2026 was a star-studded year for athletics at the University of Michigan. Leading the Big Ten with nine championships, the Wolverines’ 29 varsity sports continued to excel and compete at the highest level. Seven of those 29 programs finished the season top 10 in the national rankings, highlighted by the men’s basketball team’s first national championship since 1989.
The Michigan Daily penned stories for every notable moment of the 2025-26 school year. In honor of athletics entering its final stretch, The Daily provides a recap of every memorable moment in Michigan sports.
Football hires new coach Kyle Whittingham for 2026-27 season
Former Wolverines coach Sherrone Moore was fired for cause Dec 10, and Michigan’s search for a new coach culminated in the hiring of former Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham. Over 22 years with the Utes, Whittingham posted a career record of 177-88, with an 11-6 bowl game record. Whittingham led Utah to eight 10-win seasons, bringing the program from mid-major ranks to a perennial power conference contender. Fresh off a 10-2 campaign in 2025, Whittingham brings offensive coordinator Jason Beck, five former Utes and high expectations with him to the Big House.
Women’s basketball makes run to Elite Eight
Wolverines coach Kim Barnes Arico matched 2021’s program-best March Madness finish with a run to the Elite Eight, powered by the sophomore guard trio of Olivia Olson, Syla Swords and Mila Holloway. Olson and Swords, who averaged 18.9 and 16 points per game, respectively, were each named to the All-Big Ten First Team. Holloway was selected as an honorable mention, while senior guard Brooke Quarles Daniels made the All-Defensive Team. The squad fell to No. 1 seed Texas 77-41, but all three guards will return as juniors — a steady core that already drove the Wolverines to their most successful season in program history.
Baseball brings down No. 15 Oregon with stunning Cooper Mullens walk-off
After an up-and-down 16-14 start, redshirt sophomore designated hitter Cooper Mullens sparked an electric second half when he helped take down the mighty Oregon at home through a walk-off single. The son of Ducks athletic director Rob Mullens, Cooper stepped up to the plate with the bases loaded and two outs. In a storybook finish, he sent home two runners to give Michigan a 4-3 win and clinch the series over his father’s team. The Wolverines remain in contention for an NCAA regional appearance for the first time in coach Tracy Smith’s tenure.
Men’s basketball wins national championship
In his second season with the program, Michigan coach Dusty May took the Wolverines to their second ever national championship, and first since 1989. With stars like graduate forward Yaxel Lendeborg, junior point guard Elliot Cadeau, sophomore forward Morez Johnson Jr. and junior center Aday Mara, Michigan overtook Connecticut, winning 69-63. The Wolverines finished the season 37-3 with an average margin of victory of 17.8 points per game, tying their total record for wins and bringing national-championship hardware back to Ann Arbor.
Hockey wins Big Ten Tournament, falls in Frozen Four
After a dominant season boasting some of the best players in the country, the Wolverines entered the Big Ten Tournament as the No. 2 seed — a slight downgrade compared to the No. 1 seed they looked to claim earlier in the season. But seeding proved unimportant as Michigan hoisted the tournament trophy in Yost Ice Arena for the first time ever on home turf. Entering the postseason as the No. 1 seed nationally, the Wolverines advanced to the Frozen Four where they lost to Denver in a close overtime game, 4-3.
Fred Richard wins third NCAA all-around title in four years
In Champaign, Ill., senior Fred Richard became the third male gymnast in NCAA history to earn three outright individual titles. Richard earned silver medals on the floor, parallel bars and pass, along with the highest rings score among all-arounders. Michigan, the defending national champions, couldn’t secure back-to-back titles as the Wolverines placed third in the nation. Still, Richard cemented himself as one of the most decorated athletes in Michigan history.
Women’s tennis wins Big Ten Tournament and regular season titles, Max Dahlin sweeps Big Ten awards
Michigan women’s tennis finished with a 21-7 season, winning both the Big Ten regular season and Tournament titles — coach Ronni Bernstein’s 13th regular season and seventh Tournament wins, respectively, in her 19 seasons at the helm. The Wolverines fell in the third round of the NCAA Championship to No. 5 North Carolina, but No. 8 sophomore Piper Charney brought down the Tar Heels’ NCAA individual champion Reese Brantmeier at one singles.
On the men’s side, freshman Max Dahlin became the first-ever player to win both Big Ten Freshman of the Year and Big Ten Player of the Year honors, while also being named a unanimous selection to the All-Big Ten First Team and the All-Freshman Team. In the second-to-last ITA rankings of the season, Dahlin placed No. 7 in singles with 42.67 points.
Softball makes third-straight NCAA regional, 32nd all time
After a season of ups and downs — from getting swept twice to start conference play to sweeping rivals Michigan State to finish it — the Wolverines qualified for the NCAA Tournament once more. This year they received an at-large bid, finding themselves in the Norman regional. Super sluggers sophomore right fielder Lauren Putz and junior center fielder Jenissa Conway, along with ace right-hander Gabby Ellis, led Michigan to the regional final before the Wolverines fell to the Sooners, 8-1, ending their season with a 36-22 record.
Other notable moments:
- Volleyball wins NCAA Tournament game for first time in seven years
- Women’s swim and dive team wins Big Ten regular season title
- Track & Field: Trent McFarland earns back-to-back Big Ten indoor mile gold medals, Miles Brown breaks collegiate indoor 600-meter record
- Wrestling: Taye Ghadiali wins Big Ten heavyweight title, places 3rd at NCAAs
- Women’s lacrosse makes NCAA second round, beats Maryland for first time in program history
Attending sporting events outside of football is an incredibly rewarding experience for Michigan students. Make sure to experience everything the University has to offer in the world of athletics!
