Kyle Whittingham likely loses heir after Michigan cuts ties with Sean Magee. 🏈️🤔

Michigan makes a sweeping front-office purge, with multiple key personnel cut as the program undergoes a major staffing transition in the wake of recent program damage. The most notable change: Sam Popper, Michigan’s Director of Recruiting, will depart to join San Diego State as associate general manager. This move follows the university’s dismissal of GM Sean Magee, Director of Player Personnel Albert Karschnia, and Director of On-Campus Recruiting Kayli Johnson, leaving Michigan’s leadership uncertain.

Popper, a UM alumnus who has built recruiting connections across Oregon, Memphis, and Akron in addition to Michigan, had been connected to possible GM opportunities within the Wolverines’ hierarchy. However, sources indicate the GM post did not materialize for him, and his new role in San Diego State represents a significant shift for both parties.

San Diego State is set to hire Popper as associate general manager, according to sources cited by On3. The move marks a notable convergence of Popper’s recruiting expertise with SDSU’s athletic department leadership as the Aztecs seek to strengthen their personnel structure amid ongoing program development.

The broader Michigan personnel changes leave the Wolverines without a clearly defined leadership group in their football front office, a situation acknowledged by insiders. The program has not publicly detailed the rationale behind the staffing shakeup, but it comes amid heightened scrutiny of on-field results and program operations.

This is a developing story, with updates expected as both Michigan and San Diego State confirm terms and timelines for the transitions. Stay tuned for additional reporting on the impact of these moves on recruiting strategy and program direction for the Wolverines.