Report: Top target emerges for Michigan head coach job

Michigan is searching for a new head football coach following the recent dismissal of Sherrone Moore, and the school has reportedly identified its top candidate.

ESPN's Dan Wetzel and Pete Thamel reported on Friday that Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham has "emerged as the focus" of Michigan's search for a new head coach. It is believed that a deal could come together rather quickly if University of Michigan officials give the green light to athletic director Warde Manuel to make Whittingham an offer.

Michigan fired Moore for cause on Dec. 10 after an investigation determined that he allegedly engaged in an inappropriate relationship with a staff member.

Kyle Whittingham is moving on from Utah

Whittingham announced earlier this month that he has decided to step down as the head coach at Utah following the Utes' game against Nebraska in the Las Vegas Bowl on New Year's Eve. The 66-year-old is not planning to retire, however, as he joked that he is entering the transfer portal.

Whittingham has been the head coach at Utah for 21 seasons. He has an overall record of 177-88 and had a perfect 13-0 season in 2008. Whittingham was an assistant at Utah for several years before being named head coach in 2005.

Utah is 10-2 overall this year and went 7-2 in the Big 12 conference.

Michigan is likely targeting an experienced coach

Michigan went 16-8 in two seasons under Moore, who took over after Jim Harbaugh left to become the head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers. The Wolverines seem to be searching for an experienced head coach candidate, and Whittingham certainly fits that description.

Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer and other big names have been linked to the Michigan job, but Whittingham would make a lot more sense as the next head coach in Ann Arbor. If he wants to continue coaching a program that is nationally relevant, Michigan has the type of job that should interest him.