Michigan football is suddenly in the market for a new head coach, and the timing couldn’t be more surprising. Athletic director Warde Manuel made the move to part ways with Sherrone Moore, citing what he called “credible evidence” of an inappropriate relationship with a staff member. Just like that, the Wolverines-fresh off another high-profile season-are back in the middle of a national coaching search.
As Michigan begins the hunt for its 22nd head football coach, three names have surfaced early in the process: Alabama’s Kalen DeBoer, Washington’s Jedd Fisch, and Arizona State’s Kenny Dillingham. All three coaches have addressed the speculation in recent days, and while their tones varied, each offered insight into where their heads are at during this pivotal moment in the college football carousel.
Kalen DeBoer: Locked in on Alabama
DeBoer wasted no time shutting down any rumors linking him to the Michigan job. In a statement released through Alabama’s official NIL collective, Yea Alabama, he made it clear that his focus isn’t drifting north.
“My family and I are very happy in Tuscaloosa,” DeBoer said. “We have an incredible opportunity in front of us, so my sole focus is on Alabama football and our preparations to play Oklahoma in the College Football Playoff.”
That’s about as firm a response as you’ll hear in coaching circles. DeBoer didn’t just sidestep the question-he closed the door completely.
No back channels, no exploratory conversations. Just a full-throated commitment to Alabama and what lies ahead.
And considering the Crimson Tide are preparing for yet another CFP appearance, it makes sense. DeBoer has a chance to cement his name among the elite in college football, and right now, all roads for him run through Tuscaloosa.
Jedd Fisch: Focused on the Present in Seattle
Over in Seattle, Jedd Fisch has his own momentum to manage. Washington just wrapped up a dominant 38-10 win over Boise State in the LA Bowl, and Fisch used that postgame platform to keep the spotlight on his team-not the Michigan opening.
“I’m fully focused on our team,” Fisch said. “I think our team worked really hard this whole week and we all gave everything we had, and we played at a very high level because of that. That’s all I would say on that.”
It wasn’t a denial, but it wasn’t an endorsement either. Fisch kept things tight, choosing to highlight his players and their performance rather than wade into speculation.
He did, however, speak with real enthusiasm about the future of the Huskies program.
“Our goal obviously is to bring back as many players as we possibly can,” he said. “I think our guys know that we’ve got a great season coming ahead of us.
We’ve got a great team. They’re led by an elite player.
When you have an elite quarterback, you’ve got a great opportunity to win a lot of games.”
That’s a coach who believes in what he’s building-and who knows the value of continuity, especially with a top-tier quarterback at the helm. Whether that belief keeps him in Seattle long-term remains to be seen, but for now, Fisch is clearly invested in the present.
Kenny Dillingham: Respect for the Brand, Rooted in Tempe
Then there’s Kenny Dillingham, who took a more open-ended approach when asked about Michigan’s interest. Speaking in Tempe as Arizona State preps for the Sun Bowl against Duke, Dillingham acknowledged the stature of the Michigan job without signaling any intention to pursue it.
“That’s cool, I guess,” he said with a grin. “That’s one of the best programs in the country.
That’s one of the best logos in the country. I think everybody can agree there.
In today’s era, I think it’s one of the best jobs in the country, and I think everybody can attest to that.”
Dillingham didn’t shy away from praising Michigan’s brand-he called it “iconic” and “an unbelievable brand”-but he was just as quick to reaffirm his ties to Arizona State, both professionally and personally.
“That doesn’t change how I feel about here,” he said. “That doesn’t change that my parents live three doors down.
That doesn’t change that my sister is my neighbor. That doesn’t change that my son’s best friend is my sister’s daughter.
None of that changes.”
It’s a classic case of a coach balancing respect for a national powerhouse with loyalty to his roots. Dillingham is an Arizona native, a Sun Devil through and through. And while he acknowledged the magnitude of the Michigan opportunity, he made it clear that his heart-and his home-are in Tempe.
As Michigan’s search heats up, it’s clear that the Wolverines are targeting proven program-builders with offensive minds and leadership chops. DeBoer is entrenched in a title chase.
Fisch is guiding Washington into a promising future. Dillingham is building something personal and powerful in the desert.
The Wolverines have a decision to make-and it’s a big one. But if these early responses are any indication, Michigan may need to work hard to pry one of these coaches away from what they’ve already built.