Michigan seems to stay in the college football headlines these days. A cheating scandal last year, and now a cover-up of a bombshell story involving the head coach. The story about Sherrone Moore is a wild one, from threatening to kill himself, to threatening to kill a staffer, to being intercepted by the police after being turned in by his wife. Moore is now in protective custody.
The most worrisome headline to emerge from this situation is that the University of Michigan supposedly knew about it weeks ago. So are there upcoming punishments for the university? Possibly. Will this situation deter top coaching candidates from the job? We’ll have to find out. This is still the winningest program in college football history with one of the deepest NIL pockets in the country. Let’s check out the top candidates for the Michigan head coaching job.
Kalen DeBoer, HC, Alabama (+200)
DeBoer is BetOnline’s top candidate for the job, yet DeBoer also seems like the most unlikely. DeBoer’s ties to Michigan are limited to a few years as an offensive coordinator at Eastern Michigan from 2014 to 2016. DeBoer is in year two with Alabama, having appeared in the SEC Championship game last Saturday and due to appear in the College Football Playoff next week. He currently possesses the #2 recruiting class in the country on 247 Sports’ Composite ranking.
Just last year, DeBoer recruited Keelon Russell, the highest-ranked recruit in Alabama history. Currently signed to Alabama is running back Ezavier Crowell, Alabama’s highest-ranked RB recruit since Najee Harris. DeBoer has also signed Xavier Griffin, Alabama’s highest-ranked LB recruit since 2017. DeBoer has signed 8 5-star recruits in his two recruiting cycles at Alabama.
Regardless, DeBoer seems to be Michigan’s #1 target, and he’s the best hire the program could make. DeBoer is 7-1 versus Kirby Smart, Dan Lanning, and Steve Sarkisian. He owns the best winning percentage against ranked opponents in college football. DeBoer will be near impossible to pry away from Alabama, but Michigan is going to do its absolute best.
Jedd Fisch, HC, Washington (+325)
Fisch has an immediate tie to the University of Michigan. He served as quarterbacks coach, wide receivers coach, and passing game coordinator in 2015 and 2016. Michigan went 20-6 during these two seasons. In 2015, QB Jake Rudock threw for 3,017 yards, 20 TDs, and 9 INTs. In 2016, QB Wilton Speight threw for 2,538 yards, 18 TDs, and 7 INTs. Fisch put one quarterback and two receivers into the NFL draft during these years.
Fisch has built an impressive resume since becoming a head coach. The Arizona Wildcats went 1-11 during Fisch’s first season after a 0-5 season the year before. By Fisch’s third year, the Wildcats were 10-3. Fisch coached first-round draft picks Tetairoa McMillan and Jordan Morgan.
Fisch then left for Washington, where the Huskies are currently 8-4 and ranked 12th in college football’s recruiting classes. Currently, Fisch has signed a 5-star offensive tackle, plus another ten blue-chip recruits. Fisch has Washington outrecruiting programs such as Florida State, Oklahoma, and Clemson.
Jesse Minter, DC, Los Angeles Chargers (+450)
Minter has followed the path of a man who fits the Michigan mold. He spent four seasons with the Baltimore Ravens under John Harbaugh. He then spent one season at Vanderbilt before becoming Michigan’s defensive coordinator under Jim Harbaugh. He’s now the defensive coordinator for the Los Angeles Chargers, once again under Jim Harbaugh.
The Los Angeles Chargers currently rank 14th in rushing defense and 5th in passing defense. The Chargers also rank 9th in sacks per game. Minter has helped turn LB Tuli Tuipulotu into a budding star, totaling 18.5 sacks since the start of last season. Given Minter’s young age of 42, he’s likely to become an NFL head coach relatively soon.
Minter makes the most sense of all candidates. He’s a Michigan hero, coordinating the defense that won the 2023 national championship. He’s coached under both Harbaugh brothers. He recruited and coached some of Michigan’s most productive college and NFL players. Plus, he’s young. Which means Michigan can buy into him for a long time.
Other Candidates
Kenny Dillingham, HC, Arizona State (+550)
Dillingham is one of college football’s youngest head coaches and has accomplished a lot in a short time. He took over an Arizona State program that was receiving vacated wins from a disastrous prior coaching staff. Dillingham went 3-9 in year one, 11-3 with a Big 12 conference title in year two, and now 8-4 in year three.
Before becoming a head coach, Dillingham made his name as offensive coordinator for Auburn, Florida State, and Oregon.
Joe Brady, OC, Buffalo Bills (+1200)
Brady is the man to hire if you want Bryce Underwood to reach his potential. While at LSU in 2019, Brady turned Joe Burrow into one of college football’s all-time great players. Since becoming the Buffalo Bills’ OC last year, Brady has turned QB Josh Allen into an MVP.
Brady is one of the fastest-rising coaches in modern football history. He was coaching linebackers at William and Mary just a decade ago. Since then, he’s called plays for one of college football’s all-time greatest offenses and has been one of the best play-callers in the NFL. The Buffalo Bills are currently ranked 2nd in yards per game and 5th in points per game.
Brian Daboll, ex-HC, New York Giants (+1200)
Speaking of coaches who deserve credit for Josh Allen’s development and production, Brian Daboll was the offensive coordinator for the Bills from 2018 to 2021. Under Daboll’s guidance, Josh Allen went from a promising yet wild rookie to arguably the NFL’s best QB.
Daboll’s head coaching career with the Giants is an interesting topic. His overall record comes to 21-41-1. However, Daboll was handed a strange QB situation. Daniel Jones was the QB when Daboll took over, and the Giants franchise held onto Jones for another three seasons under Daboll. So Daboll was handed a QB he didn’t choose, and the franchise didn’t draft a different starter until Daboll’s last year.
Daboll was the offensive coordinator at Alabama during the 2017 season. Under Daboll’s play calling, QBs Jalen Hurts and Tua Tagovailoa passed for 2,717 yards, 28 TDs, and 3 INTs. Alabama also rushed the ball for 3,509 yards, 36 TDs, and 5.7 YPC. The Crimson Tide won the national title that season.
