Paul Finebaum questions if Sherrone Moore has 'the right stuff' as Michigan head coach

Sherrone Moore had a decent debut season, specifically by the end of it, last fall at Michigan. Now, though, Paul Finebaum has questions of what else that Moore can show as his tenure continues into year two in Ann Arbor.

On ‘Get Up’ on Friday, Finebaum reacted to some comments made by Moore yesterday about his first season while he was at Big Ten Media Days in Las Vegas. He liked his approach coming into this next season but, that said, wants to see him continue to prove himself as head coach of the maize & blue.

“I like what he said there, and it’s hard to find a lot of criticism of a coach who ended the season beating your biggest rival and then beating Alabama in a bowl game with almost no starters as a double-digit underdog,” said Finebaum. “So, Sherrone Moore is saying the right thing.”

“My question is, does he have the right stuff as a head coach?” Finebaum asked. “He did a nice job filling in for Jim Harbaugh during all the controversy, but he didn’t show anyone that much last year other than at the very end. He’s got to be more consistent.”

Moore earned himself the job with how he coached as their interim at points throughout their title-winning season in 2023 under Harbaugh. Then, with Moore as head coach in 2024, Michigan finished at 8-5 overall, namely behind a three-game win streak to end the season with a blowout of Northwestern, a rivalry upset at No. 2 Ohio State, and a win over No. 11 Alabama in the ReliaQuest Bowl. That finish has set up some higher expectations for the Wolverines in year two under him in 2025.

With that, Finebaum feels the season comes down to how Moore develops QB Bryce Underwood, assuming that he’s Michigan’s QB1. He thinks Underwood is the difference in them being in playoff contention or not, even if he has them ultimately not making the College Football Playoff in the end.

“He does have, oh, only the best quarterback coming into college football this year in Bryce Underwood,” said Finebaum. “How long will Bryce Underwood take to matriculate? If he can get him going quickly, they have a chance for a CFP bid. But, I don’t think they’re going to make it. I think they’ll fall just short.”

Moore further confirmed some parts of his coaching work last season in leading Michigan. Finebaum just wants to see him continue that over his second season now, which will be kicking off in five weeks from The Big House.