Mark Ingram states Michigan needs 'a leader of men' to replace Sherrone Moore

Michigan is beginning its search for a new head football leader following the firing of Sherrone Moore. Former Alabama running back and Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram believes the Wolverines need to prioritize leadership above all else.

Speaking via The Triple Option podcast, Ingram emphasized that Michigan’s next hire must be someone capable of setting a firm standard. Leading players both on and off the field is a requirement, as well.

“Ultimately, they just need a leader of men,” Ingram said. “Essentially, how Coach Meyer ran his program. You see everyone come back and talk about the standard that he held them to. I played for Coach Saban. He’s someone, a leader of men, who cares about his men. Who pushes them to be the best version of themselves every single day. Both on the field and off the field.”

Ingram pointed to the sustained success of programs led by coaches like Urban Meyer and Nick Saban. He noted that their greatest strength was not always schematic brilliance, but culture.

“That’s what Coach Meyer has done,” Ingram said. “Meeting several of his players that have played for him. Same with a lot of my teammates who played for Coach Saban. So, you’ve got to find a leader of men. A man who can change the culture. Obviously Michigan is a place of high integrity. High standards. You just have to have somebody that’s aligned with that.”

More on Mark Ingram, Michigan job

Alas, Michigan’s head coaching job came open earlier this week following Moore’s termination, which occurred after an internal university investigation and a subsequent legal incident. Since then, several high-profile names have surfaced as potential candidates, including Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer.

Paul Finebaum has suggested DeBoer could be worth monitoring, depending on how Alabama’s College Football Playoff run unfolds. While DeBoer’s downplayed any interest, Finebaum noted that a loss to Oklahoma in the CFP could significantly shift the conversation.

“To this point, it is very mixed on Kalen DeBoer,” Finebaum said on Get Up on Friday. “The standard at Alabama is unforgiving, and the question is how long can he deal with it?”

For now, Michigan’s search remains in its early stages. But Ingram’s message was clear. He believes the Wolverines don’t just need a play-caller or recruiter. 

They need someone who can command the room  and uphold the program’s long-standing standards. As Ingram sees it, Michigan’s next hire must be more than a coach. It must be a leader.

— On3’s Sam Gillenwater contributed to this article.