At his introductory press conference in Orlando, new Michigan football head coach Kyle Whittingham wasn’t pounding podiums, stating it was the most important game on the schedule, or any other performative act about the Ohio State rivalry. In fact, he was pretty earnest — The Game was important to his formation as a football fan, player, and coach, but it also hasn’t been the center of his universe.
Now that Whittingham has made it to Ann Arbor, he’s becoming more acclimated to all things maize and blue, even if he keeps recalling his close friendship with a sworn enemy of the Wolverines in Urban Meyer.
On Monday, Whittingham appeared on Wake Up Barstool and discussed the Ohio State rivalry with Dave Portnoy. He’s still harkening Meyer, but at the same time, as he says, that’s been instrumental for him when it comes to understanding what’s at stake.
“Well, you know what? Urban Meyer, a good friend of mine,” Whittingham said. “I learned about the right from him when he was up there that team down south, I should say. He’s indoctrinated me on the whole thing. But it’s gonna be intense. I can tell you that right now, intensity is probably the word that fits best, and we got — I’ve noticed the signs up in the facility here. No red, no green in the building.
“And so I feel it, and I’ve been glad — you mentioned I’ve been involved in a pretty bitter rivalry with the Holy War, and so I’m looking forward to it. I’m excited about it.”
Not all coaches in the rivalry have been insiders, but it certainly helps to put The Game into perspective. Even if Whittingham isn’t indoctrinated, he is a Meyer pupil and has several others on staff, including running backs coach Tony Alford and special teams coordinator Kerry Coombs at Ohio State, and defensive coordinator Jay Hill at Utah.
This article originally appeared on Wolverines Wire: New Michigan coach Whittingham talks Ohio State on Wake Up Barstool
Reporting by Isaiah Hole, Wolverines Wire / Wolverines Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
