As Michigan’s head coaching vacancy remains unfilled following the dismissal of Sherrone Moore, the Wolverines are ramping up their search - and they’re not limiting themselves to the usual suspects. With Alabama’s Kalen DeBoer seemingly out of the mix, Michigan has turned its attention to a handful of rising and established names, including Missouri’s Eli Drinkwitz and Arizona State’s Kenny Dillingham.
According to multiple reports, Michigan’s search firm has reached out to representatives for both Drinkwitz and Dillingham in recent days. These are two coaches who’ve been on the radar for several programs this cycle, and it’s clear Michigan is casting a wide net as it looks to stabilize the program heading into a crucial offseason.
Eli Drinkwitz: A Proven Winner with a Complicated Past with Michigan
Let’s start with Drinkwitz, who’s fresh off back-to-back strong seasons at Missouri and brings a compelling resume to the table. He agreed to a contract extension with the Tigers in November, bumping his average annual salary north of $10.7 million. That’s a big number, but the buyout - reportedly around $5 million - isn’t a deal-breaker for a program like Michigan, which has the resources to make a serious play if the interest is mutual.
Now, there’s a bit of history here. Drinkwitz took a public jab at Michigan during the Connor Stalions sign-stealing saga back in December 2023.
So, if this courtship moves forward, there may need to be some fence-mending. But in the world of college football, where winning often trumps everything else, that’s not exactly a deal-killer.
Drinkwitz’s name has been linked to other high-profile jobs before - Florida, Auburn, and more recently Penn State, before they hired Matt Campbell. And while he signed that extension, local sentiment in Columbia was always that he’d stay. Still, as one insider put it, the optics of leaving now would be worse than a few weeks ago, but not impossible.
Missouri started the season hot at 5-0 before cooling off, finishing 8-4 after dropping four of their final seven games. Drinkwitz hasn’t publicly addressed the Michigan rumors, but he did push back on job speculation late in the season, calling it a distraction and reiterating his commitment to Mizzou.
“You know, all of this stuff is just a distraction,” Drinkwitz said. “We absolutely love Mizzou. We love what we’re building.”
And there’s plenty to like about what he’s built. Missouri’s 11-win season in 2023 included a Cotton Bowl win over Ohio State, and last year’s 10-3 campaign gave the Tigers their first back-to-back top-20 finishes since the Gary Pinkel era.
Drinkwitz is 46-28 overall in six seasons, with a 26-24 mark in SEC play. He was named SEC Coach of the Year in 2023 and trails only Kirby Smart, Lane Kiffin, and Steve Sarkisian in total wins in the conference over the past three years.
He’s done all of this without having the most loaded roster in the SEC, which says a lot about his ability to recruit, develop talent, and work the transfer portal - all skills that would translate well in Ann Arbor, especially with Michigan’s deeper NIL infrastructure and recent top-10 recruiting class, headlined by five-star quarterback Bryce Underwood.
Kenny Dillingham: The Young Gun on the Rise
Then there’s Dillingham, the 35-year-old Arizona State head coach who’s already made waves in the coaching world. While he hasn’t signed an extension yet, he confirmed over the weekend that discussions with Arizona State and his agent have been ongoing since the regular season ended.
Dillingham was quick to clarify that he hasn’t spoken with Michigan - or any other program - about a coaching vacancy and remains focused on preparing the Sun Devils for their bowl matchup against ACC champion Duke on Dec. 31.
Still, when asked about the Michigan buzz, he didn’t shy away from acknowledging the prestige of the opportunity.
“That doesn’t change how I feel about here,” Dillingham said. “But it is one of the best jobs in America. It’s an unbelievable brand, iconic brand and it’s a great opportunity for somebody.”
Dillingham’s ties to Arizona run deep - his family lives close by, and he’s made it clear that the personal connections matter to him. But he’s also a rising star in the coaching ranks.
After leading the Sun Devils to a Big 12 title and their first College Football Playoff appearance, he was named the Big 12’s Coach of the Year last season. His overall record at Arizona State sits at 22-16 through three seasons.
Like Drinkwitz, Dillingham has been vocal about the need for stronger NIL support at his current school. That’s an area where Michigan could offer a significant upgrade, especially as the Wolverines look to maintain their recruiting momentum and national relevance.
What Michigan’s Search Tells Us
The fact that Michigan is reaching out to both established names like Drinkwitz and rising stars like Dillingham tells us a few things. First, they’re not rushing this process.
They’re doing their homework, casting a wide net, and looking for the right fit - not just someone to fill the seat. Second, they’re aware of the changing landscape in college football, where NIL, the transfer portal, and recruiting acumen are just as important as Xs and Os.
With DeBoer likely off the board and other top-tier candidates already snapped up, Michigan’s next move will be telling. Whether they go with a proven winner like Drinkwitz or take a swing on a younger, high-upside coach like Dillingham, the hire will shape the trajectory of the program for years to come.
And with the College Football Playoff expanding, the Big Ten evolving, and the stakes higher than ever, Michigan knows it can’t afford to miss.