Just days after the Wolverines wrapped their regular season, Sherrone Moore was out. While the reason may have shaken the program, Michigan doesn’t have many options left to take the reins at this point, with several candidates already off the market: some hired, others locked down by lucrative extensions. Still, a few names have already surfaced, but the Washington head coach looks like the strongest fit.

Interestingly, Jedd Fisch’s rapid rise now meets an already established contender. His rise has gained significant traction as a possible replacement for Moore, and according to Kalshi’s early odds for the Michigan job, Fisch sits at 25%. At 49, Jedd Fisch brings a rare blend of college savvy and NFL polish. He spent 13 seasons as an assistant coach with six different NFL organizations, and his track record speaks loudly.

He took Arizona from a 1-11 misery to a top-11 powerhouse in just three seasons. Now, he pushed Washington to back-to-back bowl trips, while Fisch’s elite recruiting efforts are exemplified by Washington’s 2026 class, which is ranked No. 12 nationally via 247Sports. With this recruiting ability and proven turnaround potential, Fisch seems a fit for the Michigan head coaching job, and he already knows the program’s culture, too.

Back in 2015 and 2016, he coached Michigan’s QBs and WRs under Harbaugh. However, one thing to note is that he’s locked into a seven-year deal to lead Washington at $7.75 million a year, which will amount to nearly $54 million. But if Michigan wants a fresh start after Moore’s termination with cause that violated university policy, Fisch is the kind of coach who can drive real improvement. Washington went 6–7 in his first season, and this year the program climbed to an 8–4 finish.

Besides Fisch, the Crimson Tide’s head coach, Kalen DeBoer, has been floated as a second stronger fit (23%) for the Big Ten head coaching job, according to Kalshi’s report. His team is CFP-bound, but an early playoff stumble could crank up the pressure and push him to explore new horizons. That’s where Michigan could slide into the conversation fast.

These candidates may have the potential to fill the shoes Moore left behind after his concerning exit.

Moore took the reins in Ann Arbor for two full seasons after Jim Harbaugh departed for the Los Angeles Chargers. In that span, he posted an 18–8 record as Michigan’s head coach. To cap it off, the Wolverines went 8–5 in his debut season and just wrapped up a 9–3 campaign this year. Before that, as offensive line coach and co-offensive coordinator, Moore helped guide Michigan to a perfect 15–0 season and the 2023 national title.

Despite all that, Michigan has parted ways with him for alarming reasons. Now, the Wolverines have named Biff Poggi as interim head coach. But speculation still swirls over who will ultimately land the job.

Potential candidates for the Michigan head coaching job

Michigan’s coaching search just got a new direction. On3’s Pete Nakos posted a hot board of potential replacements for Sherrone Moore, and one of the big names that jumps out is Brian Kelly.

The former Notre Dame coach was let go at LSU, but his resume speaks volumes. With a 297–109–2 record as a head coach and national relevance restored at the Irish, he is a clear fit. Moreover, with cold weather and a rich history in northern Indiana, Kelly checks all the boxes. However, there are other names also with proven track records.

Jeff Brohm impressed at Purdue and Western Kentucky, producing top-tier QBs and mastering offensive schemes, while Mike Elko offers defensive expertise and program-building credentials. Then there are the familiar faces.

Jesse Minter, tied to Harbaugh’s tree, knows Michigan’s culture inside and out, though he’s also eyeing NFL opportunities. Besides, Dan Mullen, fresh off a 10-win season at UNLV, brings a program-building blueprint. So, he is a potential candidate too.

While the Wolverines have options, from B1G veterans to NFL-tested tacticians, the next hire could define the program’s trajectory for years to come.