Sherron Moore's replacements: Ranking Michigan's top candidates from Kalen DeBoer to Brian Kelly originally appeared on Sports news. Add “Sports News” as Preferred source by clicking here.
Michigan fired coach Sherron Moore on Wednesday after just two seasons with the program.
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ESPN's Adam Schefter and Dan Wetzel first reported news. Michigan launched an investigation that found “credible evidence” that Moore had engaged in an inappropriate relationship with an employee, according to the report.
Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel released a statement saying, “This behavior constitutes a clear violation of university policy, and UM has a zero-tolerance approach to such behavior.”
Moore, who was offensive coordinator under Jim Harbaugh before taking the full-time job, had a 16-8 record in two seasons. The Wolverines were 8-5 in 2023, but late-season wins over Ohio State and Alabama weakened Moore a bit. Michigan finished the season 9-3.
Moore was suspended twice during practice at Michigan. He served a one-game suspension in 2023 due to recruiting violations during COVID-19. He served a two-game suspension this season for deleting messages from former employee Connor Stallions. Now Michigan will be looking for a new coach.
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This is still a blue-blood job and will attract interest from major candidates. Here's a look at the early favorites.
MORE:Latest news about Sherron Moore's dismissal
Michigan Coaching Candidates
Who could take Sherron Moore's place at Michigan? Let's take a look at some of the top candidates:
Kalen DeBoer, Alabama coach
DeBoer, 51, led the Crimson Tide to the College Football Playoff and has a 19-7 record after two seasons. The truth is Michigan should have hired the player after Harbaugh left following DeBoer's 34-13 win over Washington in the 2024 CFP Championship Game. DeBoer might be a better fit for Michigan, and he could develop quarterback Bryce Underwood the same way he did with Michael Penix Jr., who was a Heisman Trophy finalist this season. It would be a major shakeup, and DeBoer denied interest in the Penn State position held by Matt Campbell. Will he reconsider his position if Michigan comes calling after the College Football Playoff?
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Brian Kelly, former LSU coach
Kelly, 64, may not be the ideal long-term candidate, but there is no doubt that he has the ability to coach at a major program. He won 10 or more games in seven straight seasons between Notre Dame and LSU from 2017-23. The unceremonious departure from LSU after a 5-3 start this season cannot be ignored, but Kelly would be a better fit at Michigan. He has served as head coach at Grand Valley State and Central Michigan, and the thought of the former Notre Dame coach taking the Michigan job is exciting to say the least. The question is whether Kelly really wants to coach again, and whether Michigan wants to pay such a high price for a coach also known for his scandals.
Lincoln Riley, USC coach
Riley, 42, looks like a better prospect given the Trojans were 9-3 this season and had a top recruiting class. But if Michigan wants to turn around its offense – as it should – and give Underwood the best quarterback development possible in the next two years, then Riley, who produced three Heisman Trophy-winning QBs between Oklahoma and USC, is the guy he needs. Riley went 35-17 for the Trojans the past four years and has pitched head-to-head games between USC and Michigan the past two seasons. He suddenly left Oklahoma for the University of Southern California. Is Riley ready to make a Lane Kiffin-like jump between Big Ten programs?
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Jedd Fisch, Washington coach
Fisch, 49, was the quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator at Michigan in 2015-16 under Harbaugh and was a possible name in Florida's coaching search. He's 30-32 over the past four seasons in Arizona and Washington, a nearly .500 record that won't make him a prospect. Fisch works well with quarterbacks, and the Huskies had a solid recruiting class this season. He's more of a second-tier option in this search.
Jesse Minter, Chargers defensive coordinator
Minter, 42, will attract some interest. He was the defensive coordinator on Michigan's national championship team and followed Harbaugh to the Chargers. He's a great candidate, but there's a catch. Minter faces a one-year exhibition penalty, and the Wolverines may be hoping to put all of the scandals of the Harbaugh era behind them. If the Wolverines want to move away from this, hiring Minter doesn't make sense.
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Kenny Dillingham, Arizona State coach
Dillingham, 35, was Oregon's offensive coordinator in 2022 under Lanning and posted a 22-16 record at Arizona State. In his last two seasons with the Sun Devils, Dillingham is 5-1 against top-25 teams, with its only loss being a 39-31 double-overtime loss to No. 4 Texas in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals. It's a big step up in Michigan's popularity, but he could be perfect for the job.
Dan Mullen, UNLV coach
Mullen, 53, said he has “no interest” in coaching in the SEC. Will his opinion change in the Big Ten? He won 10 games in his first season at UNLV. He went 34-15 in four seasons at Florida, and similar results are expected from the job at Michigan. Mullen works well in the portal and comes from the Urban Meyer coaching tree. Mullen has one more Power 4 job left, and it could pop up if big names turn down the job. He's the best candidate outside of the Power 4.
