The University of Utah has taken a significant step in addressing what it perceives as a breach of contract by one of its former assistant coaches, Freddie Whittingham. The university has filed a lawsuit against Whittingham, alleging that he abandoned his position without fulfilling his contractual obligations.

According to the lawsuit, Whittingham had been a member of Utah’s football staff since 2012 and was under contract until January 31, 2027, with an annual base salary of $525,000. The university claims that Whittingham failed to obtain written permission before discussing a position with Michigan, failed to provide written notice of his resignation, and did not pay the liquidated damages required by his contract.

The lawsuit also alleges that Whittingham recruited Utah players and recruits to Michigan while he was still under contract. It is claimed that Whittingham was part of a group of five full-time Utah assistants who followed Kyle Whittingham, his brother and the former Utah head coach, to Michigan. However, Whittingham is the only one who did not fulfill his contractual liquidated-damages obligation.

The university is seeking more than $300,000 for breach of contract and at least $1 million in general and special damages in a separate fiduciary-duty claim, along with punitive damages. The lawsuit also alleges that Whittingham’s actions caused harm to the university, including the loss of valuable players and recruits.

The incident in question occurred earlier this year when Kyle Whittingham left Utah after 21 seasons as the program’s winningest coach to take the Michigan job. Freddie Whittingham joined his brother’s staff at Michigan shortly after, allegedly without fulfilling his contractual obligations to Utah.

According to the report, Utah associate athletic director Jeff Rudy told Whittingham on January 1 that he remained a Utah employee despite reports that he was joining Michigan. However, later that night, Rudy allegedly found Whittingham and his family members clearing out his office.

The next day, Whittingham appeared with Kyle and other former Utah staff members at a Michigan basketball game, where Kyle introduced the group as members of his new staff. The university also alleges that a Michigan athletics employee contacted the school on January 3 about transferring Whittingham’s phone line.

Whittingham later told Rudy that he expected Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel to contact Utah about a potential buyout. However, the university claims that Whittingham disputed that he owed the liquidated damages.

The incident has sparked a heated debate about the ethics of coaching staff moving between programs. The lawsuit has also raised questions about the responsibilities of coaches and their obligations to their former employers.

Utah’s lawsuit against Whittingham serves as a reminder of the complexities of contract law in the sports industry. The outcome of this case will be closely watched by fans, coaches, and universities across the country.