Booger McFarland gives Michigan small window to replace Sherrone Moore: 'They got to get this done within 48-72 hours'

Michigan‘s search for its next head coach began on Wednesday following the shocking news that Sherrone Moore has been fired with cause stemming from an alleged inappropriate relationships with a staffer. ESPN’s Booger McFarland believes the Wolverines need to act fast in replacing him.

“I hope that Warde Manuel has a plan as he goes forward,” McFarland said during SportsCenter on Wednesday afternoon. “The transfer portal is going to start here in about 10 days or two weeks, and they got to figure out what they’re going to do. Because even though they fired him for cause and they feel like they did it rightfully so, they have to figure out a plan going forward.

“And because the calendar happens so fast, they’ve got to do it rather quickly. This can’t be a long, drawn out search where you can take two weeks. They got to get this done within 48-72 hours.”

Most of the madness in the coaching carousel took place between Week 14 and conference championship week. Many of the top options for head coach have been poached up and signed. In turn, it’s unclear whether the Wolverines will find its next headman outside the program, or inside like they did with Moore.

“We always know when Michigan looks for a head coach, they’re always looking for a ‘Michigan Man.’ Right now, a lot of those guys are tied up. They’ve got jobs elsewhere,” McFarland said. “When you fire a coach so late in the game, the candidates are slim. The assistants are even slimmer.”

With less candidates than preferred, and even less time to make a hire, what’s next for Michigan remains unclear. The Wolverines’ unexpected coaching search comes less than two calendar years since Moore took over as the team’s head coach.

He replaced Jim Harbaugh, who left for the NFL and the Los Angeles Chargers after just leading Michigan to a national championship win. Moore took over that offseason and led the Wolverines to an 8-5 record after winning at least 12 games in each of the last three seasons prior. After taking Michigan to a 9-3 finish during the 2025 regular season, Moore ends his tenure in Ann Arbor with a 17-8 overall record.

Michigan will move forward and keep its focus on the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl vs. Texas on New Year’s Eve. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. ET live on ABC.