Michigan’s sudden head coaching vacancy has the college football landscape bracing for a shift. The late-cycle search for one of the sport’s premier jobs was unexpected.
The Wolverines fired Sherrone Moore last week for cause following an internal investigation that found he engaged in an inappropriate relationship with a staff member. Moore was arrested hours later and now faces three criminal charges. The dismissal leaves Michigan scrambling to secure a new coach with roughly 20 days before the transfer portal opens Jan. 2.
Despite the timing, Michigan remains an elite destination. The Wolverines won a national championship just two years ago and have shown a willingness to spend at the top of the sport, highlighted by quarterback Bryce Underwood’s reported four-year NIL deal valued between $10 million and $12 million after he flipped his commitment from LSU. Athletic director Warde Manuel is expected to lead the search with the help of an external firm, with the goal of hiring a coach before the portal opens.
Three names continue to surface most frequently in conversations surrounding the job.
Alabama’s Kalen DeBoer is viewed as a top-tier target. In his second season with the Crimson Tide, DeBoer has Alabama back in the College Football Playoff and remains one of the most respected offensive minds in the game. Getting him away would be difficult, but Michigan’s resources make it possible.
Washington’s Jedd Fisch is another prominent candidate. Fisch has won at both Arizona and Washington and previously served on Jim Harbaugh’s staff at Michigan as quarterbacks coach. After Washington’s 38-10 win over Boise State in the LA Bowl, Fisch downplayed the speculation. “I’m fully focused on our team,” he said.
The one candidate available without a buyout is Brian Kelly. Fired by LSU in October, Kelly owns a 297-109-2 career record and previously restored Notre Dame to national relevance. His experience and availability make him a name to watch as Michigan begins a high-stakes search under intense scrutiny.
Whichever direction Michigan goes in, this can't be a miss. The next head coach will be leading the program into a new era and away from a fractured past. Not an easy task for the best coaches.
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