Biff Poggi Makes His Case: Why Michigan’s Interim Head Coach Believes He’s the Right Man for the Job
ANN ARBOR, Mich. - If you’re looking for a coach who understands the weight of the block M, who’s lived it, breathed it, and now wants to rebuild it - Biff Poggi is making it clear: he’s ready.
The Michigan Wolverines’ interim head coach confirmed he’s firmly in the mix for the full-time job. He’s had multiple interviews and conversations, but like most things in coaching searches, the future is still up in the air.
“I’m being considered. I’ve had multiple interviews, multiple conversations,” Poggi said.
“Nobody knows what’s going to happen. I don’t know what’s going to happen.
I just appreciate being considered, and we’ll see what happens.”
But make no mistake - Poggi isn’t just along for the ride. He’s putting his vision on the table, and it’s one rooted in leadership, accountability, and a no-nonsense approach to fixing what he views as a broken system.
A CEO in a Headset
Poggi isn’t your traditional football lifer. Before he was roaming sidelines, he was navigating hedge funds - and he sees more overlap than you might think. In his words, “every day is game day” in business, and that mindset has shaped how he sees the modern college football program.
The sport, he says, has undergone a “180-degree change” in just the past two years. Between NIL, the transfer portal, and the ever-growing financial stakes, Poggi believes the head coach role now demands more than Xs and Os - it requires CEO-level leadership.
“You need somebody that knows how to run [a program], somebody that knows how to keep them straight, and somebody that does not put the brand of the business in jeopardy,” Poggi said. “To me, it’s got nothing to do with it. You can hire coaches, put it that way.”
It’s a bold statement, but it cuts to the core of Poggi’s pitch: he’s not just here to coach football - he’s here to lead an organization.
A Full Program Audit
If Poggi gets the nod, expect sweeping changes. He made it clear that nothing - and no one - would be above evaluation.
“We’re going to re-evaluate everything: staff, strength and conditioning, nutrition, medical support - all of it,” Poggi said. He did throw a playful exception for longtime Michigan communications director David Ablauf, joking that he’s the only one safe.
But behind the humor is a serious message. Poggi described the program as a “malfunctioning organization” over the last five years - a program that’s had issues, year after year. And he says those days are over.
“If I am named the coach, which again I don’t know if I am, there will be a massive self-examination of what happens in this building, and you can expect a lot of changes,” Poggi said.
He also pointed out that athletic director Warde Manuel has drawn a firm line: no more problems. The next head coach won’t just need a game plan - they’ll need a vision for stability and accountability.
Bringing Back the Joy
One of the more telling insights from Poggi wasn’t about schemes or facilities - it was about fun. Or more specifically, the lack of it.
He said the team had lost the joy of playing football. Practices had become long, inefficient, and draining.
Meetings dragged. The spark was missing.
But recently, things have started to shift. With Poggi at the helm, practices have become more efficient - and more enjoyable.
“We’re having a blast,” he said.
That’s not just fluff. Culture matters, especially in a locker room full of young athletes navigating a high-pressure environment. Poggi isn’t talking about blowing the place up - he’s talking about retooling it with purpose and positivity.
Why Poggi?
When asked why he should be the next head coach of Michigan football, Poggi didn’t mince words.
“Because I know what the hell I’m doing,” he said.
It’s a blunt answer, but it speaks to his confidence - and his connection to the program. Poggi has spent a decade around Michigan.
His son, Henry, played for the Wolverines. Two of his daughters are Michigan grads or soon will be.
One’s a doctor. One’s on the way.
“This place has been great to them,” Poggi said. “It’s magical.”
And now, he says, it’s his turn to give back - and fix what needs fixing.
“It’s one of the things I want to fix before I go smoke myself to death with cigars,” he said, half-joking, half-serious.
The Locker Room’s Backing
Inside the building, Poggi has earned more than just respect - he’s earned belief.
Tight end Marlin Klein spoke about the challenge of staying focused amid transfer rumors and coaching uncertainty, but said Poggi’s leadership has helped keep the team grounded.
“Coach Poggi is a legend, everybody loves him,” Klein said. “The vibe in the building has been awesome.”
Klein didn’t hesitate when asked if Poggi is the right fit for the job.
“He truly cares about the people within the building,” Klein said. “He’s a Michigan man and loves it here. I do believe he’s the best fit for the younger guys and the locker room.”
Klein added that Poggi checks in on players, makes practices enjoyable, and has helped restore a sense of fun and focus to the team.
“It’s been so fun these past four days just getting back on the field,” he said. “Just looking forward to the 31st.”
What’s Next?
As for the timeline, Poggi said Manuel is aiming to make a decision by the bowl game or shortly after the holidays. Until then, it’s business as usual - with a little more energy, a little more joy, and a coach who’s not afraid to say what he thinks or take on a challenge.
Whether or not he gets the job, Biff Poggi has made one thing clear: he’s not just applying for a title. He’s offering a blueprint. One built on leadership, accountability, and a whole lot of love for the block M.