It seems as thoughMichiganhas a timeline in place to hire its full-time football coach to replace the fired Sherrone Moore.
PerTony Garciaof the Detroit Free Press — part of the USA TODAY Network —Biff Poggisaid on Monday, Dec. 22 that athletic director Warde Manuel told the team he hopes to have a new coach in place between Christmas and theWolverines' bowl game.
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Poggi will lead Michigan in the Citrus Bowl vs. Texas on Dec. 31.
Michigan fired Mooreon Dec. 10 after the university found "credible evidence" he engaged in an inappropriate relationship with a staffer. Moore was arrested on the same day and laterchargedwith home invasion, stalking, and breaking and entering on Dec. 12.
Michigan's search to hire a full-time replacement for Moore has quickly become the dominant storyline of what had already been an active coaching carousel this season.Multiple nameshad been floated to replace Moore, including Washington coachJedd Fisch,Arizona Statecoach Kenny Dillingham and, perhaps most notably,Alabamacoach Kalen DeBoer.
Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore shakes hands with place kicker Dominic Zvada (96) after an extra point against Washington during the second half at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025.Moore, the former Michigan football coach fired on Dec. 10, 2025, was arrested hours after he was relieved of his duties." style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />
See fired Michigan football coach Sherrone Moore's career on the field
Michigan head coach Sherrone Mooreshakes hands with place kicker Dominic Zvada (96) after an extra point against Washington during the second half at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025.Moore,the former Michigan football coach fired on Dec. 10, 2025, was arrested hours after he was relieved of his duties.
Michigan has reason to move quickly in its coaching search: TheNCAA's 15-day transfer portal windowwill be open from Jan. 2-16. However, NCAA rules also allow for a separate 15-day transfer window for players on a team whose coach has been fired. The portal opens five days after the hiring of a new full-time coach.
If the Wolverines can hire a coach in Manuel's preferred timeline, they can avoid a separate 15-day window for players to transfer from the program.
However, the timing also seems to preclude one of the top options to take over at Michigan, as DeBoer will lead the Crimson Tide in the CFP Rose Bowl quarterfinal vs. No. 1 Indiana on New Year's Day. Dillingham has alsoagreed to a contract extension.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Michigan looking to hire coach between Christmas, Wolverines bowl game
