The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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62 THE WOLVERINE ❱ SEPTEMBER 2024 T hirty-eight-year-old Sherrone Moore was thrust into head- coaching duty on an interim ba- sis when Jim Harbaugh was suspended for four games in 2023, a big reason why — when Harbaugh left for the Chargers in January — there was support from players, the fan base and even impar- tial media members for Moore to lead the Michigan football program going forward. While he was only acting as head coach on those four game days, he led the Wolverines to some big-time wins. But Jan. 26, 2024 was the day when Moore actually became the full-time leader of the program. He still has a lot to prove — his team hasn't even taken the field for a game — but he's been im- pressive every step of the way. We asked senior tight end Max Brede- son how the program has changed under Moore. He sat back in his chair and took a long pause. "It's a good feeling that I can't re- ally put a finger on anything, honestly," Bredeson replied after racking his brain. "It feels like the same program. The blueprint is there." Of course, there are differences. Some of those will become apparent as the Wolverines go through a full season un- der Moore's guidance. But staying the same and adding his own twists was the way to go, since Michigan has won using this "blueprint," coming out on top in 40 of its last 43 contests. Moore wasn't just a big part of Michi- gan's resurgence over the last three sea- sons — he was watching, observing and planning for his time as a head coach, whether that was in Ann Arbor or else- where. That's why he was ready to go when called upon on those four Saturdays last fall and in January when he got the job. Graduate safety Wesley Walker is at his fourth school in six years as a col- lege football player, having spent time at Georgia Tech (2019-21), Tennessee (2022-23) and Louisville (spring 2024). The previous three individuals he played for — Geoff Collins, Josh Heupel and Jeff Brohm — have a combined 19 years of head-coaching experience, yet Michi- gan's man stands out among the rest. "He keeps things in order," said Walker, a 6-foot-1, 200-pounder out of Lewisburg, Tenn. "He makes sure ev- erything flows smoothly. "Actually, of all the places I've been, I think this is the smoothest practice flow. It's strictly ball, and that's what it should really always be. It's not about your rah-rah stuff. It's just strictly ball and getting in and getting better." Possessing that level of smoothness in running the operation as a first-year head coach is very encouraging. 'MERITOCRACY' NOW AND GOING FORWARD In 2025-26, the NCAA will imple- ment a new enforcement model that allows revenue sharing to student ath- letes (around $21.5 million per year at a given school) and has new roster limits. All Division I student-athletes will be required to be on at least a par- tial scholarship. For head coach Dusty May, Michigan basketball and programs around the country, it means new ros- ter-management strategies will have to be implemented. Roster limits, or increased scholar- ship caps, are a wild card. Men's bas- ketball currently has a 13-scholarship limit, but that will be increased to 15 beginning in 2025-26. Some teams don't even use the 13 scholarships they're allowed right now. Michigan, for example, is only at 12 com- ing into May's first season in Ann Arbor. Perhaps coaches will use full or partial scholarships on walk-on type players. Two reasons for that: 1) It could be dif- ficult to recruit up to 15 players typically worthy of a full ride at their school. 2) The university may not be willing to pay for 15 scholarships plus revenue sharing splits for each individual. But Michigan isn't Florida Atlantic or the like. The money will likely be there for May, and he's going to take advantage by building competition. It will allow Michigan to take players who need to be developed before they make significant impacts, too. "Our sport's a meritocracy, where if you're self-aware, then you realize when you should be playing and when you shouldn't," May said of the concern expressed by some coaches that it will be hard to recruit 15 players who all want to see the floor. "We welcome having a couple more spots. "It allows you to take potentially a developmental player, someone that might take a year or two longer than [someone] you would sign otherwise. I like it because we love the developmen- tal part. We love working with guys. We enjoy having players in our program." In short, May alluded, it's nothing completely new. He hasn't recruited 13 players that expect to be the go-to guy on a night-in, night-out basis, and won't start doing that going forward. Everyone has their role. And to no one's surprise, May has a plan. ❏ SAYFIE BLITZ ❱ CLAYTON SAYFIE Something Special Is Brewing Michigan's players believe first-year head coach Sherrone Moore has the blueprint for success and have lauded the smoothness of the team's workflow during practices. PHOTO BY DOMINICK SOKOTOFF Staff writer Clayton Sayfie has covered Michigan athletics for The Wolverine since 2019. Contact him at Clayton.Sayfie @on3.com and follow him on X (Twitter) @CSayf23.