The Michigan Wolverines are still deep in the hunt for their next head coach following the dismissal of Sherrone Moore earlier this month. Moore was let go amid allegations of an inappropriate relationship with a staff member, and since then, Michigan’s coaching search has been marked by turbulence, near-misses, and a growing sense of urgency in Ann Arbor.
One of Michigan’s top targets, Arizona State head coach Kenny Dillingham, is officially off the board. Dillingham, who had been linked to the Wolverines job, opted instead to stay put, signing a five-year contract extension with the Sun Devils. That move dealt a significant blow to Michigan’s search, narrowing the field at a time when the program is in desperate need of stability and direction.
With the Wolverines appearing to run out of top-tier options, ESPN analyst Paul Finebaum didn’t hold back when discussing the situation on The Matt Barrie Show podcast. His take? Michigan’s current predicament is a direct result of the environment left behind by former head coach Jim Harbaugh.
“Why would anyone want that job?” Finebaum asked bluntly.
“There’s simply no leadership there, there’s no alignment, and the stench of the Harbaugh regime permeates the air in Ann Arbor. And it’s made it more difficult.”
That’s a strong statement, but it speaks to the larger narrative surrounding Michigan football right now - a program that, despite recent on-field success, is dealing with the fallout of a chaotic and controversial end to the Harbaugh era.
Harbaugh, of course, left Michigan on a high note, guiding the Wolverines to a national championship in 2023. But the exit wasn’t clean.
His tenure ended amid multiple off-field controversies, including an alleged sign-stealing scandal, recruiting violations during the COVID-19 dead period, and looming NCAA penalties. Those issues didn’t just cast a shadow over his departure - they’ve created real challenges for the program as it tries to move forward.
Meanwhile, Harbaugh’s new team is thriving. After taking over the Los Angeles Chargers in January 2024, he’s already led them to back-to-back postseason appearances. The Chargers punched their ticket to the playoffs again this week, clinching a spot following a convincing 34-17 win over the Dallas Cowboys, coupled with the Indianapolis Colts’ loss to the San Francisco 49ers.
But Harbaugh isn’t satisfied with just making the playoffs. The Chargers haven’t won a division title since 2009, and that’s the next goal.
They’ll get their shot on Saturday when they face the Houston Texans - the same team that bounced them from the postseason last year. Harbaugh didn’t mince words when previewing the matchup, calling it the “most important game of the year.”
So while Harbaugh is chasing hardware in the AFC West, the Wolverines are left trying to pick up the pieces. The coaching search continues, but each passing day without a clear direction only adds to the pressure. Michigan is still one of the biggest brands in college football, but right now, the program is at a crossroads - and the next hire could define its trajectory for years to come.