Michigan’s Coaching Search Continues

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To say it’s been a tumultuous week in Ann Arbor would be putting it mildly. After the shocking dismissal and subsequent arrest of head coach Sherrone Moore last Wednesday, Michigan abruptly shifted its focus from its New Year’s Eve bowl game against Texas to an unexpected search for a new football coach.

The timing couldn’t have been much worse. Not only had the coaching carousel already come to a stop, but the transfer portal was just weeks away from opening. Michigan suddenly found itself in the unenviable position of trying to find a new coach while also keeping its roster intact.

Not surprisingly, the days that followed Moore’s dismissal passed in a blur.

What began as a maelstrom of rumors and what-ifs has since quieted down considerably, however, and that silence has made Michigan fans uneasy. With each passing day, anxiety among the Wolverine fanbase has grown, increasing the fear that Michigan won’t get its man … whoever that man is.

Which is interesting, because one of the earliest reports out of Ann Arbor was that Michigan hoped to have a new coach in place by the end of the year. If anything, such a timeline was rather aggressive. Coaching searches tend to take time – just ask Penn State, which took roughly two full months to replace James Franklin with Matt Campbell.

Most people understood Michigan’s three-week timeline was reasonable. But understanding something and living through it in real time are two very different things. It may feel like an eternity since Moore’s dismissal, but Michigan’s coaching search has only just entered its second week. So, a little over a week into the search – and with the College Football Playoff kicking off this weekend – where does Michigan stand in its pursuit of its next football coach?

It’s worth noting that in situations like this, most of the people talking don’t actually know what’s happening and those who do know aren’t saying much. So it’s wise not to put too much stock into anything you hear, even from so-called insiders.

That said, the consensus seems to be that Michigan’s search has focused on two names: Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer and Arizona State’s Kenny Dillingham. Both would be solid hires who would generate plenty of excitement among the Michigan fanbase and players alike. But what kind of fit would each be? And how likely is each to come to Ann Arbor?

Kalen DeBoer

DeBoer has emerged as Michigan’s top target for good reason. The 51-year-old South Dakota native is an offensive-minded coach who has had success at every stop along his career. Prior to taking over at Alabama two years ago, DeBoer won three national championships in five seasons at NAIA Sioux Falls, served as offensive coordinator for an eight-win Indiana team that averaged more than 30 points a game, rebuilt a struggling Fresno State program and went 25-3 at Washington, leading the Huskies to the national championship game against Michigan in 2024.

DeBoer’s longstanding admiration of the Michigan job has only fueled speculation. It’s been widely reported that he has long viewed the position favorably – and might have been a candidate to replace Jim Harbaugh after the 2023 season had the timing worked out differently.

DeBoer’s success – and his offensive underpinnings – are appealing for Michigan, particularly considering how the Wolverines have struggled to generate an explosive offense over the past two seasons. Pairing DeBoer with freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood – one of the most promising young players in college football – is an enticing proposition.

Hiring DeBoer would check a lot of boxes, making it easy to see why Michigan would be interested. But would DeBoer leave Alabama?

It’s complicated.

Not many coaches voluntarily leave destination jobs like Alabama. With its history, recruiting base and virtually unmatched institutional support, there aren’t many upgrades from DeBoer’s current situation. Even if he once envisioned himself in Ann Arbor, leaving a head-coaching position at Sioux Falls or an offensive coordinator role at Indiana is very different from walking away from Alabama.

Alabama has struggled a bit in DeBoer’s first two seasons, going 19-7, missing the playoff in his first season and sneaking into it in his second. Still, with the Tide securing top-five recruiting classes in each of the past two years, there’s plenty of reason for DeBoer to stay in Tuscaloosa.

Perhaps the most critical factor with DeBoer, however, is timing. Alabama faces Oklahoma tonight in the first round of the College Football Playoff. Unlike Lane Kiffin, it’s hard to imagine DeBoer abandoning a playoff team mid-run. As long as Alabama is playing, DeBoer will be coaching.

DeBoer would be a great hire. But he’s also someone who is currently in a very good place – and has his hands rather full at the moment.

Kenny Dillingham

The other name gaining traction is Arizona State’s Kenny Dillingham – a name not widely known to most Michigan fans before its coaching vacancy, but one that now appears firmly in the mix. And not without reason. The 35-year-old Phoenician, now in his third season at his alma mater, has quickly established himself as one of the sport’s more promising young coaches. Dillingham guided the Sun Devils to an unlikely playoff appearance two years ago, falling just short of upsetting Texas in the quarter-finals, and followed that with an 8-4 campaign last season.

Like DeBoer, Dillingham is known for his offensive acumen. A former quarterback, Dillingham rose through the ranks as a quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator at Memphis, Auburn, Florida State and Oregon. While Dillingham lacks DeBoer’s head-coaching resume, he isn’t without pedigree – and his youth and upward trajectory are part of his appeal.

So, similar to DeBoer, there’s plenty of reason for Michigan’s interest in Dillingham. But unlike DeBoer, there may be fewer obstacles preventing Dillingham from leaving his current situation.

That’s not to say it’s a given that Dillingham would accept the Michigan job were it offered. There’s no doubt that Dillingham would love to build a consistent winner at his alma mater. But how feasible is that? Arizona State is not known for strong NIL support and recently lost its starting quarterback to a larger payday elsewhere.

That wouldn’t be an issue at Michigan. If Dillingham’s ambition is to compete regularly for playoff berths and for national championships – the path to that would be easier in Ann Arbor than in Tempe.

So Where Does Michigan Stand?

Reading the tea leaves, Michigan appears content to wait for tonight’s Alabama-Oklahoma game to play out. From there, the Wolverines will likely either make their pitch to DeBoer or pivot to Dillingham. Either way, Michigan would be making a significant upgrade to the top of its football program.

How do I think this plays out? There are simply too many reasons for DeBoer to remain at Alabama. And while Dillingham is undoubtedly happy leading his alma mater – and believes he can take it to the college football mountaintop – doing so would be easier in Ann Arbor.

And while no one has asked, that’s also the direction I’d go. Bookmark this piece if things go sideways a few years down the road, but I’m bullish on bringing Dillingham to Ann Arbor. He’s a riskier hire than DeBoer, but one whose upside justifies the gamble.

An offensive mind. A former quarterback. Someone who values a strong running game while embracing a more modern offense. Add in Dillingham’s youthful energy and it’s easy to see how he could help keep players like Underwood – and Michigan’s other young offensive talent – in Ann Arbor and out of the transfer portal.

Michigan could miss or pass on both DeBoer and Dillingham and be forced to pivot elsewhere. Alternatives such as Jeff Brohm, Kyle Whittingham, Jason Eck or an even darker horse could emerge. But given everything, sign me up for Dillingham.

Just don’t call him Dilly.

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