Sherrone Moore. Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Michigan isn't expected to have to look far for next head coach

By Eric Smithling | Last updated 1/24/24

With Jim Harbaugh returning to the NFL, Michigan needs a head coach. It won't have to look far to find one.

Per On3.com's Chris Balas, offensive coordinator Sherrone Moore is expected to be named head coach. However, due to state law, the university must wait seven days to make an announcement.

Austin Meek of The Athletic noted the university could apply to have the seven-day waiting period waived.

On the potential timing of elevating Sherrone Moore, university policy requires that jobs be posted for a minimum of seven days, but departments can request a waiver based on "legitimate business needs."https://t.co/yVNGiO9EJk.
— Austin Meek (@byAustinMeek) January 25, 2024

Moore is the obvious call after he led Michigan during game days five times in the regular season.

The university suspended Harbaugh for the first three games of the year due to an NCAA investigation into recruiting infractions, with Moore serving as head coach against Bowling Green.

The Big Ten conference then suspended Harbaugh for the final three games of the season after evidence of an alleged sign-stealing scheme orchestrated by former analyst Connor Stalions was discovered, and Moore served as head coach for each contest.

He did more than enough to earn the job, but he has a tough task in keeping the Wolverines at the top of the conference.

Michigan didn't just lose Harbaugh this offseason; quarterback J.J. McCarthy, running back Blake Corum and wide receiver Roman Wilson are headed to the 2024 NFL Draft.

Defensively, the team must place defensive back Mike Sainristil and linebacker Michael Barrett, among others.

The Wolverines schedule next season is also much tougher than anything Harbaugh went through the past three seasons as he built Michigan back into a national powerhouse.

Michigan hosts Texas, which returns quarterback Quinn Ewers, in a nonconference game in September, and also must face USC, Washington and Oregon in their first seasons as Big Ten members.

As usual, the regular season ends with Michigan playing Ohio State, but this time in Columbus.

The Buckeyes have a loaded roster. Multiple veterans announced their return in 2024, making them arguably the team to beat in the conference next season.

Moore is set to take over with Michigan at the top of the college football mountain. Now comes the hard part: ensuring it isn't all downhill from here.

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