Michigan’s Coaching Search Enters Critical Phase as Transfer Portal Looms
The Michigan Wolverines are still without a head coach, two weeks removed from firing Sherrone Moore for cause. And while there’s an argument to be made for patience in a decision this important, the clock is ticking fast in Ann Arbor - and the stakes couldn’t be higher.
The next 15-day NCAA transfer portal window opens on January 2, and that’s where the urgency kicks in. Moore was dismissed after the previous portal window closed, meaning Michigan hasn’t yet had to navigate player movement without a head coach in place.
But that changes in just a few days. If the Wolverines head into that window without a clear direction, they risk a potential talent drain that could reshape the program’s trajectory in 2025 and beyond.
Michigan’s Coaching Targets: Swings and Misses So Far
Michigan has already taken a few swings. They reportedly made a run at Arizona State head coach Kenny Dillingham, but that pursuit ended up helping Dillingham secure a new deal to stay in Tempe. That’s a classic case of a program leveraging outside interest to lock up its guy - a move Penn State fans will find familiar.
There was also reported interest in Alabama’s Kalen DeBoer. But DeBoer, who just wrapped up his first year in Tuscaloosa, has publicly expressed his enthusiasm for coaching the Crimson Tide.
Still, that hasn’t stopped Michigan from keeping the door open. According to ESPN’s Pete Thamel, DeBoer remains a name to watch - even if the odds are long.
“Every day that goes by, the chance increases that Michigan could take another whack at Kalen DeBoer,” Thamel said on ESPN this week. “That comes with exponential risk.”
The risk? Timing.
Alabama is set to face Indiana in the Rose Bowl on January 1. The earliest Michigan could realistically have a conversation with DeBoer would be January 2 - the same day the portal opens.
And there’s no guarantee DeBoer would be receptive to that conversation, especially if Alabama wins and extends its postseason run.
The DeBoer Dilemma: Waiting Game Could Cost Michigan
If Michigan decides to wait for DeBoer, they’ll be walking a tightrope. On one side, there’s the potential reward of landing a coach they clearly covet. On the other, there’s the very real danger of losing key players to the portal while holding out for a coach who might not even be interested.
Thamel didn’t sugarcoat it: “To wait for DeBoer would be like a high-wire act we’ve never seen.”
And there’s more than just roster stability on the line. Athletic Director Warde Manuel is under intense scrutiny himself, with an external investigation into the athletic department unfolding in parallel with the coaching search. Every decision - or delay - carries added weight.
Other Names in the Mix
Michigan has reportedly looked at other potential candidates, including Missouri’s Eli Drinkwitz, Washington’s Jedd Fisch, and former Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham. All are intriguing in their own right, but none carry the same buzz - or risk - as DeBoer.
That’s what makes this such a delicate situation. The Wolverines have the brand power to weather short-term uncertainty, and they could still dip into the portal themselves once a coach is in place. But if that coach doesn’t arrive soon, the damage could be significant.
Bottom Line: High Stakes, Tight Timeline
There’s no easy answer here. Michigan is caught between the desire to land a top-tier coach and the reality of a fast-approaching transfer window that could reshape their roster overnight.
If they believe DeBoer is their guy, the gamble might be worth it. But if they wait - and miss - it could go down as one of the most costly offseasons in recent program history.
The clock is ticking. And in Ann Arbor, every day without a head coach feels heavier than the last.