The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1542609
26 THE WOLVERINE ❱ FEBRUARY 2026 BY JOHN BORTON N ew Michigan head coach Kyle Whittingham knows just what he wants in his first season in Ann Arbor. Offen- sively, that involves a whole lot more of what he just witnessed in Utah. And why not? Jason Beck delivered what Whittingham termed an "A-plus perfor- mance" as offensive coordinator for the Utes last season. Now, he gets a chance to renew the magic some 1,600 miles to the east. Beck produced a dramatic turnaround in Salt Lake City this year, his first with the Utes. Utah suffered through a shock- ingly slumping season in 2024, going 5-7 largely due to an anemic offense after starting quarterback Cam Rising missed most of the season with injury and fresh- man Isaac Wilson struggled, like many rookie college quarterbacks. Whittingham brought Beck in from successful stints as a quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator at Syracuse (2022-23) and New Mexico (2024), and the Utes exploded on offense during this year's 10-2 run. After averaging just 23.6 points and 329.8 yards per game in 2024 — both outside the top 100 in the nation — Utah soared to a top-five offense this year. With Beck flipping the switches on the scoring side of the line of scrimmage, the Utes tore it up like Michigan did on the way to a national championship in 2023. Beck's crew wound up second in the na- tion in average rushing yards per game (266.3), fourth in total offense (482.9) and fifth in scoring offense (41.2). The Utes threw only 5 interceptions, also fifth-best in the nation. They converted third-down situations at a 52.6 clip, better than all but two pro- grams nationally. They also featured the No. 12 red zone offense in the country. Needless to say, Whittingham wouldn't mind seeing some of that in Michigan Sta- dium — and neither would the 110,000- plus who will pack the place every time the Wolverines take the field in 2026. Beck, a former BYU quarterback, de- livered in all sorts of ways, Whittingham assured. "I love the physicality of the game, and there's nothing more that demonstrates physicality than running the football and defending the run," Whitting- ham said. Obviously, Beck got that done, something sophomore back Jordan Marshall and incoming freshman Savion Hiter will appreciate, not to mention junior Justice Haynes, if he opts to return for a senior season. "Jason has really been a huge positive for us," Whit- tingham said. "Jason's done a phenomenal job for us this year. Statistically, that is borne out." While Michigan has also hired Koy Det- mer Jr., the former Utah QBs coach, Beck's intimate knowledge of the position cer- tainly won't hurt. Freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood now has an entire sea- son of starting under his belt, and should be ready to take a big step forward under the new crew. Underwood expressed his own confidence in Whittingham and his staff by letting it be known he's staying put at U-M. Beck's offense in Utah, constructed around the run-pass option, proved a very good fit for this year's Utes QB, Devon Dampier. He threw for 2,490 yards this season, and his assessment of the OC should put a smile on Underwood's face. "My favorite part is the trust level," Dampier said. "He gives me every play out there. "There are multiple options of what I can do with the ball, and he makes the plays where I get to make the best decision every play. "And I think having that freedom, I'm always in control of our destiny, and I feel like I make the best decisions on the field." Michigan still faces some construc- tion work on offense in the weeks ahead — namely, shoring up its offensive line, receivers and tight ends. But the Wolverines definitely won't go empty- handed into the '26 season, including at the coordinator spot. ❏ ❱ Jason Beck Bio Notes • Jason Beck also enjoyed great success prior to last season, fashioning New Mexico's offense into a top-five unit in 2024. The Lobos featured the No. 5 rushing offense nation- ally (253.6 yards per game), No. 4 total offense (484.3) and No. 4 squad in total first downs (298). He coached Devon Dampier at quarterback, who finished second in the Mountain West Conference with 2,768 yards passing. • Beck's two-year tenure at Syracuse (2022-23) included the program setting a school record for total yards in a season opener (677) and most rushing yards in a contest since 1996 (392). • Beck served as Virginia's quarterbacks coach for six seasons (2016-21). Bryce Perkins led the ACC and finished No. 6 in the nation in total offense (4,307) in 2019 under Beck's guidance. Perkins also threw for a UVA-record 3,538 yards that season. • Beck also coached quarterbacks at BYU (2013-15), Simon Fraser (2012) and Weber State (2009-11). He began his coaching career as an intern at BYU (2007) and then LSU (2008). New OC Jason Beck Is No Stranger To The Boss Beck's 2025 offense at Utah ranked second nationally in rushing, averaging 266.3 yards per game. PHOTO COURTESY UTAH ATHLETICS