The Modernization of Ann Arbor: Michigan Football Bolsters Front Office with Peloquin and Pettit

College football is no longer just about the "Xs and Os" on the Saturday gridiron; it is about the "prospects and portfolios" managed throughout the week. In a clear signal that the program intends to dominate the new era of roster construction, Michigan football has finalized two cornerstone hires for its front office:   Dave Peloquin as General Manager and Chris Pettit as Assistant General Manager. Under the leadership of head coach Kyle Whittingham, these moves represent more than just staffing changes—they mark a fundamental shift toward an NFL-style "Front Office" model designed to navigate the dual challenges of the transfer portal and Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL).

Dave Peloquin: The NIL Architect Dave Peloquin arrives in Ann Arbor with a resume that bridges two distinct worlds: elite collegiate administration and the professional athlete market. Having spent 21 years at Notre Dame, Peloquin was a fixture in South Bend, serving under five different head coaches and rising to the role of Assistant Athletics Director for Football Strategic Initiatives. His tenure included the foundational work for multiple College Football Playoff appearances and a National Championship game berth.

Happy to have Dave Peloquin with the program as our General Manager! pic. twitter.

com/b2DN86aLfJ — Michigan Football (@UMichFootball) March 24, 2026 However, it is his most recent chapter that makes him a "savvy play" for the Wolverines. Peloquin joins Michigan directly from Athletes First, one of the world’s premier sports agencies, where he served as GM of the collegiate division. This experience gives Michigan an unprecedented advantage: a General Manager who has sat on the "other side of the table.