Kirk Herbstreit gives powerful perspective as Michigan parent amid Sherrone Moore situation

In the aftermath of Sherrone Moore’s firing at Michigan, Biff Poggi has been working to keep the program on track. All the while, Kirk Herbstreit is getting a unique perspective on the situation.

Herbstreit’s son, Chase, is a quarterback on the Michigan roster. That means the he’s not only is assessing the situation as an analyst, but also as a parent.

Speaking on ESPN’s College GameDay on Friday, Herbstreit praised the job Poggi and the university have done since Moore’s departure. Michigan is currently getting ready for its bowl game against Texas, and Herbstreit said Poggi deserves credit for the work he’s doing to navigate everything.

“For me, it’s been interesting,” Herbstreit said. “I’ve just been on a bunch of Zooms with the rest of the parents, listening in and trying to watch Biff Poggi try to navigate these [uncharted] waters. It’s been, obviously, a very difficult set of circumstances. Something that not only Biff, but the entire staff didn’t expect this, didn’t ask for this and now, they’re put in this situation.

“I’ll just say, as a parent, I’ve been blown away by Biff Poggi and what he’s done. You guys know him. Not necessarily surprised by that, but this is a difficult set of circumstances outside of Schembechler Hall. But what he’s done to be able to pull this team together, almost like a father figure, to me.”

Kirk Herbstreit: ‘I salute the University of Michigan’

The Michigan players learned of Moore’s firing last week after the program abruptly called a team meeting, On3’s Pete Nakos previously reported. As the search continues for the Wolverines’ next head coach, there’s plenty of unknowns. Specifically, Kirk Herbstreit pointed out the uncertainty around the staff and who will still be in Ann Arbor next season.

But Herbstreit again praised the university’s approach to the situation. The Wolverines’ bowl game against Texas is scheduled for New Year’s Eve, and he’s curious to see how the players respond amid all the noise.

“The staff, a lot of these guys, who knows who the next head coach is going to be?” Herbstreit said. “Maybe some will stay. Maybe some will looking for other jobs. Meanwhile, they’re trying to continue to get ready for Texas.

“So I just want to say, as a parent, I salute the University of Michigan for how they’ve been able to try to keep this thing together – especially Biff, the entire staff, the coordinators. … Now, they’ve got to go, like I said, get ready. These players are trying to lock in and block out all that noise. I tip my cap to them and looking forward to seeing how they play against Texas.”