Sherrone Moore firing sets stage for wild Michigan Wolverines coaching search filled with unexpected high profile names

The Michigan Wolverines stunned the college football world on Wednesday, announcing that they have fired head coach Sherrone Moore for cause. He engaged in an inappropriate relationship with a staffer, and the Wolverines had enough evidence to show him the door and void the rest of his contract.

With Moore gone, the Wolverines will undergo their first full head coaching search in over a decade. The last time they elected to run a full search, they hired Jim Harbaugh, which I'd say turned out to be a win for everyone involved. Who could be the next head coach of the Michigan Wolverines?

Michigan Wolverines Head Coaches to replace Sherrone Moore

Kalen Deboer, Alabama Crimson Tide HC

It's an open secret that DeBoer isn't exactly having the best time in Alabama, and both he and his staff have reportedly been in search of better opportunities elsewhere as the Tide gets murkier after some letdown performances to end both 2024 and 2025. Him making the playoffs this season might have been the only thing that saved his job, and I believe he's feeling the heat already.

Several sources have already relayed to me that the Wolverines would be a job of "strong interest" for DeBoer. DeBoer has spent much of his career around the Big Ten area and has already proven to be a winning head coach everywhere he's been. Taking a clean off-ramp from the Tide to take the Wolverines, who will undoubtedly be more...accommodating might be a welcome shift for DeBoer, and he gets a little closer to home.

Lincoln Riley, USC Trojans HC

Lincoln Riley's name has popped up for several jobs around the league, as he is making the rounds in search of a potential departure from the Trojans. Reportedly, the Florida Gators turned him down this cycle, and his name featured prominently with the Penn State Nittany Lions. Riley has come close to leading the Trojans to prominence, with a Heisman Trophy winner in Caleb Williams and a productive passer this season in Jayden Maiava. If the Wolverines centered this hire around developing Bryce Underwood, there might not be anyone better.

Kenny Dillingham, Arizona State Sun Devils HC

Dillingham has rebuilt the Sun Devils program to prominence, building a College Football Playoff contender right away in his second year at Arizona State and a competitive 8-4 season in 2025 despite numerous injuries. Dillingham has evaluated well, building a strong NFL pipeline with the Sun Devils, and has developed Sam Leavitt into an NFL Draft prospect. It might be a tall task to pull him away from his alma mater, but Dillingham fits the mold of successful coaches the Wolverines have targeted. It might not be glamorous, but Dillingham has proven to be a winning head coach and a strong offensive developer.

Jedd Fisch, Washington Huskies HC

A former Harbaugh assistant, Jedd Fisch is a well-traveled and successful coach, having enjoyed strong seasons with the Wolverines, Los Angeles Rams, and most recently the Arizona Wildcats and Washington Huskies. Fisch has taken over from the aforementioned Kalen DeBoer at Washington and has kept things afloat, going 8-4 this season and building an elite offense. Once again, if the Wolverines are centering this hire around developing Underwood, Fisch has the connections to the university and pedigree as a quarterbacks coach.

Adam Stenavich, Green Bay Packers OC

A former Michigan Wolverine and two-time All-Big Ten offensive tackle, Stenavich has risen the ranks as an NFL coach working with the offensive line under Kyle Shanahan and Matt LaFleur, and now serves as the offensive coordinator for the Packers under LaFleur. While LaFleur gets the credit, Stenavich is just as impactful for their offensive game planning and play designs, and has interviewed for NFL head coaching jobs before. An opportunity to return to Michigan and steady the program might be very appealing here if he won't land an NFL job.

This story was originally published by A to Z Sports on Dec 10, 2025, where it first appeared in the College Football section. Add A to Z Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.