Michigan fired head coach Sherrone Moore on Wednesday for cause following an internal investigation into an inappropriate relationship with a staff member. Hours after his dismissal, Moore was arrested and now faces three criminal charges, accelerating an already volatile situation for the Wolverines.
With just 20 days until the transfer portal opens, Michigan now finds itself searching for a new head coach at an awkward point in the calendar. Most major coaching hires are already complete, but Michigan's recent national title and long-term resources still make the job one of the most attractive in the sport.
"It's a top-five job in the sport," an industry source told On3.
After speaking with sources over the last several days, here is what you need to know.
Hiring timeline
Michigan has hired search firm TurnkeyZRG to assist with the process. The firm is founded and chaired by Michigan graduate Len Perna. Athletic director Warde Manuel's job status has not changed, and barring any developments, he is expected to play a central role in the search. TurnkeyZRG will help assemble and vet a list of candidates as Michigan formally ramps up the process.
Sources told On3 that the ideal goal is to have a new head coach in place by Jan. 2, when the transfer portal opens. That timeline would allow players to meet the next head coach before making decisions about their futures, a critical factor given the timing of Moore's dismissal.
Money matters
Michigan has already shown it is willing to spend at the highest level of the sport. The clearest example came with Bryce Underwood, who signed a record-setting NIL deal when he flipped his commitment from LSU to Michigan. On3 reported at the time that Underwood's four-year agreement was believed to be worth between $10 million and $12 million.
That level of financial commitment extends beyond recruiting and only strengthens Michigan's position when evaluating coaching candidates. The Wolverines have the resources to support a roster and staff capable of competing for national championships, which remains a major selling point despite the current turmoil.
Realistic Michigan candidates
Because the job opened in mid-December, Michigan's candidate pool is naturally impacted by recent hires and extensions around the country. With Kalen DeBoer, Kenny Dillingham, and Lincoln Riley seemingly out of the running, sources believe Michigan will now focus on other realistic options.
Washington's Jedd Fisch is certainly a name to watch. He has won at Arizona and Washington as a head coach, and was previously on Jim Harbaugh's staff at Michigan as a quarterbacks coach.
At least five other sitting head coaches have come up in conversations, too. Each presents different levels of fit and availability depending on timing and interest.
One coach who would not need to be pried from a current job is Brian Kelly, who was fired at LSU in October. Kelly owns a 297-109-2 career record and previously rebuilt Notre Dame into a national contender.
From the NFL ranks, former Michigan defensive coordinator Jesse Minter remains a name to watch. He followed Jim Harbaugh to the NFL after Michigan's 2023 national title and led the top-ranked defense in the country that season. Other NFL names mentioned include Browns offensive coordinator Tommy Rees and former Giants head coach Brian Daboll.
See all of the names Michigan could be considering here.
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