The Michigan Wolverines are in the middle of one of the most high-stakes coaching searches in recent college football memory-and the clock is ticking. The abrupt firing of head coach Sherrone Moore has left the program scrambling in December, a time when most top-tier hires are already locked in and the transfer portal is wide open. What once looked like a golden opportunity to land a marquee name has quickly become a race against time to find a steady hand before the January 2nd deadline.
The Big Names Fade Early
At the outset, Michigan fans were dreaming big. Two names in particular lit up the message boards and social media chatter: Alabama’s Kalen DeBoer and Arizona State’s Kenny Dillingham.
On paper, both seemed like ideal fits. In reality, both are now long shots.
Kalen DeBoer was the headline-grabber. A Midwest native with Big Ten roots and a reputation for building high-powered offenses, DeBoer had reportedly come close to landing the Michigan job before Moore’s promotion.
Since then, he’s done nothing but elevate his stock, guiding Alabama to a College Football Playoff berth in his first year. That kind of instant success, combined with the resources and prestige of the Crimson Tide, makes it tough to see him walking away-especially for a program currently navigating NCAA scrutiny and a late-cycle coaching search.
Michigan may have made a call, but all signs point to DeBoer staying put in Tuscaloosa.
Kenny Dillingham, meanwhile, looked like a rising star tailor-made for Michigan’s moment. Just 35 years old, he turned Arizona State from a three-win team into a conference champion and CFP participant in just two seasons.
His offensive creativity and recruiting chops made him an appealing option for a program looking to reset and reenergize. But momentum faded quickly.
Dillingham is reportedly in talks for a contract extension with his alma mater, and the emotional ties to Tempe are strong. While Michigan’s search firm has been in touch with his camp, Dillingham has made it clear he’s committed to what he’s building in the desert.
With those two names likely off the board, Michigan’s search has shifted from dream hires to realistic, stabilizing options.
The New Wave of Candidates
Now, the focus is on coaches who may not bring the same headline buzz but offer something just as important: familiarity, consistency, and a track record of success.
Jedd Fisch, currently at Washington, is a name that resonates in Ann Arbor. He served as Michigan’s passing game coordinator and quarterbacks coach under Jim Harbaugh, and since then, he’s quietly built a strong résumé.
Fisch turned Arizona from a bottom-feeder into a competitive program, then took over at Washington and kept the momentum going. He knows the Big Ten, he knows the Michigan culture, and he’s proven he can rebuild programs and win.
He may not be the flashiest name, but there’s substance behind his candidacy.
Jesse Minter is another familiar face. Michigan fans know him well as the architect of the defense that helped deliver the 2023 national title.
Now with the Los Angeles Chargers as their defensive coordinator, Minter’s stock is climbing fast. He hasn’t been a head coach, which is a legitimate concern, but his ties to the program and understanding of its defensive DNA make him a compelling option-especially if Michigan wants to maintain continuity and keep the current roster intact through a turbulent offseason.
Eli Drinkwitz, the head coach at Missouri, is a bit more of a curveball. He doesn’t have Michigan ties, but he’s built Missouri into a steady SEC contender and recently signed an extension.
The fact that Michigan’s search firm reached out shows they’re casting a wide net and prioritizing proven leadership. Drinkwitz has shown he can win in a tough conference, and his name in the mix suggests Michigan is open to bringing in a fresh perspective, even if it’s outside the traditional Michigan coaching tree.
Time Is the Enemy
For Athletic Director Warde Manuel, the pressure is real. The Wolverines need a new head coach in place before January 2nd-both to stabilize the roster and to keep the transfer portal from becoming a mass exodus. That’s not just about recruiting; it’s about keeping the identity of the program intact during a vulnerable moment.
The top-tier names may be slipping away, but Michigan still has options-coaches who understand the stakes, know how to win, and can bring both structure and vision to a proud program in flux. The next few weeks will define not just the 2025 season, but the next chapter of Michigan football.
The Wolverines don’t need a savior. They need a leader who can steady the ship and chart a course back to national relevance.
And they need to find him fast.