Michigan coaching search: David Pollack suggests Brian Kelly to be next Wolverines coach

After two seasons at the helm, Sherrone Moore was officially fired as Michigan‘s head coach on Wednesday night with cause. Moore succeeded former head coach Jim Harbaugh following his departure for the Los Angeles Chargers in 2024 and led the Wolverines to a 16-8 record in the full-time role.

On3 confirmed that Wolverines players were abruptly called for a team meeting on Wednesday, 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.

The University will have to move fast to find a replacement, as the NCAA Transfer Portal opens on Jan. 2. As the search begins, David Pollack lofted a polarizing name as a potential fit at Michigan on the latest episode of ‘See Ball Get Ball with David Pollack.’

“There’s a name that doesn’t make me laugh, it’s just a name that makes sense where they’re at,” Pollack said. “A good coach that you probably don’t have to pay as much because he’s currently getting paid A LOT of money. And that’s Brian Kelly. I imagine Brian Kelly is a name — I’m not saying he’s No. 1, but I imagine that name will be talked about for this job. It’s a better fit up north than it was in Baton Rouge.”

Brian Kelly has coached in every college football season since 1991

Brian Kelly is no stranger to leading some of the biggest brands in the sport, as he coached Notre Dame from 2010-2021 and LSU from 2022-2025. In that span, Kelly led the two programs to a combined 147-58 record with an appearance in the 2012 National Championship Game (with Notre Dame). He was fired after eight games this season following LSU‘s embarrassing 49-25 loss to No. 3 Texas A&M in Baton Rouge, but likely won’t sit on the sidelines long.

Kelly has been an absolute winner almost everywhere he’s coached. This includes stellar marks of 118-35-2 at Grand Valley State (1991-2003) and 33-6 at Cincinnati (2007-2009), along with his well-publicized tenures at Notre Dame and LSU. For a program looking to once again reach the pinnacle of the sport, there won’t be many candidates more qualified than the Massachusetts native.

He would also likely be cheaper to hire than some other potential options, as he will receive his full $54 million buyout from LSU. LSU said it expects Kelly to “maintain reasonable documentation of” the upcoming job search, including offers and interviews, Yahoo Sports’ Ross Dellenger reported. Kelly’s contract at LSU had a duty to mitigate cause, requiring him to search for another job after his firing. The letter said that also includes making “good-faith, reasonable and sustained efforts to obtain” employment.

On3’s Nick Schultz contributed to this article.