Biff Poggi steps into a role he's known for, but the timing is challenging. His priority as Michigan’s interim coach has been listening to players, parents and staff as the program processes the sudden firing of Sherrone Moore and prepares for its bowl game.
Poggi made his first public comments since being named interim head coach following Moore’s dismissal with cause last week. A move that pushed Michigan into an already crowded coaching carousel. Moore went 17-8 in two seasons as the Wolverines’ full-time coach before being fired last week.
“I’ve met individually with all the players multiple times and Zoomed with parents multiple times,” Poggi said. “The message has been listening. I want to understand what the kids are feeling and what their parents are feeling. There’s been a wide range of emotions, as you can imagine.”
Michigan interim coach Biff Poggi spoke about fallout since Sherrone Moore's firing.
— Brad Galli (@BradGalli) December 16, 2025
"It has been a tumultuous time," he said. "Disbelief, then anger, then really, what we're in right now is the kids, quite frankly, feel very betrayed, and we're trying to work through that." Pic.twitter.com/w7Fg8n1exo
Michigan is one of several Power Four programs set to have a new head coach in 2026, a number that could grow depending on the outcome of its ongoing search. The program is still a top destination in college football.
Poggi is a familiar figure in Ann Arbor. He previously served as an analyst in 2016 and as associate head coach during Michigan’s 2021 and 2022 seasons under Jim Harbaugh. He left to become head coach at Charlotte, where he went 6-16 over two seasons before being fired with two games remaining in 2024.
Poggi returned to Michigan this season in an associate head coaching role and has prior experience leading the team in an interim capacity. He filled in during Moore’s suspensions earlier this season related to the sign-stealing investigation.
Michigan will again turn to Poggi to lead the Wolverines in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl. No. 18 Michigan will face No. 13 Texas on Dec. 31 at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida.
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