Michigan’s Coaching Search Hits a Wall as Top Targets Slip Away
Ten days after parting ways with Sherrone Moore, Michigan’s coaching search has run into a pair of major roadblocks - and both arrived within a span of less than 10 hours.
The Wolverines had been eyeing two high-profile names to potentially lead the program into its next chapter: Alabama’s Kalen DeBoer and Arizona State’s Kenny Dillingham. But as of Saturday morning, both are effectively off the board.
Let’s start with DeBoer. Heading into Friday night’s College Football Playoff matchup between Alabama and Oklahoma, there was still a flicker of hope in Ann Arbor that a Crimson Tide loss might open the door for Michigan to make a run at him. But Alabama erased a 17-point deficit and stormed back to beat the Sooners 34-24, a statement win that likely shut the door on any potential exit for DeBoer.
Even before that comeback, DeBoer had publicly committed to staying in Tuscaloosa. Last week, he released a statement saying he had “no interest in speaking with anyone else about any other job.”
Still, the idea persisted that a playoff loss might change the equation. Now, with Alabama advancing and DeBoer doubling down on his commitment, it would be a shock to see him leave - regardless of how the Rose Bowl matchup against Indiana plays out.
Meanwhile, Michigan’s other top candidate, Kenny Dillingham, made his decision even more concrete. Just hours after Alabama’s win, reports surfaced that Dillingham had signed a contract extension with Arizona State, ending any speculation about a potential move to the Big Ten.
Dillingham had been open about his admiration for the Michigan program, calling it “one of the best in the country” during a recent media session. But he also made it clear that Arizona State is home - literally and emotionally.
His family lives nearby, and as an ASU alum, the connection runs deep. A visibly emotional Dillingham spoke about his love for the program last week, reinforcing the idea that he’s in it for the long haul.
With both DeBoer and Dillingham now out of reach, Michigan finds itself without a clear frontrunner in its coaching search. The timing couldn’t be more delicate.
The Wolverines are less than two weeks removed from firing Moore for cause, following an inappropriate relationship with a staff member. And while the program remains one of the most prestigious in college football, the clock is ticking to find the right leader to guide it forward.
Several other names have been floated as potential candidates, though none appear to have emerged as favorites - at least not yet. Among them: Washington’s Jedd Fisch, Louisville’s Jeff Brohm, Missouri’s Eliah Drinkwitz, and former Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham, who stepped down from his post last week. There’s also Jesse Minter, currently the defensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Chargers, but more notably Michigan’s former defensive coordinator under Jim Harbaugh in 2022 and 2023.
As of Saturday morning, there’s no clear indication that Michigan has zeroed in on any of those options, nor is it clear how much mutual interest exists between the coaches and the university.
What’s clear is this: Michigan’s coaching search just got a lot more complicated. With their top two targets now firmly off the table, the Wolverines are back to the drawing board - and the pressure to find the right fit is only growing.