The abrupt and stunning dismissal of Sherrone Moore has thrown Michigan football into uncharted territory just as the calendar winds down. What was supposed to be a period of stability following a promising rise under Moore has quickly turned into a high-stakes coaching search with national implications.
Now, the Wolverines find themselves racing the clock to secure a new leader - someone capable of steering one of college football’s most tradition-rich programs through a turbulent moment and back into national contention. The timing couldn’t be more precarious. With bowl season in full swing and the transfer portal wide open, every day without a head coach puts Michigan at risk of falling behind.
Some of the early names on the radar are either locked in or unavailable. Arizona State’s Kenny Dillingham just inked a new deal, solidifying his commitment to the Sun Devils. Kalen DeBoer is still in the thick of Alabama’s playoff run, and Missouri’s Eli Drinkwitz just poached Michigan’s offensive coordinator - a move that complicates any potential pursuit there.
So, Michigan may be expanding its search beyond the college ranks - and into the NFL.
According to reports, two current NFL offensive coordinators have emerged as potential candidates: Tommy Rees of the Cleveland Browns and Adam Stenavich of the Green Bay Packers. Neither is viewed as a frontrunner at this stage, but both bring intriguing profiles that could appeal to Michigan’s leadership if other options fall through.
Rees, in particular, stands out. A former Notre Dame quarterback, he’s no stranger to the big stage - and no stranger to Big Ten rivalries, either.
That history could make him a polarizing figure in Ann Arbor, but it also speaks to his experience in high-pressure environments. After working as Notre Dame’s quarterbacks coach from 2017 to 2019, Rees took over as offensive coordinator in South Bend from 2020 through 2022.
He then made the leap to Alabama, calling plays during Nick Saban’s final season in 2023 - a year that demanded both poise and adaptability. In 2024, Rees joined the Browns as pass-game coordinator before being elevated to offensive coordinator this season.
Stenavich, meanwhile, has deep Michigan ties of his own. A former Wolverine offensive lineman, he’s risen through the NFL coaching ranks with the Packers, earning a reputation for his work in the trenches and his role in Green Bay’s offensive development. While he may not have the same play-calling pedigree as Rees, his connection to the program and experience at the NFL level could make him a compelling candidate.
Still, with the coaching carousel spinning and top candidates being scooped up quickly, Michigan’s decision-makers are facing a critical moment. The next hire won’t just be about Xs and Os - it’ll be about vision, leadership, and the ability to restore confidence in a locker room that’s been rocked by sudden change.
The Wolverines are a proud program with championship expectations. Whoever steps into the head coach’s office next will inherit both the weight of history and the urgency of now.