Could Brian Daboll Be the Right Fit for Michigan Football After Sherrone Moore’s Firing?
Michigan football is once again at a crossroads. Just one year after Jim Harbaugh’s departure, the Wolverines are on the hunt for another head coach following the abrupt dismissal of Sherrone Moore.
Moore, who led Michigan to a 16-8 record over two seasons, was fired for cause after an internal investigation revealed an inappropriate relationship with a staff member. Athletic Director Warde Manuel confirmed the decision, signaling a swift and serious response from a program that holds itself to a high standard both on and off the field.
Now, the Wolverines are staring at a high-stakes coaching search. This isn’t just about finding someone to steady the ship - it’s about finding a leader who can keep Michigan in the thick of the national title hunt, especially with a generational talent like freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood already on campus.
That’s where Brian Daboll’s name starts to carry real weight.
Why Daboll Makes Sense for Michigan
Daboll, fresh off his tenure with the New York Giants, has been linked to several high-profile college jobs recently, including head coaching vacancies at Penn State and an offensive coordinator role at Ohio State. And while nothing is official, Michigan’s opening arguably presents the most intriguing opportunity of the bunch.
Why? Two words: quarterback development.
Daboll’s track record with young quarterbacks is as strong as anyone’s in football. His work with Josh Allen in Buffalo is well-documented - taking a raw, toolsy quarterback and molding him into an MVP-caliber player.
Allen’s early-career struggles with turnovers and decision-making were flipped on their head under Daboll’s guidance. He didn’t just clean up Allen’s game - he helped unlock the full scope of his potential.
Fast-forward to his time with the Giants, and you see a similar pattern. Rookie Jaxson Dart came into the league as a developmental prospect - a 22-year-old with upside but plenty of question marks.
By Week 4, he was leading the Giants to an upset win over a playoff-bound team. That doesn’t happen without a coach who knows how to accelerate a young quarterback’s learning curve.
Now imagine that same approach applied to Bryce Underwood, the No. 1 overall recruit in the country and a player who could be the face of college football in the next few years. If Michigan’s top priority is maximizing Underwood’s potential, then Daboll checks a lot of boxes.
College Pedigree? He’s Got That Too
While most of Daboll’s coaching résumé is rooted in the NFL, he’s no stranger to the college game. He spent a season as offensive coordinator at Alabama under Nick Saban - and it was a pretty memorable one.
That year, the Crimson Tide won the national championship with a quarterback room that featured both Jalen Hurts and Tua Tagovailoa. Daboll managed that transition masterfully, helping guide Alabama to a comeback win over Georgia in the title game.
Saban himself has publicly endorsed Daboll for college head coaching roles, including the Penn State job. That kind of backing doesn’t come lightly. It speaks to Daboll’s ability to handle the unique demands of the college game - from recruiting to player development to the pressure of winning on Saturdays.
The Michigan Job Is Different
Let’s be clear: Michigan isn’t just another college football job. It’s one of the sport’s crown jewels - a program steeped in tradition, with a massive fan base, elite resources, and sky-high expectations.
Not every coach is built for that kind of pressure. But Daboll’s NFL background, his calm demeanor, and his quarterback-centric approach could make him a strong cultural fit in Ann Arbor.
Plus, with the Big Ten expanding and the College Football Playoff growing to 12 teams, the margin for error is shrinking. Programs need coaches who can hit the ground running. Daboll’s experience at the highest level of football might give Michigan the edge it needs to stay ahead of the curve.
What Comes Next?
It’s still early in the process, and Michigan will likely cast a wide net in its search. But if the Wolverines are serious about remaining a perennial contender - and about developing Bryce Underwood into a future NFL star - Brian Daboll should absolutely be on their shortlist.
He’s got the résumé, the pedigree, and the quarterback expertise to lead Michigan into its next era. Whether or not the Wolverines make the call remains to be seen, but the fit is hard to ignore.