Michigan Wolverines head coaching search takes significant turn as one candidate rises above the field thanks to College Football Playoff
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The Michigan Wolverines have spent the last week and a half searching for their next head coach, following the shocking firing of Sherrone Moore last week. The Wolverines have been pushing hard to have their new head coach in place as soon as possible, and the administration has relayed its desire to have a coach in place by Jan. 1, the day before the transfer portal window opens.
Additionally, the staff wants to close down any possibility of a departure from quarterback Bryce Underwood and the subsequent exodus that would follow him, creating additional pressure to have the right coach in place as quickly as possible.
As we reported last week, their search had narrowed down to two prominent candidates: Alabama’s Kalen DeBoer and Arizona State’s Kenny Dillingham. Following last night’s College Football Playoff game, however, that list just got smaller.
Will Kenny Dillingham be Michigan’s next head coach?
Quite simply, the timeline for Kalen DeBoer to become the next head coach of the Michigan Wolverines just doesn’t match up. The Tide won’t play another playoff game until Dec. 31, and that’s simply not enough time to have him in place before the transfer portal opens up. No matter how much mutual interest there is, the timeline simply doesn’t add up.
Thus, Michigan will have to “pivot” to its other top candidate, Dillingham. However, Dillingham has been in extensive conversations for an extension at Arizona State, and Michigan has yet to offer him the job. While I do believe Dillingham would take the job once offered, Michigan has to put together enough of an offer to lure him away from his alma mater and hope he takes it.
They don’t have another choice here without drawing out this search any longer. They’ve already eliminated several other targets of interest, and risking another chance on DeBoer losing again is a massive gamble that I’m not sure the program can afford.
Barring something unforeseen, this search now becomes a one-man show. If they want any chance of closing this search down just in time for the holidays, Dillingham will be the next head coach of the Michigan Wolverines.
This story was originally published by A to Z Sports on Dec 20, 2025, where it first appeared in the College Football section. Add A to Z Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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