Biff Poggi Doesn’t Hold Back: Michigan’s Interim Coach Calls for a Hard Reset
Biff Poggi didn’t mince words on Monday. Standing at the podium as Michigan’s interim head coach, he delivered a blunt, unfiltered assessment of the Wolverines’ recent past - and it wasn’t pretty.
"It's been five years of a malfunctioning organization," Poggi said. “Let’s call it what it is: It’s happened every year.”
That’s not your typical coach-speak. But then again, Poggi isn’t your typical interim coach.
He’s been around the block in Ann Arbor - first as an analyst in 2016, then as associate head coach under Jim Harbaugh in 2021 and 2022, and again in 2025 under Sherrone Moore. He knows the program inside and out, and now he’s stepping into the spotlight with a clear message: Michigan needs to take a long, hard look in the mirror.
A Storied Program, a Stormy Stretch
Michigan football is one of the sport’s bluebloods - a Big Ten heavyweight with a national championship as recently as 2023. But the past few years have been anything but smooth. Scandal after scandal has rocked the program, raising serious questions about leadership, culture, and accountability.
There was the sign-stealing saga involving former staffer Connor Stalions, which led to head coach Jim Harbaugh being suspended for three regular-season games. Stalions ultimately resigned in November 2023.
Then came the federal indictment of former offensive coordinator Matt Weiss in March, accused of hacking into the accounts of college athletes. Weiss had already been fired in January of that year.
And most recently, Moore - who took over after Harbaugh - was fired for cause on December 10 following allegations of an inappropriate relationship with a staff member. He was later charged with three crimes related to allegedly approaching that staff member at her home.
It’s been a whirlwind of off-field drama, and Poggi didn’t shy away from it. He called for a “massive self-examination of what’s happened in this building.” That’s the kind of language that signals not just a coaching change, but a cultural overhaul.
Eyes on the Citrus Bowl… and the Future
For now, Poggi has a game to coach. No.
18 Michigan (9-3) is set to face No. 13 Texas (also 9-3) in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl on New Year’s Eve in Orlando.
It’s a high-profile matchup that gives Poggi a chance to show what he can do on a big stage - and perhaps make his case for the full-time job.
But the clock is ticking. The transfer portal opens on January 2 and runs through January 16, and Michigan’s next head coach will need to move quickly to stabilize the roster. That includes keeping prized freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood in the fold - no small task, especially with offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey heading to Missouri after agreeing to a three-year deal.
That departure adds another layer of urgency. Losing a coordinator is one thing.
Losing your offensive identity - and the players who bought into it - is another. Whoever takes the reins will need to do more than just recruit; they’ll need to rebuild trust.
Who’s in the Mix?
Poggi, 65, has made it clear he wants the job. “I want to fix this program,” he said Monday.
And given his long-standing ties to Michigan, there’s a real argument that he might be the right guy to do it. He knows the terrain, he understands the culture, and he’s not afraid to call things as he sees them.
Still, Michigan is casting a wide net. Some big names have already been taken off the board - Alabama’s Kalen DeBoer is busy preparing for the College Football Playoff, and Arizona State’s Kenny Dillingham just inked a contract extension.
Other potential candidates include Louisville’s Jeff Brohm, Missouri’s Eli Drinkwitz, and Washington’s Jedd Fisch. Even Kyle Whittingham, who’s stepping down after a long run at Utah, has reportedly shown interest. But it’s unclear whether Michigan feels the same way.
The Case for Poggi
On paper, some of those coaches have more decorated résumés. But Poggi brings something unique to the table: continuity and credibility. In a moment when Michigan needs stability, he could be the bridge between the past and the future.
More importantly, he may be the one best positioned to keep the current roster intact and reassure the recruits already committed to the 2026 class. That kind of player retention is going to be just as important as any hire from outside the building.
Poggi’s message on Monday wasn’t polished or diplomatic - it was raw, real, and rooted in experience. And maybe that’s exactly what Michigan needs right now. A coach who won’t sugarcoat the problems, and who’s ready to roll up his sleeves and fix them.
The Wolverines have a proud tradition and a passionate fan base. But as Poggi made clear, tradition alone doesn’t win games.
Culture does. And in Ann Arbor, that culture is due for a reset.