Michigan fires offensive coordinator Jason Beck, who could be owed up to $10.1 million

Michigan fired offensive coordinator Jason Beck on Sunday, a day after a 15-6 home loss to Michigan State. Pete Thamel first reported the move, and the school confirmed it in a statement from first-year coach Kyle Whittingham.

Per his contract, Beck is set to be owed up to $10.1 million, Thamel reported, nearly $7 million in salary and about $3.1 million in retention bonuses, subject to offset and mitigation. It is believed to be the largest buyout ever for a college assistant.

Why now

Whittingham said Monday he had planned to wait until the season ended. "When I turned the film on and really dove into it, it just became apparent to me that we needed to make the change now," he said. "There was just too much regression in that particular game."

Michigan was held scoreless for more than 58 minutes against the Spartans and lost for the first time in 30 years in a game where it did not allow a touchdown, according to ESPN. The Wolverines are averaging 19.6 points per game.

Offensive line coach Jim Harding will serve as interim coordinator. Whittingham said he will not call plays himself and will look for a proven coordinator, preferably with Midwest ties, after the season.

Beck followed Whittingham from Utah, where he ran the nation's No. 4 scoring offense. Michigan (5-4) plays at Oregon on Saturday.