It was a rare late opening in the college football schedule, but arguably one of the best head coaching positions in the country shockingly became available in mid-December.
The Michigan Wolverines fired Sherrone Moore, who had replaced Jim Harbaugh following the program's national title in 2023, for cause due to a scandal involving his alleged "inappropriate relationship" with a staffer. Moore was then arrested on the evening of Dec. 10 as part of an investigation into a alleged assault.
Now, one of the most recognizable brands in college football and a Big Ten powerhouse has an available head coaching job — but the job opening in December, with the coaching carousel already nearly complete, has thrown a wrench into the Wolverines' process. From Kalen DeBoer to Jedd Fisch though, there remains some intriguing candidates for Michigan.
Here are the latest rumors on Michigan's head coaching search.
MORE: Everything to know about Sherrone Moore scandal, following arrest
Michigan coaching rumors tracker
Backup candidates to DeBoer include Eli Drinkwitz, Jedd Fisch
- Date: Dec. 20
- Source: Pete Thamel
In his Friday ESPN appearance, Thamel also reported that while DeBoer is considered the top candidate for Michigan, other names to watch include Missouri's Eli Drinkwitz and Washington's Jedd Fisch. He also mentioned ASU coach Kenny Dillingham, but he then received an extension announced on Dec. 20.
“Michigan officials aren’t solely focused on DeBoer. I’ve been told by sources that they’ve had a handful of exploratory conversations with different candidates this week,” Thamel said, per On3. “The hiring pool, if it’s not DeBoer, sources have told me, would involve Kenny Dillingham of Arizona State, Eli Drinkwitz of Missouri and Washington’s Jedd Fisch. The timing could be tricky. Two of those coaches – Dillingham and Drinkwitz – have post Christmas bowls.”
Kalen DeBoer remains top Michigan target, but Alabama CFP loss would have made his hiring more 'tenable'
- Date: Dec. 20
- Source: Pete Thamel
Prior to Alabama's CFP matchup against Oklahoma on Friday night, ESPN's Pete Thamel reported that sources had told him "Michigan officials remain convicted" that they want to make a run at Crimson Tide head coach Kalen DeBoer, who has insisted he will be coaching in Tuscaloosa next season.
However, Thamel noted that an Alabama first-round CFP loss would have made those logistics much more realistic — and afterward, the Crimson Tide defeated the Sooners 34-24 to move onto the quarterfinals.
Even before his CFP win, DeBoer said he feels "completely supported" at Alabama and that he hasn't talked with any other teams about coaching when asked about the Michigan opening. He also released a statement about his commitment to Alabama.
Kenny Dillingham signs new Arizona State extension with Michigan rumors
- Date: Dec. 20
- Source: Pete Thamel
Arizona State head coach Kenny Dillingham has received a new contract with the Sun Devils worth an average of $7.5 million over the course of the deal, per Thamel.
The extension takes Dillingham out of the pool of candidates for Michigan's opening, as he had been a rumored candidate previously.
Utah's Kyle Whittingham has 'expressed interest' in Wolverines' job
- Date: Dec. 20
- Source: Detroit Free Press
Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham, who will depart from the Utes after coaching in the Las Vegas Bowl, has previously said he wants to continue coaching and considers himself "in the transfer portal.
Whittingham has expressed interest in Michigan's opening, per the Detroit Free Press.
Michigan has interest in Browns OC Tommy Rees
- Date: Dec. 11
- Source: Cleveland.com
The Wolverines have shown interest in Cleveland Browns offensive coordinator Tommy Rees for their head coaching job, per Cleveland.com. Rees was formerly the offensive coordinator at Notre Dame and Alabama, and he was promoted to the Browns' OC for the 2025 season.