Michigan Focusing on Sherrone Moore as Potential Replacement for Jim Harbaugh as Head Coach
In a surprising turn of events, the University of Michigan has set its sights on offensive coordinator/offensive line coach Sherrone Moore as the potential replacement for Jim Harbaugh as head coach. Sources have revealed that Moore is expected to be offered the job, pending any unforeseen circumstances. This news comes after Harbaugh was named head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers, signing a five-year deal.
Harbaugh, who had been with Michigan for nine seasons, led the Wolverines to their first national championship since 1997 when they shared the title with Nebraska. His departure has left a void in the program, but Michigan is determined to move quickly in finding a suitable replacement.
“We are working quickly to hire the next head coach for the program and will do everything possible to keep this current staff and team together,” stated Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel.
Sherrone Moore, 37, has already had a taste of leading the team when he filled in as Harbaugh’s replacement for four games this season during Harbaugh’s suspension. Notably, Moore guided the Wolverines to a 24-15 road victory over No. 10 Penn State and a thrilling 30-24 win against archrival Ohio State, securing Michigan’s third consecutive Big Ten championship appearance.
Despite Harbaugh’s return for the conference championship game and the College Football Playoff, Moore’s interim stint showcased his ability to rally the team and achieve success on the field. His performance has undoubtedly caught the attention of the university administration.
University of Michigan president Santa Ono and athletic director Warde Manuel both acknowledged that discussions had taken place regarding a new contract that would have made Harbaugh the highest-paid coach in college football. Manuel expressed his gratitude towards Harbaugh, stating, “Jim did exactly what he sought to do at Michigan, build our program to consistently win Big Ten Championships and compete for national championships.”
Sherrone Moore’s emotional postgame interview following the win over Penn State further solidified his connection to the program. He expressed his gratitude towards Harbaugh and the entire Michigan community, saying, “Love the s— out of you, man. This is for you, for this university, the president, our AD. We got the best players, best university, best alumni in the country. Love you guys.”
Moore has been an integral part of the Michigan coaching staff for the past six seasons. He initially served as the tight ends coach from 2018 to 2020 before transitioning to offensive line coach in 2021-22. During his tenure, the Michigan offensive line received the prestigious Joe Moore Award for being college football’s best offensive line in both seasons. In 2023, Moore took on additional responsibilities as the offensive coordinator, leading the Wolverines to an unbeaten season and a national ranking of 14th in scoring offense, averaging 35.9 points per game.
The support for Moore from Michigan’s players is evident, with All-American offensive lineman Zak Zinter posting on social media, “No interviews needed. It’s Papa Moore’s time.” This endorsement further solidifies Moore’s standing within the team and highlights the trust and respect he has earned from the players.
With Harbaugh’s departure and other notable coaching changes in college football, including Nick Saban’s retirement from Alabama and Kalen DeBoer leaving Washington for Alabama, there will be a significant reshuffling of coaching staffs next season. The departure of Harbaugh also means that there are only three active FBS head coaches with a national title: Georgia’s Kirby Smart, Clemson’s Dabo Swinney, and North Carolina’s Mack Brown.
As Michigan focuses its attention on Sherrone Moore as the potential replacement for Jim Harbaugh, the university is hopeful that Moore’s leadership and coaching abilities will continue to propel the Wolverines to success on the field. Only time will tell if Moore can fill the shoes of his predecessor and lead Michigan to further glory in the years to come.