The Michigan Wolverines fired head coach Sherron Moore and now everyone is wondering who the program should hire to replace him.
Here are four options Michigan could consider.
Karen DeBoer
It’s the name most associated with Michigan right now. Will this end up being speculation or assertion?
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Alabama head coach Karen DeBoer has lost to Michigan State twice in recent years – in the national championship game as Washington State’s head coach and in the 2024 ReliaQuest Bowl as Alabama’s head coach. Despite the loss to Michigan, DeBoer was still a very good coach and achieved high results everywhere he went, compiling a 123-19 record as a college head coach. Alabama is currently 9-4 on the season and will face Oklahoma State in the first round of the College Football Playoff. Does he really want to leave a top program midway through the playoffs? Will he quit his job that pays more than $10 million a year by 2031?
Kenny Dillingham
If you want to prioritize developing Bryce Underwood, look no further than Arizona State head coach Kenny Dillingham. Dillingham has been innovative wherever he’s been, especially as offensive coordinator at Auburn (2019) and Oregon State (2022). Dillingham went 11-3 at Arizona State in 2024 and made the College Football Playoff. Dillingham’s partnership with Arizona State quarterback Sam Leavitt resulted in one of the most entertaining passing offenses in all of college football. Dillingham is a strong leader, great recruiter and innovative offensive mind who is hungry at just 35 years old. This will be an exciting hire and the Michigan offense will become increasingly dangerous.
Marcus Freeman
Is Freeman upset about the Fighting Irish not making the College Football Playoff? Would he rather coach in the Big Ten? After all, he is a linebacker at Ohio State. Freeman is currently making about $10 million at Notre Dame, which would put him in the same league as DeBoer in terms of what Michigan was offering to lure him away from its stable program. Freeman is a passionate and accomplished head coach who will likely lead Michigan back to the playoffs consistently, but are there mutual interests?
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Jesse Minter
Minter, who served as Michigan State’s defensive coordinator in 2022 and 2023, has been outstanding the past two years as the Los Angeles Chargers’ defensive coordinator. Minter received a one-year performance rights from the NCAA last year, but the contract expires on December 15, 2025. Minter may want to spend the entire season with the Chargers, though, as the Chargers are likely to make the playoffs. Additionally, Minter is a likely candidate for an NFL head coaching job this cycle, and he may want to stay in the pros.