Michigan’s Coaching Search Heats Up as Citrus Bowl Nears - Biff Poggi Makes His Pitch, Brohm in the Mix
With just days to go before Michigan takes the field in the Citrus Bowl against No. 14 Texas, the Wolverines still don’t have a permanent head coach.
Two weeks removed from firing Sherrone Moore on December 10, the program remains in flux. But behind the scenes, the search is moving fast - and interim coach Biff Poggi is making sure his name stays front and center.
At 66, Poggi isn’t just content to hold the fort. He wants the top job, and he’s not mincing words about it.
In fact, his pitch to athletic director Warde Manuel came with a dose of blunt honesty that turned heads. During media availability, Poggi didn’t hold back, calling Michigan a “malfunctioning organization” and insisting the entire football operation needs reevaluation.
“Everything that happens in this building has to be reevaluated,” Poggi said. “I know what the hell I’m doing. Before I smoke myself to death with cigars, I want to fix it.”
It’s a bold statement, but not out of character for Poggi, who’s long been known for his no-nonsense approach. He stepped in earlier this season during Moore’s two-game suspension and led the Wolverines to wins over Central Michigan and Nebraska - a small sample size, but one that showed he could steady the ship when called upon.
Still, Michigan’s coaching search isn’t limited to internal candidates. According to reports, the school has made direct contact with Louisville head coach Jeff Brohm.
Sources say Brohm was thoroughly vetted early in the process after a search firm initially reached out to his agent. And given his track record, it’s easy to see why he’s at the top of the list.
Brohm’s résumé includes back-to-back 10-win seasons at Western Kentucky and a Big Ten Championship Game appearance with Purdue in 2022. Since taking over at Louisville, he’s posted 10, nine, and eight-win campaigns - a level of consistency that’s hard to ignore.
But it hasn’t all been smooth sailing. Brohm’s defenses have struggled at times, and his teams have occasionally stumbled against lesser opponents.
The 2018 Purdue loss to Eastern Michigan and this year’s three-game skid - including a 38-6 blowout at SMU - raise fair questions about consistency.
Meanwhile, another name to watch is Green Bay Packers offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich. A former Michigan offensive lineman, Stenavich is considered a dark horse candidate. While he hasn’t been as publicly tied to the job as Brohm or Poggi, his NFL experience and Michigan ties keep him in the conversation.
Arizona State’s Kenny Dillingham was also briefly linked to the search, but that buzz appears to have cooled after he leveraged Michigan’s interest to secure a raise.
The urgency around the hire is real. Manuel has stated he wants to make a decision between Christmas and New Year’s Day - ideally before the Wolverines take the field on December 31. That timeline reflects both the importance of the bowl game and the need to stabilize a program that’s been through its share of turbulence.
Michigan remains under NCAA probation stemming from a sign-stealing scandal that rocked the program earlier this year. The fallout has been costly - with the athletic department facing more than $30 million in penalties. Whoever takes over will inherit a talented roster, but also a program that needs to rebuild trust and restore its identity.
As for Moore, the former head coach was dismissed following evidence of an inappropriate relationship with a staff member. He now faces felony home invasion and misdemeanor stalking charges - a situation that forced Michigan’s hand and added another layer of complexity to an already chaotic season.
So here we are: a top-20 team, preparing for a New Year’s Eve bowl game, and still searching for the right leader to guide the next chapter. Whether it’s the fiery Poggi, the proven Brohm, or a surprise name like Stenavich, Michigan’s decision in the coming days will shape not just the immediate future, but the long-term trajectory of one of college football’s most storied programs.