College Football Coach Hire Grades: Michigan

Michigan Wolverines: Sherrone Moore

Why the job was open: This one is in the eyes of the beholder. Did Jim Harbaugh leave to avoid further game suspensions for the multiple investigations ongoing, or did he simply accomplish what he planned to at Michigan? I’m inclined to believe it’s the latter, but I still want to see them release Connor Stalions’ manifesto. Do it Michigan, give the people what they want! Harbaugh conquered college football and now he’s off to the LA Chargers to win a super bowl with Justin Herbert, a QB he feels he can make a star.

Coach Profile: Moore has spent a lot of his coaching career at Michigan starting with the program back in 2018. He’s worked his way through the coaching staff throughout the years, and landed his big break with multiple interim stints this past year. Moore stepped up during those times going 4-0 overall, including leading the Wolverines to wins in their big closing stretch of their schedule over Penn State and Ohio State.

Why he will succeed: Not many coaches get their first job with a program that has the title of “defending national champion” but Moore has that opportunity. He’s assembled an excellent staff around him to help keep the momentum going. In terms of the foundation, it’s hard to inherit much better than this.

What obstacles are in the way of success: It’s never easy to be the guy who succeeds “The Guy” and that’s the challenge Moore is up against. He’s never been a head coach before and this is a lot of pressure to take on. Any time they lose people are going to point to how they could have hired just about anybody but promoted within. Life in the Big Ten is going to be tougher with Oregon and other tougher foes joining, and don’t forget it’s not like their rivals in Columbus have fallen completely off.

Grade: B – This grade is dragged down by what’s on the surface, the Wolverines are going from being led by one of the best coaches in the game to a first time head coach. Moving past that piece, this grade is still pretty high. Moore intimately knows what it took to get this program to this point and his limited resume is impressive. Michigan gave themselves a good chance to keep this going.