Report: Sherrone Moore Likely to Be Named Michigan HC After Jim Harbaugh Exit

Timothy Rapp@@TRappaRTFeatured Columnist IVJanuary 25, 2024

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Michigan is reportedly expected to promote offensive coordinator and offensive line coach Sherrone Moore to head coach by this weekend in the wake of losing Jim Harbaugh to the Los Angeles Chargers, a source told Action Network’s Brett McMurphy.

“It’s 99.9 (percent),” the source said. “It’s Sherrone’s job to lose.”

The resounding consensus is that Moore is the clear frontrunner to replace Harbaugh:

Nicole Auerbach @NicoleAuerbachMichigan offensive coordinator Sherrone Moore is considered the favorite to be the Wolverines’ new head coach, multiple sources say. Will be interesting to see if Michigan even considers external options.

Dan Wetzel @DanWetzelOffensive coordinator Sherrone Moore is the significant favorite to be named the next head coach at Michigan, sources tell Yahoo Sports. The 37-year-old went 4-0 as an interim coach this season, including victories over Penn State and Ohio State.

“We are working quickly to hire the next head coach for the program and will do everything possible to keep this current staff and team together,” Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel said in a statement Wednesday.

Whether that includes moving Moore to head coach remains to be seen, but he appears to have the blessing of the locker room. Here’s what All-American offensive lineman Zak Zinter had to say on the possibility of Moore taking over:

Zak Zinter @zak_zinterNo interviews needed. It’s Papa Moore’s time https://t.co/MeK8OuvsCv

Offensive lineman Trevor Keegan told The Athletic’s Bruce Feldman earlier in January that he was close to transferring earlier in his Michigan career, when he wasn’t getting playing time, before Moore intervened.

“Coach Moore came in and changed my whole outlook on life and football. He made me fall in love with football again,” he said. “I can’t thank him enough. He’s just a guy who puts his head down and works as well. He started here as a tight ends coach and now he’s an OC getting head coaching offers.”

Harbaugh also spoke highly of Moore.

“We’ve already seen it, right? You’ve already got a glimpse of the shining star that he is,” he told reporters earlier this month. “He’s just phenomenal, so smart, works so hard at it.”

Moore proved himself in four games as the interim head coach this season, leading Michigan to a perfect record in the role, including victories over Penn State and Ohio State. The win over the Buckeyes included his impassioned tribute to Harbaugh, who was suspended at the time.

The 37-year-old was on Harbaugh’s staff for the past six seasons, starting as a tight ends coach (2018-20) before shifting to offensive line coach (2021-present) and adding offensive coordinator and interim head coach to his duties this past season.

Now, it appears he’ll be Michigan’s head honcho, with the daunting task of replacing Harbaugh.