Kyle Whittingham Retains Key Assistant Lou Esposito for Michigan Football

New Michigan football coach Kyle Whittingham has confirmed his commitment to retaining several members of the previous coaching staff for continuity, with the latest announcement being Lou Esposito, who will continue as the defensive line coach in Ann Arbor. A source familiar with the situation, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the absence of a formal announcement, confirmed the decision to the Detroit Free Press.

Esposito joins running backs coach Tony Alford, who was the first assistant retained ahead of the 2026 season. Esposito has been a member of the Wolverines’ coaching staff for the past two seasons, having been brought on board from Memphis after the previous hire, Greg Scruggs, was arrested for driving while intoxicated.

The retention of Esposito has proven beneficial for Michigan, as he was recognized last summer as the No. 3 recruiter in the nation, according to 247Sports. His efforts have played a significant role in developing several players who have made it to the NFL, including Mason Graham, Kenneth Grant, and Josaiah Stewart. More players are expected to join that list in the upcoming season.

In a statement reflecting on his time at Michigan, Esposito remarked, “I feel like the biggest thing here is, once you get a guy to come here and see this place and be around the people, it doesn’t compare to anywhere else. There are great places everywhere, but it’s just different here.” He emphasized the unique combination of football, academics, and career opportunities available at Michigan, stating, “Some places might have really, really good football, really, really good academics, and people who will help you in your career afterward. But the combination of all three—there aren’t many schools that do that, and we’re one of them.”

Esposito is set to be joined by Lewis Powell, who is transitioning from Utah to take charge of the edge position previously held by Pernell McPhee. With these additions, the Wolverines’ coaching staff is nearing completion, although they still require a linebackers coach, a secondary coach, and a special teams coach, along with additional analysts and assistants.

The first new hire formally announced by the Michigan football team was defensive coordinator Jay Hill, whose appointment was made public on January 2, 2024. Further announcements regarding the coaching staff are anticipated throughout the day as the Wolverines prepare for the upcoming season.