Michigan has fired offensive coordinator Jason Beck, the football program announced Sunday.
The dismissal comes after the Wolverines’ 15-6 loss to Michigan State on Saturday night, in which Michigan generated just 192 yards of offense and didn’t score until scoring a touchdown with 1:55 left.
Advertisement
Offensive line coach Jim Harding is expected to assume the role of interim CO, according to On3’s Pete Nakos.
In Beck’s nine games as OC, Michigan ranked No. 132 out of 138 FBS teams in total offense with 2,723 yards. Averaging 19.6 points per game, the Wolverines were the 13th worst team in the country.
“The results did not meet our expectations and I felt a change in leadership was needed for our offense,” Michigan head coach Kyle Whittingham said in a statement. “We need to put our offensive players and the entire team in the best possible position to succeed.”
Advertisement
A national search for a new offensive coordinator will be conducted, according to Michigan.
Beck was the highest-paid offensive coordinator in the country, earning an annual salary of $3 million on his three-year contract. Michigan owes him $10.1 million over the remainder of his contract until he gets another coaching job elsewhere, according to ESPN’s Pete Thamel.
“At some point, you have to have results”
After the loss to Michigan State, Whittingham was asked if he would consider replacing Beck after the offense’s poor production throughout the season.
“Not now. Not while I’m sitting here on this podium, no,” Whittingham said. “But at some point you have to get results. It’s a results-driven business and it’s about results.”
“I will evaluate everything after the season and determine what is the best course of action,” he added. “But not here, not now.”
After one season as OC with Utah, Beck followed Whittingham to Michigan. During the 2025 season, the Utes ranked fourth in the nation in total offense and points per game (41.1). Prior to joining Whittingham’s staff, Beck held offensive coordinator positions at Syracuse and New Mexico.
Advertisement
With 16 years of coaching quarterbacks on his resume, the hope was that Beck could unlock highly touted (and highly paid, via NIL) sophomore Bryce Underwood. Still, Underwood struggled, completing 58% of his passes for 924 yards, 5 touchdowns, and 6 interceptions before being benched for freshman Tommy Carr.
Carr hasn’t fared much better in his five games, throwing for 641 yards, 2 TDs, and 3 INTs while completing 67% of his passes. This would seem to indicate that Michigan’s offensive woes are systemic rather than tied to quarterback play.
Perhaps most confusing is the Wolverines’ ineffectiveness in running the football. Jordan Marshall and Bryson Kuzdzal returned for this season, along with five-star prospect Savion Hiter, ranked by On3 as the top recruit in the country. Still, Michigan currently ranks 109th in total rushing yards and 128.7 yards per game.
Advertisement
Beck’s plan, often employing a “Rhino” package with six offensive linemen, was also heavily criticized. Backs would be asked to run wide, rather than using a power attack between or outside the tackles.
This lackluster production could also reflect poorly on Harding’s offensive line coaching, which doesn’t necessarily bode well for improvements over Michigan’s next three games (at Oregon, against UCLA and at Ohio State).
Gn sports
