The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1503142
THE WOLVERINE 2023 FOOTBALL PREVIEW ■ 41 BY CHRIS BALAS J im Harbaugh didn't have to look far when he opted to make a move to a new offensive line coach in 2021. Former line coach Ed Warinner had improved the group in his three years on the job, but Michigan's head coach was ready for some new blood to take the line to another level, understanding that's where games are still won and lost in the Big Ten. For three years, Sherrone Moore had shined in his role as tight ends coach and as a recruiter, proving his worth as one of the best up-and-coming young coaches in the game. The former collegiate line- man at Oklahoma was the obvious choice for Harbaugh, and not just because so many programs in the country had taken notice of him. Harbaugh knows young coaching talent when he sees it, one of the reasons many consider his 2023 staff the best he's had yet at Michigan. Harbaugh also added co-offensive coor- dinator duties to Moore's title in 2021. This year, Moore will handle it by himself with Matt Weiss having been let go, the next step toward becoming a head coach some- where in the near future … and frankly, the Wolverines were fortunate to keep him this year. He had opportunities, including one Power Five school to the west that offered and several others that were interested. Moore, though, had made it clear he loves it at Michigan. He's also in a posi- tion now in which he can be choosy, and for that he thanks Harbaugh. "He's everything [to my career]," Moore said in an exclusive to The Wolverine. "He's a special human, a great friend, and some- body I can call a friend for life … a brother for life. He's done so much. He gave me so many opportunities … to see some things in me maybe I didn't see in myself. "I'm forever indebted to him. I will do anything for him. That's my guy. He means everything to me in my career. I'm just so thankful to have him in my life." Rest assured, Harbaugh feels the same about his protégé. The impact Moore has had not only on the program, but also his players' lives, has played as big a role as any in the program's turnaround after a rock bottom 2020 season. Though some might call him a "players' coach" given how much his players love and respect him, he's certainly no pushover. He sets a high bar for his guys both on and off the field, and he demands their best. When he doesn't get it, they're made well aware it's not good enough. Moore sets the expectation every day, grad student offensive guard Trevor Keegan said, and has earned all the praise he's received. "He's one of those younger coaches who is hungry, trying to fight and prove themselves. Being a tight ends coach, of- fensive line coach, offensive coordina- tor, it just shows his track record of hard work," Keegan said. "It trickles down on us. He lets us be who we want to be, and as offensive linemen, we're kind of the funny goofy guys. "But …" But they also know when it's time to fall in line. "We know when we have to be serious," Keegan said. "But it's not all business. He knows when we can be goofy to make the moment not as big, maybe crack a joke or something. "We have the best culture of any room in the nation, I feel like, just because of the guys we have, and Coach Moore lets us be like that. He's definitely changed this program forever — forever. What he's done for us personally and what he's done for the program is insane." To the point that some in the building believe he could be the Michigan head coach down the line. Through it all, Moore has remained humble and grounded. That demeanor comes through in every interview and was on display again in this Q&A with the Michigan offensive coordinator. The Wolverine: It's hard to read an ar- ticle about Michigan football today with- out people speculating on your future as a potential head coach . Even Jim Har- baugh brings it up, that you're " ready." How much do you think about your future in that respect? Sherrone Moore: "I don't think about it at all; I really just think about the now. People always bring that up, and it's cool to have the opportunity to hear people talk about it. But I'm just really focused on right now, on myself and the thought process of being 'in the now' without try- ing to think about too far ahead in the future. "I'm trying to figure out what's going to be best for today. I want to do every- thing I can to help us win every ball game this year." The Wolverine: This will be your first year as sole offensive coordinator after sharing the duties the last two years. How does your role change, if at all? And how might it affect the time you have to coach the offensive line? Moore: "Probably the biggest adjust- ment in the game will be calling all the plays. The adjustment for me off the field was just the management of everything. I kind of took that in my own doing that last year a little bit, but just having the full responsibility with the title and what coach has done with the staff — it's tre- mendous. It helps me out so much. "We work so well together. I told the staff, 'It's not my offense … it's every- body's offense.' We're going to do every- thing we can to make sure it's good. The adjustment in the offensive line is just to let the guys I have help me. I've got a