The Michigan Wolverines find themselves in an unexpected and precarious position as they search for their next head coach. With Sherrone Moore out after being fired for cause, the timing of the move has left Michigan scrambling in a coaching cycle that’s already well underway.
Big names like Kenny Dillingham have already said no, and Kalen DeBoer is still locked in on the College Football Playoff. That leaves the Wolverines in a holding pattern, with Biff Poggi currently serving as the interim head coach.
And suddenly, Poggi’s name is getting a lot more traction than anyone might have predicted.
Former Michigan tight end and current analyst Jake Butt chimed in recently with a strong endorsement of Poggi-not for his win-loss record, but for something a little harder to quantify: his network.
“One thing that is continually overlooked and missed when talking about Biff Poggi as the potential next HC is his network,” Butt posted on social media. “Notice how he joked with Saban on GameDay earlier this year.
That’s a real friendship. He is close with so many legends of the game, and his reputation alone would allow him to get on the phone with anyone he wanted.”
That kind of access matters, especially when a program is trying to stabilize quickly. In a coaching cycle that’s already been picked over, relationships can go a long way toward assembling a quality staff on short notice.
And Butt’s point is worth considering-Poggi isn’t just a placeholder. He’s well-liked within the program and respected in coaching circles, even if his recent stint at Charlotte didn’t exactly light up the scoreboard.
Let’s be honest, though. The results at Charlotte weren’t pretty.
Poggi went 6-18 over two seasons in The American, and while the 49ers were far from a powerhouse when he took over, the improvement just didn’t materialize. That’s where the debate gets interesting.
Could Poggi do better with Michigan’s resources, recruiting pull, and brand power behind him? Possibly.
But hiring him now would feel more like a short-term solution than a long-term plan.
It’s not unlike what we saw with Mississippi State and Zach Arnett, or UCLA turning to DeShaun Foster. Those hires were about continuity and culture, not necessarily chasing championships. And that’s the question Michigan has to answer: Is the goal in 2026 to maintain the vibe, or to keep pushing for national titles?
There’s no doubt Poggi would take the job seriously. He’s beloved inside Schembechler Hall, and he brings a presence that resonates with players and staff.
But if Michigan is aiming for more than nine wins next season, they’ll need to weigh whether Poggi’s upside matches the program’s ambitions. Yes, he could potentially assemble a strong staff-his connections are real-but this late in the cycle, even the best recruiters are working uphill.
If Michigan wants to take a big swing, there are still a few names that could make sense. Kyle Whittingham, for instance, is on the back end of a remarkable run at Utah and has built a program that mirrors Michigan in a lot of ways-tough, physical, and built through the trenches. He’s over 65, sure, but he’s proven and available.
Then there’s the question of whether Michigan wants to stay inside the Jim Harbaugh coaching tree or branch out. If they want continuity, someone like Los Angeles Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter could be a natural fit. He knows the program, understands the Big Ten, and brings a defensive identity that’s aligned with what Michigan has been under Harbaugh.
But if the Wolverines are ready for a reset-a true departure from the past-then it’s time to look outside the tree entirely and target someone with a fresh vision for the program’s future.
For now, though, the focus shifts back to the field. Michigan has a Citrus Bowl date with Texas on December 31, and the players still have a game to prepare for.
But behind the scenes, the clock is ticking. The Wolverines need to decide not just who they want to lead them next, but what kind of program they want to be moving forward.