Sherrone Moore transition from beloved interim to first-time head coach just became more challenging
The Sherrone Moore era is off to an inauspicious start.
Too hyperbolic?
Probably, but just two days after being introduced as Michigan’s new head coach, Moore is already facing the tricky transition I suggested was possible less than a week ago.
Sherrone Moore was always the obvious successor to Jim Harbaugh. His offensive lines were the backbone of Michigan’s success the last three seasons, and then he beat Penn State and Ohio State as an interim head coach this fall. The players wanted Moore to replace the legendary Harbaugh, and the now Los Angeles Chargers head coach even endorsed Moore’s candidacy for the opening.
But Harbaugh certainly hasn’t made the transition easy — and why should he? His loyalty is to Dean Spanos now.
It was long expected that top-notch defensive coordinator Jesse Minter would follow Harbaugh to the NFL. Same for Michigan special teams coordinator Jay Harbaugh, Jim’s son.
But there was optimism in Ann Arbor that perhaps the most important assistant on the Wolverines’ staff not named Sherrone Moore would stay with the program.
Outside of Harbaugh, esteemed strength and conditioning coordinator Ben Herbert has been seen as the foundational piece for Michigan for the last five years. Herbert is the highest-paid S&C coach in the country, and his grueling physical and mental workouts turned the Wolverines from a punching bag into one of the toughest teams in America.
The players loved him, and Harbaugh has called Herbert “the X-factor” and “the best hire I’ve ever made.” Herbert has keyed Michigan’s player development, and at Big Ten Media Days this summer, Harbaugh said, “Nobody’s got Herb.”
Well, now Michigan certainly doesn’t.
Two days ago, Moore was confident Herbert would be a part of his inaugural staff, answering a question that he was “very encouraged” and “definitely excited.”
He later added, “I have talked to him. I’m going to try to get that done as fast as possible. So getting to work. Been getting to work, got to work last night, get to work today and throughout the day, and as we go on the recruiting trail, [staff decisions] will be a top priority top priorities. So we’ll get done as fast as possible.”
Not fast enough, evidently.
Despite suggestions from Moore and others to the contrary, reports surfaced Monday that Herbert would also follow Harbaugh to LA.
This is a huge blow for Moore and the Wolverines. Chris Balas of The Wolverine On3 called it “crushing” and reported on the emotional “gut punch” of the impending departure.
Players took to social media and posted broken heart emojis.
The Wolverines reportedly immediately promoted Herbert assistant S&C coach Justin Tress to the same position, and while the continuity there is nice, it’s not the same as having Herbert on staff.
Losing Ben Herbert doesn’t spell doom for Sherrone Moore as Michigan’s head coach, but it does amplify the immediate challenges he’ll face over the next month as a first-time head coach.
Player retention just got harder.
Assembling a championship staff is now more difficult.
Maintaining that culture and championship DNA that Harbaugh and Herbert cultivated becomes even harder to replicate.
Sherrone Moore has a ton on his plate as a first-year head coach taking over a blue-blood program days before the calendar turns to February. While almost every other team in the country has been weeks into its offseason plans, Michigan is just getting started.
Moore must navigate the 30-day transfer portal window, hire at least three new coaches (perhaps more) and make sure Michigan’s NIL Collectives are in order.
That’s a lot already, and now his likely right-hand man is out the door, too?
Sherrone Moore must replace a legend who will have a statue outside the Big House someday. That’s challenging enough. The transition from beloved interim to the man in charge was supposed to be more streamlined with Herbert around as the priority holdover.
Best laid plans, huh?