The Moore Question: Should Michigan Move On?

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The conversation surrounding Sherrone Moore as the head football coach of the Michigan Wolverines is a complex one, pitting a desire for immediate, top-tier results against the value of continuity and the faith shown in a former staff member. Moore succeeded the immensely successful Jim Harbaugh, inheriting a program that had just won a National Championship, a situation that simultaneously elevated expectations and created a near-impossible standard to maintain.

Moore's overall head coaching record, including his time as an acting head coach, stands at 16-8, with a significant 8-5 finish in his first full season (2024) and a 9-3 regular season in his second (2025). This is solid, but for a fanbase accustomed to three consecutive Big Ten titles and a national championship run, "solid" often isn't enough.

 

 The Case for Continuity

The argument for keeping Moore is multi-faceted and compelling.

  • Program Loyalty and Knowledge: Moore is a "Michigan Man" who was instrumental in the Wolverines' ascent under Harbaugh. He served as the offensive line coach/coordinator during a period of unprecedented offensive success, highlighted by two Joe Moore Awards (2021-2022) and leading an offensive unit that consistently ranked among the best in the nation. He was the chosen successor, a decision that signaled a commitment to the established culture.
  • Performance in Crisis: His 4-0 record as an acting head coach during the 2023 National Championship season, including crucial victories over Penn State and Ohio State, demonstrated his leadership under immense pressure. Furthermore, his 2024 win over Ohio State, a major upset, bought him significant goodwill.
  • Recruiting Momentum: Moore’s early full-time tenure saw a pivotal recruiting win with the flip of five-star quarterback Bryce Underwood, injecting immediate, high-end talent into the program. Maintaining a strong recruiting class is paramount and firing him could risk a significant exodus of committed players, which is a major factor in the era of the transfer portal.
  • Inherited Challenges: Moore inherited a program facing major staff turnover (including the loss of star QB J.J. McCarthy and key defensive coaches) and the ongoing cloud of NCAA investigation. He also faced a two-game self-imposed suspension in 2025 related to the sign-stealing scandal. It is arguably unfair to judge his performance without factoring in these unique destabilizing circumstances.

 

The Case for a Change

Despite the solid record, questions persist, primarily stemming from the team’s performance in the highest-stakes games in 2025.

  • Lack of Elite Competition Wins (2025): The 2025 season (9-3 regular season) saw the team lose convincingly in their three biggest contests—against Oklahoma, USC, and a brutal 41-20 loss to Ohio State. Michigan wasn't merely beaten; they were often uncompetitive in these losses, with the offense in particular struggling for production and showing a lack of modernizing and execution.
  • Offensive Scheme Concerns: Critics point to a failure to maximize the team's talent, particularly with highly rated quarterback Bryce Underwood. The offensive schemes have been called too predictable and insufficiently creative, leading to poor offensive efficiency rankings in his first two seasons. For a program with Michigan's resources, an inability to consistently compete at the absolute top is a serious flaw.
  • The "Replacement-Level" Fear: Some observers feel Moore is a "replacement-level" coach who benefited heavily from the team's momentum and talent accumulated under Harbaugh, and that a national powerhouse like Michigan should aim higher, seeking a coach who can elevate the program beyond its current ceiling.

 

 Conclusion: Patience is the Prudent Path

Should the Wolverines move on and find a better, more suitable front man? The answer to me is possibly, and here is why.

The lopsided losses to rivals and top-tier programs in 2025 are a legitimate cause for concern, firing a head coach who posted an 8-5 record in his first full season (including a win over OSU) and then a 9-3 regular season in his second, while navigating significant program instability, could be a premature and potentially disastrous move. There lies a cost financially to fire him which is reported to be about a 5-million-dollar buyout, but as we’ve seen recently with Michigan State, money shouldn’t be getting in the way of the program’s success.

Moore has demonstrated a commitment to recruiting, has strong program ties, and the players clearly respect him. Michigan's best course of action is to demand significant and visible changes to his offensive staff and scheme, allowing him at least a third full season to prove he can turn a solid foundation into a top-tier contender in the expanded Big Ten and College Football Playoff. The leash will undoubtedly be shorter in year three, but for now, continuity and calculated improvement represent the most prudent strategy for the Wolverines.

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