Paul Finebaum reacts to Sherrone Moore firing, Michigan job opening

Jaws dropped all around the college football world Wednesday night as it was announced 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.

Paul Finebaum reacts to Moore’s firing from Michigan

Just minutes after the news broke, SEC Network‘s Paul Finebaum reacted to the move. While hyping up how big of a job Michigan is, Finebaum threw a stray at Moore by claiming that he ‘never thought (he) was that great of coach.’

“I don’t want to understate, or overstate I should say, how good a job this is,” Finebaum said. “Like Michigan or not, Michigan sits in the front row of college football. There are not many places more revered, and they have a good program. They have one of the best quarterbacks, futuristically, in the country in Bryce Underwood. Unlike a lot of times, you’re walking into a good situation. They weren’t a bad team this year, but I never thought Sherrone Moore was that great of a coach.”

Bryce Underwood was the No. 1 ranked recruit in the Class of 2025 and served as Michigan‘s starting quarterback this season as a true freshman. Underwood passed for 2,229 yards and nine touchdowns while tossing six interceptions. He also rushed for 323 yards and five more scores. If he is to return for his sophomore season, the opening does indeed look even juicier to coaches pondering making the jump to Ann Arbor.

More on Sherrone Moore’s tenure at Michigan

Moore arrived at Michigan in 2018 as its tight ends coach and moved up to co-offensive coordinator in 2021. In 2023, he became the sole offensive coordinator on staff and also served as acting head coach while Jim Harbaugh served a suspension from the Big Ten as the result of a sign-stealing scandal. Michigan went 3-0 during that time and won another game while Harbaugh served a separate suspension.

In 2024, Harbaugh left for the Los Angeles Chargers, which led Michigan to make Moore the full-time head coach. The Wolverines went 8-5 during his first year at the helm, including a victory over Ohio State in “The Game” and a bowl game victory over Alabama to close out the season.

Moore missed two games this season due to a suspension, which was also part of the sign-stealing investigation into the program. He also received a two-year show cause as the result of the investigation. Biff Poggi served as the acting head coach against Central Michigan and Nebraska, both of which resulted in Michigan victories.

Michigan took a five-game winning streak into the regular-season finale against Ohio State, which could have helped send the Wolverines to the Big Ten Championship, depending on the tiebreakers. The Buckeyes came away with the 27-9 victory in Ann Arbor in what became the most-watched game of the 2025 regular season.

The Wolverines, now with Poggi once again as interim head coach, are currently making preparations for the Citrus Bowl after going 9-3 during the regular season. No. 18 Michigan is set to take on No. 13 Texas on Dec. 31.

On3’s Nick Schultz contributed to this article.