Michigan coaching search: ESPN names five candidates to replace Sherrone Moore

It was announced Wednesday night that Sherrone Moore had fired as Michigan‘s head coach. He took over for Jim Harbaugh in 2024 and led the Wolverines to a 16-8 record in the full-time role.

On3 confirmed Wolverines players were abruptly called for a team meeting, where they learned of the news. Michigan AD Warde Manuel then announced the decision was for cause after a university investigation found “credible evidence that Coach Moore engaged in an inappropriate relationship with a staff member” in a statement. Biff Poggi will serve as the interim head coach.

The University will have to move fast to find a replacement, as the NCAA Transfer Portal opens on Jan. 2. As the search begins, ESPN named five candidates that could possibly replace Moore in Ann Arbor. The complete list is below.

Alabama HC Kalen DeBoer

Of the five coaches on this list, Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer seems the least likely to depart his current job for the Michigan opening. DeBoer is in the midst of his second season in Tuscaloosa, where he’s led the Crimson Tide back to the College Football Playoff with a 10-3 record. He was previously linked to the Penn State opening prior to Matt Campbell‘s hiring, but completely shut down the possibility of departing Alabama.

“We’re extremely happy at Alabama, … we’re extremely happy here, love the challenge, love the grind, love this place, and there’s never been any link, there’s never been any conversation, there’s never been any interest either way (with Penn State),” DeBoer said during his SEC Championship head coach press conference. “So I’m glad we can put that to bed right now.”

Duke HC Manny Diaz

Much like DeBoer at Alabama, Manny Diaz is in his second season as Duke‘s head coach. Against all odds, Diaz led the Blue Devils to their first ACC Championship victory since 1989 thanks to a 27-20 victory over Virginia. Duke however improved its record to 8-5 with the win and was left out of the College Football Playoff, as the final two auto-bids went to Tulane (American) and James Madison (Sun Belt).

In five seasons as a Power-Four head coach (three seasons at Miami and two seasons at Duke), Diaz boasts a 38-24 career record. The Miami native is no stranger to the Big Ten Conference, as he served as Penn State‘s defensive coordinator from 2022-2023.

Washington HC Jedd Fisch

Washington head coach Jedd Fisch is also in the midst of his second season with the program. Fisch was previously with Arizona, but was named Kalen DeBoer‘s replacement in 2024 following his move to Alabama. Across two seasons, Fisch has led the Huskies to a 14-11 record with back-to-back bowl game appearances.

Fisch previously served as Michigan‘s quarterbacks coach/wide receivers coach/passing game coordinator from 2015-16 prior to being named UCLA‘s offensive coordinator in 2017. He was tabbed as a potential candidate for the Florida opening earlier this head coaching cycle prior to Jon Sumrall‘s hire.

Los Angeles Chargers DC Jesse Minter

Los Angeles Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter is a no-brainer to be on a Michigan hot board, as he previously served as the Wolverines’ defensive coordinator from 2022-23. With Minter in charge of Jim Harbaugh‘s defense, Michigan ran the table in 2023 and won the National Championship. He is currently in his second season with the Los Angeles Chargers after following Harbaugh from Ann Arbor.

Minter was issued a show-cause punishment, alongside former assistant coach Steve Clinkscale, in April due to multiple recruiting violations. “The agreed-upon violations involve multiple impermissible early recruiting communications with a prospect prior to June 15 of his sophomore year of high school,” an NCAA statement said about Minter. “Minter was aware that these communications were impermissible but did not report the violations to the school’s compliance department.”

Cleveland Browns OC Tommy Rees

Finally, Cleveland Browns offensive coordinator Tommy Rees rounds out ESPN’s Michigan Hot Board. Rees has been floated around as a head coach at multiple collegiate programs for the past two seasons. He was previously Alabama‘s offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach in 2023 before being hired as Cleveland’s pass game specialist & tight ends coach in 2024. This season, Rees was promoted to offensive coordinator.

Just like Diaz, Rees has history coaching in the Big Ten. His career began as a graduate assistant at Northwestern before beginning his journey to becoming an NFL offensive coordinator. Much like Minter, he has never been a head coach at any level of football.