Michigan’s coaching search has taken a hard left turn - and not the kind you diagram on a whiteboard. Just a week after parting ways with Sherrone Moore, the Wolverines’ top targets are off the board, and the program suddenly finds itself scrambling for answers at a pivotal moment.
Let’s set the scene: Michigan had its eyes on two big names - Alabama’s Kalen DeBoer and Arizona State’s Kenny Dillingham. But after Alabama punched its ticket to the Rose Bowl with a win over Oklahoma, DeBoer’s availability took a backseat.
Then, just as the Wolverines were preparing to pivot to Dillingham, he re-upped with Arizona State on Saturday morning. That’s two swings, two misses.
Now, Michigan is back at square one - but this isn’t the time to panic. The Wolverines still have viable options on the board, coaches who bring experience, offensive acumen, and a track record of winning. Let’s break down three names who could steady the ship in Ann Arbor and keep the program on its national championship trajectory.
Jedd Fisch, Washington
Jedd Fisch’s name has been floating around the Michigan orbit all week, and while there were reports he was no longer in the mix, circumstances have changed. With the Wolverines’ top targets now out of reach, Fisch could be right back in play - and frankly, he should be.
Fisch is no stranger to Ann Arbor. He served as Michigan’s passing game coordinator and quarterbacks coach under Jim Harbaugh in 2015 and 2016, so he knows the terrain.
But more importantly, he’s built a strong résumé since. Fisch has turned around programs with his offensive mind and quarterback development skills.
He’s won nine games at two different Power Four schools - not an easy feat in today’s college football landscape.
He’s not the flashiest name out there, but Fisch checks a lot of boxes. He’s a proven program builder, a sharp offensive strategist, and someone who could step into this job without needing a long runway. If Michigan wants continuity on offense and a coach who can maximize quarterback talent - especially with five-star Bryce Underwood in the picture - Fisch is a name worth circling back to.
Jeff Brohm, Louisville
Jeff Brohm might not have the same national buzz as some younger names, but make no mistake: the man wins. And he does it in tough spots.
Brohm’s résumé is loaded with under-the-radar success. He won a conference title at Western Kentucky, then took Purdue - yes, Purdue - to the Big Ten title game.
Now at Louisville, he’s added an ACC Championship Game appearance to his ledger. That’s not just impressive, it’s rare.
Not many coaches have guided multiple programs to conference championship games in two different Power Four leagues.
Look at the numbers: five seasons with at least eight wins, four bowl appearances with Purdue, and seven wins over ranked opponents in the last five years - including four against top-11 teams. He’s also developed quarterbacks at a high level.
From 2021 to 2024, Brohm had two QBs drafted and four straight seasons with a 3,000-yard, 20-touchdown passer. That kind of consistency under center is exactly what Michigan needs to keep its offense humming.
There’s no question Brohm would be a tougher pull from Louisville, his alma mater, but if Michigan is serious about maintaining its national title window, he’s worth the call. Like Fisch, Brohm might also be one of the few coaches who could keep Bryce Underwood in the fold - and that alone makes him a top-tier candidate.
Kyle Whittingham, Utah
Here’s the wildcard: Kyle Whittingham. The longtime Utah head coach is set to step down after the Las Vegas Bowl, but he’s left the door cracked open for one more challenge. Earlier this week, he even joked about being in the “transfer portal.”
Whittingham is one of the most respected defensive minds in the college game, and his résumé is as steady as they come. He’s won three conference titles, including two in the Pac-12, and led Utah to a perfect season back in 2008 - capped by a Sugar Bowl win over Nick Saban’s Alabama. That’s not just history; that’s legacy.
Over nearly two decades, Whittingham has guided 17 teams to bowl games and finished in the AP Top 25 eight times. He’s taken the Utes to the Rose Bowl twice and built competitive, physical teams that punch above their weight.
The knock? He’s 66 years old.
But if Michigan is looking for a five-year run to capitalize on a loaded roster, Whittingham might be the right kind of short-term hire.
With more NIL resources and a deeper talent pool in Ann Arbor, Whittingham could elevate his already successful formula. And if he were to retain key assistants like Chip Lindsey and Biff Poggi, there’s a realistic path to keeping Underwood committed - which would keep Michigan’s 2026 and 2027 outlook as strong as ever.
Where Michigan Goes from Here
This is a critical moment for Michigan football. The program is still stacked with talent, and the 2026-27 window is wide open for a national title run.
But that window won’t stay open forever. The next head coach needs to be someone who can stabilize the program quickly, connect with recruits, and keep the offensive momentum rolling.
Fisch, Brohm, and Whittingham each bring something different to the table - whether it’s offensive ingenuity, big-game experience, or defensive toughness. None of them are splash hires in the traditional sense, but each has the tools to keep Michigan in the national conversation.
The Wolverines may have missed on their first two targets, but this coaching search is far from over. And if they make the right call from here, it doesn’t have to be a setback - it can be a new beginning.