary Moeller, 1990: Loss to No. 1 Notre Dame
This matchup was a huge one, as the Wolverines entered as Top-Five teams, with Michigan ranked No. 4 at the start of the season. The Wolverines went on the road to South Bend and played well, but lost 28-24.
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