Michigan coaching search: Wolverines job 'tailor-made' for Arizona State coach Kenny Dillingham, Josh Pate says

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 ramps up, Josh Pate revealed the head coach that he says is ‘tailor-made’ for the Michigan job on Friday morning’s edition of ‘Get Up‘.

“It is desirable, but they’ve got to get Michigan figured out,” Pate said. “I said yesterday, it seems like five years ago, but I said yesterday that before Michigan operated a coaching search, they needed to figure out what Michigan was. That’s kind of reflected in the marketplace of candidates. But I feel kind of strongly about this… that job looks tailor-made for a guy like Kenny Dillingham. I know other names will be thrown out, but I’m telling you, Kenny Dillingham for most college football fans is a guy who they’ve heard sound bites from.”

Josh Pate says he’d circle Kenny Dillingham to be next Michigan head coach

“He’s the guy that took Arizona State to the (College Football) Playoff last year,” Pate continued. “Oh, he’s the guy that Cam Skattebo played for. Kenny Dillingham has the right mix to me of freshness, but also really, really intense. I’ve watched Kenny Dillingham operate in Dan Lanning’s building up at Oregon and fit in very seamlessly, but also look what he’s done with the quarterback position and what Michigan’s not been able to do with the quarterback position. Look at the toughness his teams play with.”

“I know right now they’re looking around and there are other names. I don’t think Kenny Dillingham’s name should be too far down that list, and he’s done a whole lot more with a whole lot less. Like Matt Campbell to Penn State, I just imagine Michigan resources being handed to Kenny Dillingham. He’s actually the name I’d circle.”

Across three seasons at Arizona State, Dillingham has led the Sun Devils to a 22-16 (15-12) record and an appearance in the 2024 College Football Playoff. He had previously been linked to openings at Penn State and Auburn earlier this coaching cycle, but remained put in Tempe.