Michigan fires offensive coordinator Jason Beck after second film review
Head coach Kyle Whittingham says the team's 15-6 loss to Michigan State revealed too much regression to wait until the end of the season.
By Andrew Bennett ·
Kyle Whittingham changed his mind about the Wolverines' offense after watching the tape a second time. The Michigan head coach initially planned to evaluate offensive coordinator Jason Beck after the season ended. However, a closer look at the 15-6 loss to Michigan State led to an immediate dismissal.
Whittingham stated on Monday that the decision to fire Beck was his alone. He noted there was zero outside influence on the choice. The coach explained that the regression in the game was too severe to address later. Michigan installed offensive line coach Jim Harding as the interim offensive coordinator following the firing.
The numbers from the season support the urgency of the move. Michigan scored fewer than 20 points in six of Beck's nine games in the role. The team topped 30 points only once, a 52-17 victory against UTEP. In the Michigan State game, the Wolverines recorded 192 total yards. Seventy-five of those yards came on a fourth-quarter drive after the outcome was decided.
Beck arrived in Ann Arbor on a lucrative contract. The three-year deal was worth $9.15 million, with a $1.74 million signing bonus included. Michigan also guaranteed $3.1 million in retention bonuses. If Beck receives the full contract value, the university will pay him $14 million for nine games, minus any earnings from his next position.
The offense struggled to adapt to the existing roster. Quarterback Bryce Underwood threw five touchdown passes and six interceptions. He lost the starting job to freshman Tommy Carr, though Whittingham said the staff will reevaluate the position before Saturday's game at Oregon. Running back Jordan Marshall, who had two carries for four yards against Michigan State, averages 3.7 yards per carry this season. That is down from a 6.2 average last year.
Fans and the coaching staff criticized the reliance on specific formations, including the use of a sixth offensive lineman. Whittingham admitted the team did not flex its scheme enough to fit its personnel. He noted that the staff could not remain rigid and expected results to improve. The coach said the offense needed to adapt to the strengths of the players on the field.
Harding, who served as co-offensive coordinator at Utah under Whittingham from 2015 to 2016, will lead the offense for the remainder of the season. Whittingham said the change will not be a complete overhaul. The team plans to add a few new wrinkles to the existing system. Michigan needs to win one of its final three games against Oregon, UCLA, and Ohio State to qualify for a bowl game.
