As Michigan gears up for its bowl showdown with No. 13 Texas in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl, the Wolverines find themselves navigating uncharted waters - not just in game prep, but in leadership. The team is practicing without a clear answer as to who will be leading the program next month, and that uncertainty looms large over what should be a celebratory end to a strong season.
This comes in the wake of a turbulent week that saw former head coach Sherrone Moore fired following an improper relationship with a staff member, then arrested and arraigned on felony home invasion charges related to that same individual. It’s the kind of off-field distraction that could fracture a locker room. But if you ask the players, they’re doing everything they can to stay united.
“It’s been a difficult time, as everybody knows,” said tight end and team captain Marlin Klein, the first player to speak publicly since Moore’s dismissal. “The most important thing for us is staying together, keeping the locker room clean, and making sure everybody’s doing good mentally. And we’ve done a really good job with that.”
That sense of internal focus has become a rallying point for the Wolverines. While the coaching search unfolds behind closed doors - with administrators, boosters, and key stakeholders all weighing in - the players are keeping their eyes on the task at hand: beating Texas.
Still, it’s impossible to ignore the bigger picture. The next head coach at Michigan won’t just be another hire.
This decision will shape the trajectory of one of college football’s most storied programs for years to come. And while the players are trying not to get too caught up in the speculation, they know what they want in a leader.
“I’m just looking for a coach that’s ready to win a national championship,” said cornerback Zeke Berry. “I know this program is going to bring in somebody who can lead us and guide us to where we want to go.”
There’s no shortage of big names reportedly in the mix. Alabama’s Kalen DeBoer, who took Washington to the national title game in 2023 (losing to Michigan, no less), is among the most accomplished.
Arizona State’s Kenny Dillingham led the Sun Devils to a College Football Playoff appearance last season, while Missouri’s Eli Drinkwitz earned SEC Coach of the Year honors for an 11-win campaign in 2023. Louisville’s Jeff Brohm and Vanderbilt’s Clark Lea - the latter coming off a 10-2 season after winning Coach of the Year the previous two years - are also in the conversation.
But inside the locker room, there’s a different kind of favorite: interim head coach Biff Poggi.
Poggi, who will lead Michigan for the third time this season in the Citrus Bowl, is no stranger to Ann Arbor. This is his third stint with the Wolverines, having been part of the coaching staff in 2016, 2021, and 2022. Over the years, he’s earned a reputation as a culture-builder - someone who fosters unity, accountability, and a tough, physical mindset.
“Who I want to see is Coach Poggi,” Klein said. “He truly cares about the people in the building - not just the coaches or players, but everybody.
He cares about the janitor. His son played here.
He has a relationship with this place. It’s part of him.”
That connection resonates deeply with the players, especially during a time of upheaval. Poggi’s presence has brought stability, and his leadership style - rooted in authenticity and personal relationships - has helped keep the team grounded.
“He’s a Michigan man, and everybody loves him,” Klein added. “I do believe he’s the right person for this job. He’s the best fit for the younger guys and the guys still in this locker room.”
Poggi’s résumé may not have the same shine as some of the other candidates. His only FBS head coaching experience came at Charlotte, where he went 6-16.
But his impact at the high school level in Baltimore - where he built powerhouse programs at Gilman School and St. Frances Academy - is hard to ignore.
He mentored several future Wolverines, including Blake Corum, Jaishawn Barham, and Derrick Moore, and his reputation as a player-first coach continues to carry weight.
“Coach Poggi, he’s a legend,” Klein said. “He’s been a mentor of mine since my freshman year.
The vibe in the building has been awesome. We’re focused on Texas now, trying to move forward.
And with him in charge, the boys are doing good.”
Still, Poggi remains a long shot for the full-time gig. The program is likely to lean toward a candidate with more extensive college head coaching experience. The players know that, and they’re prepared to support whoever the administration ultimately brings in.
“It’s not my decision to make,” said linebacker Jimmy Rolder. “But I trust they’ll bring in a great guy, a great coach, and I think he’ll do a great job leading the program.”
For now, the Wolverines are doing what they’ve done all season - blocking out the noise, leaning on each other, and focusing on the next game. The coaching decision will come. But in the meantime, they’ve got a bowl to win - and a locker room that’s still very much intact.