Dave Portnoy wasted no time weighing in on Michigan’s coaching search, unveiling a seven-name short list that featured one particularly unconventional option. Colorado head coach Deion Sanders might be down on many lists, but not for the Michigan superfan.
Portnoy’s group included Jon Gruden, Nick Saban, Dan Lanning, Jeff Monken, Clark Lea and Kenny Dillingham. But Sanders stood out as the most surprising. The Wolverines fired Sherrone Moore on Wednesday following an internal investigation, and Portnoy quickly offered his take on the program’s next move.
Sanders is coming off his third season at Colorado, finishing 3-9 in what was easily his most challenging year in Boulder. A cancer battle, first year without coaching his sons, blood clots, and leadership issues have all made headlines.
This is my short list.
— Dave Portnoy (@stoolpresidente) December 11, 2025
Gruden
Saban
Lanning
Jeff Monkin
Clark Lea
Kenny Dillingham
Deion
While many would believe Portnoy added Sanders largely because of their past connection as co-hosts on Barstool’s NFL show, the idea of Coach Prime in Ann Arbor still generates buzz His recruiting pull and national profile would represent a dramatic shift from Michigan’s traditional approach.
The early favorite to replace Moore remains Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer, whose potential move could spark another wave of upheaval across the sport.
If DeBoer does land in Ann Arbor, it may trigger an unprecedented coaching carousel and keep Portnoy’s list relevant as the dominos begin to fall.
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