The University of Michigan unexpectedly joined the ongoing search for a new head coach in college football for the 2025 season this Wednesday, announcing the termination of coach Sherrone Moore’s employment due to specified reasons.
The institution stated that Mr. Moore was implicated in an improper liaison with a member of the personnel. Within hours of Michigan revealing Moore’s dismissal, information surfaced indicating his apprehension by law enforcement in a neighboring community, possibly facing accusations concerning an event that occurred on Wednesday night.
As Biff Poggi assumes leadership as the temporary coach for the upcoming Citrus Bowl game versus Texas, the Wolverines organization is now actively seeking a permanent head coach. Below are five potential candidates considered suitable for Michigan.
Jedd Fisch, Washington
Following Washington’s integration into the Big Ten conference, Fisch currently possesses two years of leadership experience as a head coach within the league. He previously served as an assistant at Michigan for two years, specifically during the 2015 and 2016 campaigns, overseeing the team’s passing strategy before transitioning to UCLA where he became the offensive coordinator, eventually taking on the interim coaching role for the Bruins towards the season’s conclusion.
While Fisch might not represent the most high-profile selection, his background includes considerable time in the NFL, having served as the quarterback coach for the New England Patriots in the 2020 season prior to accepting the top coaching position at Arizona.
After succeeding Kevin Sumlin, the Wildcats posted a 1-11 record in Fisch’s inaugural year; however, Arizona’s performance enhanced to 5-7 in 2022 and subsequently reached 10-3 in 2023, preceding his move to Seattle to fill Kalen DeBoer’s role. Under his direction, the Huskies have achieved a 14-11 overall record across his two terms, securing an 8-4 mark in 2025.
Manny Diaz, Duke
Might Michigan offer Diaz a renewed opportunity at a historically strong program? The erstwhile Miami coach recently celebrated a conference victory, with his Blue Devils compiling a 6-2 record within the league prior to their triumph over Virginia in the ACC championship match on Saturday evening.
Diaz’s two-year tenure in Durham has seen Duke achieve a 17-9 standing. During his three years leading Miami, the Hurricanes recorded 21 wins against 15 losses. His most successful season there was in 2020, when Miami finished 8-3.
Following his exit from Miami – where Mario Cristobal was subsequently appointed as his successor – Diaz served as Penn State’s defensive coordinator for a pair of seasons. This constitutes his sole coaching stint within the Big Ten, yet the Nittany Lions compiled an impressive 21-5 record during his two-year stay in State College. For the 2023 season, Penn State secured the third-best ranking nationally in defensive scoring, conceding an average of 13.5 points per contest and 4.2 yards per snap.
Kalen DeBoer, Alabama
Indeed, Alabama remains a participant in the College Football Playoff. Nevertheless, it was quite conceivable to picture DeBoer leading Michigan subsequent to the 2023 campaign, had the Wolverines pursued an external candidate rather than advancing Moore after Jim Harbaugh’s transition to professional football.
However, DeBoer assumed the coaching role at Alabama, and the Crimson Tide have since recorded three defeats in two consecutive seasons. The benchmark established by Nick Saban in Tuscaloosa proved unattainable. One must revisit the initial two seasons under Mike Shula’s tenure to locate the previous instance where Alabama experienced at least three losses in successive years.
Should DeBoer choose, on his own volition – a significant contingency – to depart Tuscaloosa after a possible defeat to Oklahoma on December 19th, this situation might present an unparalleled prospect for him. Such an event would also ignite one of the most turbulent coaching movements ever witnessed, as a vacancy at Alabama would undoubtedly send repercussions throughout the entire athletic landscape.
Jay Harbaugh, Seattle Seahawks
Consider the scenario where Michigan sought to employ a Harbaugh not subject to NCAA sanctions. Jay currently oversees special teams for the Seattle Seahawks, operating under the direction of former Michigan assistant Mike Macdonald. Prior to his move to Seattle after the 2024 season, Harbaugh was employed by Michigan since his father’s appointment in 2015, where he instructed the team’s tight ends, running backs, special teams units, and safeties during his tenure at the institution.
Harbaugh would possess an exceptionally thorough understanding of the operational aspects at Michigan. Nonetheless, a compelling argument exists for the Wolverines to sever all connections with the Jim Harbaugh period entirely.
Jesse Minter, Los Angeles Chargers
Should Michigan opt not to entirely disassociate itself from the Harbaugh period, and if Minter were to find the prospect of returning to collegiate football appealing, the institution could certainly make a less effective choice than the defensive coordinator from the 2023 national championship squad. Minter accompanied Jim Harbaugh to the Chargers, where he now leads a defensive unit that concedes under 21 points per contest and has recorded 15 interceptions against rival quarterbacks, while permitting merely 12 passing touchdowns.
Indeed, Minter received a show-cause sanction as part of the NCAA’s disciplinary actions regarding recruitment infractions that took place during his tenure in Ann Arbor. Nevertheless, his one-year show-cause period concludes prior to the end of 2025. Michigan might bypass NCAA bureaucratic hurdles by postponing Minter’s hiring for a short duration, as he would likely wish to complete the Chargers’ current season regardless.
