There are so many uncertainties swirling around Michigan football right now. Biff Poggi is the interim head coach and it looked like he was doing a great job keeping everything together, but some recent remarks on a podcast where he said that 25 players may not go to the bowl game have people very concerned.
Former offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey is now employed by Missouri, which leaves the play calling duties in Steve Casula’s lap. Casula has some decent experience, but he’s never run an offense at this level against an opponent like Texas.
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There don’t seem to be any true frontrunners for the head coaching position and Biff is recently behaving like a guy who has no shot at getting the job. Apparently the roster is about to change in a major way and the recruiting class might not be far behind.
All in all, Michigan football is spiraling and something needs to be done soon in order to stop the bleeding. With today being Christmas, what are we hoping for?
1. An offense that is worth flipping on the television each football Saturday
This one is most likely on many Michigan fan wish lists, but for too long (last two seasons), Michigan’s offense has been way too one dimensional with the run and too easy to game plan for. The teams that had success against the Wolverines were able to stop the run, and once that was stuffed, Michigan had no answer through the air, even with their million-dollar quarterback Bryce Underwood.
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To win at the highest level, there needs to be an explosive passing game that is following up a strong running game. To solve this, Michigan not only has much work to do to hire their head coach, but also fill the offensive coordinator vacancy, and it would be wise to get a solid quarterback coach in the building as well. With all the turmoil surrounding the program, this may be a big ask, but it’s necessary, and Michigan needs to get it done as soon as possible.
2. Get a transfer portal quarterback just in case Underwood leaves
This one would serve a dual purpose. First, if Michigan drags their feet too long and Bryce decides to leave, this will secure a seasoned quarterback to take the starting role. If Bryce decides to stay, a transfer quarterback would offer some competition for Bryce as well as opportunities to develop even further. Again, the likelihood of this is even farther off than the first ask, but having a seasoned transfer QB sure would help Michigan’s quarterback room out and allow Bryce to thrive.
1. A head coach and an offensive coordinator that can pass the ball
The first gift I want for Christmas for the Wolverines is a head coach and offensive coordinator that brings in a passing game to complement a dominant running game. I’d love to see Bryce Underwood throw the ball down the field more often to keep the defenses honest. Additionally, I would like to see an offense with RPOs being used and the coaches allowing Underwood to keep the ball on quarterback runs more often.
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2. To keep the recruiting class intact
My second gift for Christmas for the Wolverines would be to have the 2026 signees stay committed to the school. The players should have confidence that the school will hire a good coach and one thing that will always be there will be the highly respected Michigan degree. I’m hopeful the team has a player bond strong enough to keep the pieces in place to be competitive in 2026.
1. An offensive coordinator with a successful passing scheme
Michigan has a very expensive, very naturally talented quarterback in place in Bryce Underwood and had absolutely no idea how to use him last year. The former five-star signal caller threw just nine touchdown passes over the course of 12 games. That is flat out unacceptable in today’s world of college football even on a run-heavy team.
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Underwood has shown that he has all the arm talent in the world and can absolutely spin in when protected or while on the move. Fellow freshman wide receiver Andrew Marsh stepped up big time down the stretch of the 2025 season, which bodes well for both young players next year. With some solid tight ends still potentially on the roster and some very athletic wide receivers inked in the 2026 class, the OC needs to understand how to scheme guys open and how to maximize Underwood’s abilities.
2. A head coach with some gusto
I am very ready for Michigan to employ a head coach with some balls. Jim Harbaugh was a pretty old-fashioned, conservative coach for the most part, and Sherrone Moore took that to a whole new level. I do not want Michigan to hire another coach who is terrified of 3rd and medium to long, who won’t even consider going for it on fourth down and who has no concept of what being aggressive is at the end of halves or when the opponent is reeling.
It’s time to get a killer on the sidelines. A coach who will see his opponent suffering and go over and stand on their neck. It’s time for Michigan to behave like a powerhouse program because it is on.
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Basically, I’m completely over the entire “Michigan Man” concept. If it’s about etiquette and not running up the score and respecting the opponent to the nth degree, I don’t want it. I’m not talking about breaking rules or playing dirty, but I’m ready for an assassin to call the shots.
