Michigan coaching search: Connor Stalions defends Biff Poggi as a viable candidate for Wolverines

Developments over the weekend mean the Michigan coaching search is entering a new chapter. On3’s Pete Nakos provided the latest on Saturday morning, listing out some of the names the Wolverines are interested in. Interim head coach Biff Poggi might be someone to watch, at least for the time being.

Poggi certainly would not be the flashiest hire, causing some Michigan fans to bring up concerns. But Connor Stalions took time to defend Poggi, specifically when it came to his record as Charlotte‘s head coach. Stalions wanted to provide context on the situation Poggi was dealing with.

“Anyone using Biff’s record at Charlotte as a reason why he shouldn’t be the head coach at Michigan is immediately disqualified from being taken seriously,” Stalions said via X.

“You can point to anything else you want to. But pointing to a record at a brand-new FBS program with extremely limited resources, competing in a conference against USF, Memphis, North Texas, Navy, and SMU (at the time), while also playing Florida and Maryland in the non-con, is just silly. I’m sorry, but Vince Lombardi, Bill Belichick, and Nick Saban wouldn’t go .500 if they all coached together with that schedule given what you’re working with there.”

Charlotte is the only time Poggi has been a full-time head coach at the collegiate level. Two games in place of a suspended Sherrone Moore did take place this season, winning them both. However, a pair of seasons for Poggi at Charlotte resulted in a 6-16 record.

As Stalions mentioned, Charlotte is still young when it comes to FBS experience. They made the jump in 2015 as a member of Conference USA. Poggi’s first season, 2023, was when another move to the American took place. There is only one bowl appearance in the 49ers’ history.

The situation was always going to be tough for Poggi at Charlotte. Stalions wanted to make sure the explanation as to why the overall record is poor was provided.

Depending on how long the search takes for Michigan, an audition-type game might take place on Dec. 31. Poggi is the program’s interim head coach once again after the firing of Moore. He leads Michigan down to Orlando for the Citrus Bowl against Texas.

You have to imagine Michigan would like to have somebody hired by then. An interesting few days are ahead in Ann Arbor, looking for somebody to help bring some stability moving forward.