The Michigan Wolverines will have to find a new football coach after firing Sherrone Moore on Wednesday.
The Moore situation leaves Michigan with a shocking vacancy that the program will want to fill as soon as possible, particularly given how the transfer portal window works now. Who will Michigan hire?
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Well, we feel like Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer will give the Wolverines the “thanks, but no thanks” when asked. We have no doubt Michigan would love to hire DeBoer at this point, but it just doesn’t feel likely.
Where else could Michigan turn? Does the school have many viable options right now? Well, we can think of a few.
We’ve compiled our best list of realistic Michigan targets after Moore’s firing. These guys could feasibly stabilize a program in massive disarray and get it back on the path of national title contention. Don’t worry, we’re not including Brian Kelly. We wouldn’t wish him on you, Michigan fans.
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Washington HC Jedd Fisch
Nov 22, 2025; Pasadena, California, USA; Washington Huskies head coach Jedd Fisch during the game against the UCLA Bruins at the Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
It wouldn’t shock us if Fisch was Michigan’s top realistic choice for its coaching vacancy. The former Wolverines assistant turned around Arizona during his first official coaching stint before taking over for DeBoer at Washington in 2024. While his 14-11 record as head coach might not wow you, Fisch is regarded as a bright offensive mind who could provide stability for a Michigan program that sorely needs it. If the Wolverines can pay out his Washington deal, we imagine Fisch might make the jump to Ann Arbor and take over as head coach.
L.A. Chargers DC Jesse Minter
Jun 16, 2025; El Segundo, CA, USA; Los Angeles Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter watches during organized team activities at The Bolt. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Minter is one of the brightest branches from the Jim Harbaugh tree, and he’s likely to follow in Mike Macdonald’s footsteps as a future NFL head coach. However, what if he’s intrigued by the idea of returning to Michigan, where he won a national title under Harbaugh in January 2024 as the team’s defensive coordinator? Minter would be a slam-dunk hire from an Xs and Os standpoint for Michigan who also knows the program quite well.
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Indiana DC Bryant Haines
Indiana University Defensive Coordinator Bryant Haines instructs players during fall practice at the Mellencamp Pavilion at Indiana University on Friday, Aug. 16, 2024.
If you want to beat your arch nemesis Ohio State, why not hire from the Indiana coaching staff that just beat the Buckeyes in the Big Ten title game? Haines should land a head coaching job sooner than later after his stellar work with the Hoosiers defense. Michigan would be smart to at least interview him and see how he’d lead the program.
Maryland OC Pep Hamilton
WASHINGTON, DC – FEBRUARY 15: Head coach Pep Hamilton of the DC Defenders looks on against the NY Guardians during the first half of the XFL game at Audi Field on February 15, 2020 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
Hamilton is one of the most respected minds in football, particularly in quarterback development. If the Wolverines want to take quarterback Bryce Underwood’s development to the next level, bringing back Hamilton to Ann Arbor would make a ton of sense. He worked as the assistant head coach and passing game coordinator under Harbaugh from 2017-18. He’s not been a college head coach before, but he might just be waiting for the right opportunity.
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Michigan alumnus Charles Woodson
Feb 6, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; Charles Woodson during Fox Sports media day at Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Think about it. Few Michigan alumni are as beloved as Woodson, who is probably the best defensive player to ever wear the Wolverines jersey. In an era where schools are hiring former players as first-time coaches, hiring Woodson would probably be the biggest public relations win the school could land. Of course, he’d have to be interested in the job, but he would arrive to Ann Arbor a returned hero. If he could land the right coaching staff around him, we imagine Woodson could dominate in recruiting and get Michigan back in the contending conversation in no time.
Michigan interim coach Biff Poggi
Michigan acting head coach Biff Poggi walks onto the field for second half against Central Michigan at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Sept. 13, 2025.
Poggi has worked as an interim coach for Michigan in the past, and he’s reassumed those duties in response to Moore’s firing. We’re wondering if Michigan might wait a year to find a long-term replacement and give Poggi a one-year trial run with the job to see how he does. He’s technically the most experienced candidate for this specific job.
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Michigan DC Wink Martindale
Michigan defensive coordinator Wink Martindale watches a play against Ohio State during the second half at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Nov. 29, 2025.
Martindale is a former NFL defensive coordinator who joined the college ranks. If Michigan wants an in-house option, it could also turn to Martindale and his impressive body of work. He would provide continuity and might help in keeping defensive transfer candidates in particular in Ann Arbor for the 2026 season and beyond.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: Michigan coaching candidates when Kalen DeBoer says no
