Michigan’s coaching search is heating up, and two intriguing names have surfaced in the early stages of the process: Arizona State’s Kenny Dillingham and Missouri’s Eli Drinkwitz.
According to a report, Michigan’s search firm has reached out to representatives for both coaches as the Wolverines look to replace Sherrone Moore. While the nature of those conversations hasn’t been made public - and might still be in the exploratory phase - the interest signals the program is casting a wide net and aiming high.
Let’s start with Drinkwitz. At 42, he’s coming off an 8-4 season that helped earn him a hefty contract extension at Missouri, locking him in through 2031 at $10.75 million per year. That kind of financial commitment from Mizzou shows just how much the program values him - and also how serious any suitor, including Michigan, would have to be to pry him away.
Drinkwitz has built a reputation as a sharp offensive mind with a knack for elevating his program. Missouri’s recent success in the SEC, one of the toughest conferences in college football, speaks to his ability to compete at a high level. He’s also shown he can recruit and develop talent - two traits Michigan will prioritize as it looks to maintain its national relevance.
Then there’s Dillingham, the 35-year-old rising star at Arizona State. He’s already made a name for himself by leading the Sun Devils to a Big 12 Championship and a College Football Playoff appearance.
That’s no small feat, especially given the competitive landscape of the Big 12. Dillingham is reportedly working on a contract extension with ASU, which suggests the program is eager to keep him long-term - but it also means Michigan would need to act decisively if it wants to make a serious play.
Dillingham’s youth and offensive creativity make him an especially intriguing candidate. He’s part of a new wave of head coaches who bring energy, innovation, and a modern approach to building a program. For a school like Michigan, which balances tradition with the need to evolve in a rapidly shifting college football landscape, Dillingham could represent a bold move toward the future.
At this point, it’s unclear how far along these discussions are or whether either coach is a frontrunner. But it’s safe to say these won’t be the last names linked to the Wolverines’ vacancy. Michigan’s brass is clearly doing its homework, and with the stakes as high as ever in the post-Moore era, every conversation matters.
As the search unfolds, expect more names to emerge - some familiar, others surprising. But if these early targets are any indication, Michigan is aiming to land a leader capable of keeping the Wolverines in the national spotlight.