Alex Whittingham Challenges Michigan’s Linebackers to Become Game Changers

Michigan linebackers coach Alex Whittingham has seen enough to know his group can handle its responsibilities. Now he wants more plays that change games.

Meeting with reporters this week, Whittingham acknowledged the progress of a position group that entered the season facing questions. But his assessment came with a clear challenge: Michigan’s linebackers must turn sound positioning into more sacks, tackles for loss and interceptions.

The standard, he explained, extends beyond simply being where the defense requires them to be. Michigan needs its linebackers to disrupt possessions, create turnovers and give the offense shorter fields.

Whittingham’s frustration is rooted in the difference between completing an assignment and taking advantage of an opportunity. He said his players generally have occupied the correct gaps, but he wants them attacking downhill with greater confidence when their reads tell them where the ball is going.

That does not mean abandoning responsibilities. His emphasis is on trusting preparation, recognizing an opening and arriving with enough aggression to make contact behind the line of scrimmage.

Whittingham also placed responsibility on himself. He said those habits must be developed throughout the practice week before they can consistently appear on Saturdays.

The same principle applies in pass coverage. Whittingham said he must prepare his linebackers for the route concepts they are most likely to encounter, helping them understand where their drops can place them in throwing lanes. Familiarity should allow them to recognize opportunities and challenge passes.

Chase Taylor offers one example of the potential Whittingham wants to unlock. The coach praised Taylor’s length and athleticism, pointing to an open-field tackle against a quarterback keeping the ball on a zone read during Michigan’s previous game.

Taylor also has handled assignments across Michigan’s 3-3, 4-2 and 4-3 packages. That versatility reflects his ability to manage different responsibilities mentally, while additional experience should help him play faster within each role.

Whittingham believes Taylor has considerable room to grow, particularly when it comes to anticipating throws and producing interceptions.

The coach’s explanation of a 54-yard run allowed by the defense illustrated why execution remains essential. Michigan had called a short-yardage pressure designed to fill every gap and stop the play in the backfield. With fewer defenders available behind that pressure, a missed tackle created room for an explosive gain.

Whittingham said the call had positioned the defense to succeed. The missing piece was finishing.

That is the next step he wants throughout the linebacker room. Michigan has established a foundation of assignment discipline, but Whittingham is pushing for more decisive production.

For him, improvement now means turning correct reads into tackles behind the line and well-positioned coverage into takeaways.