The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1542067
20 THE WOLVERINE ❱ JANUARY 2026 BY CHRIS BALAS S herrone Moore has been fired as Michigan's head coach, and the search is underway for his replacement. Moore was fired for cause as a result of an investigation that found that the 39-year-old en- gaged in an inappropriate relationship with a staffer, which began a coaching search for the 22nd leader of the all- time winningest FBS college football program (1,021 wins) on Dec. 10. Moore just wrapped up his second regular season on the job, having fin- ished 9-3 this year following an 8-5 campaign in 2024. The NCAA player transfer portal opens on Jan. 2, and word is Michigan wants a new coach in place by Jan. 1, at the latest. Here are some of the top names we're hearing for the job as of Dec. 16. Kalen DeBoer Alabama head coach Age: 51 Overall record: 123-19 (19-7 at Alabama) Salary: $10.25 million Buyout: $4 million in 2025 DeBoer was set to coach his team against Oklahoma in the first round of the College Football Playoff on Dec. 19. The Crimson Tide missed the playoff last season, falling to Moore and Michi- gan in the ReliaQuest Bowl, 19-13. DeBoer has one of the most coveted jobs in all of college football, taking over for the legendary Nick Saban. However, there could be a chance the pressure causes him to have a wandering eye, es- pecially if Alabama loses to Oklahoma for a second time this season. The coach has ties to the Ann Arbor area, having served as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at Eastern Michigan from 2014-16. One source in Seattle told us in January 2024 that DeBoer had his eye on the U-M job before Moore was hired. However, weeks later, he was Tuscaloosa bound. The Latest: Though he released a statement Dec. 14 denying interest in any job, DeBoer remained high on Michigan's wish list. Some believed strongly the Wolverines would go all out for him if Alabama lost to the Soon- ers, and possibly even wait until Dec. 31 if they won (they'd play Indiana) to see what happened. Kenny Dillingham Arizona State head coach Age: 35 Overall record: 22-16 (ASU) Salary: $5.8 million The second-youngest head coach in FBS, Dillingham, took Arizona State to the College Football Playoff in 2024 along with a Big 12 championship. He is at his alma mater and loves it there, having said it would be hard to leave given his family is all around him. Still, some have told us he "would love the Michigan job" and "the power of put- ting together a roster with huge NIL support." The former Florida State and Oregon offensive coordinator has a track record of developing top quarterback talent, including Jordan Travis, Bo Nix and Sam Leavitt, and while he's confident he can build ASU into a consistent winner — and he's off to a good start — Michigan would be a step up. The Latest: Dillingham and ASU were set to play in the Tony the Tiger Bowl Dec. 31 against Duke. About the Michigan job, he said, "I think that's cool, I guess. That's one of the best programs in the country. That's one of the best logos in the country. I think everybody can agree there. In to- day's era, I think it's one of the best jobs in the country, and I think everybody can attest to that." We believe he'd take the job if offered. COACHING HOT BOARD Who Will Michigan Choose To Replace Sherrone Moore? Alabama's Kalen DeBoer has compiled a 123-19 record in 11 years as a head coach heading into a College Football Playoff game against Oklahoma Dec. 19. PHOTO COURTESY RELIAQUEST BOWL