The search for a head man at the Big House has reached a fever pitch, but as of December 20, 2025, the vacancy at the University of Michigan remains unfilled. Just ten days after the shocking “for cause” termination of Sherrone Moore following an internal probe into an inappropriate relationship with a staff member, the Wolverines find themselves in a race against the clock.
With the transfer portal set to open on January 2nd and a high-stakes Citrus Bowl matchup against Texas looming on New Year’s Eve, the silence from the Schembechler Hall decision-makers is deafening to a restless fan base.
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Why the Delay?
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The Playoff Problem: Michigan’s top choice, Alabama’s Kalen DeBoer, is currently locked in a deep postseason run. Following the Crimson Tide’s victory over Oklahoma last night, DeBoer is officially unavailable for serious negotiations until Alabama’s playoff journey concludes. With the Tide scheduled for a quarterfinal matchup on January 1st, Michigan cannot wait for him without risking a total roster exodus when the portal opens on January 2nd.
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The Extension Wave: The Wolverines’ “Plan B” was widely believed to be Arizona State’s Kenny Dillingham. However, that door slammed shut this morning when news broke that Dillingham signed a massive extension to stay in Tempe. Michigan reportedly “slow-played” Dillingham while waiting on DeBoer, and the Sun Devils capitalized by locking their coach down with a $7.5 million average annual salary.
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The “Michigan Man” Dilemma: There is a palpable internal debate regarding whether to stick with a familiar face like interim coach Biff Poggi, who has the vocal support of the locker room, or to go for a “clean break” from the Sherrone Moore/Jim Harbaugh era. The administration is wary of hiring someone with ties to the recent NCAA investigations, making candidates like Chargers DC Jesse Minter a complicated sell.
The primary reason for the perceived “delay” isn’t a lack of interest, but rather a catastrophic collision of timing. Michigan Athletic Director Warde Manuel is navigating a minefield of modern college football hurdles that have effectively blocked his primary targets.
The Latest Odds (as of Dec 20, 2025)
With DeBoer and Dillingham effectively off the table, the betting board has seen a seismic shift. Here are the current favorites to lead the Wolverines in 2026:
Kyle Whittingham (Utah)
+250
The 177-win veteran has surged as the new favorite.
Jedd Fisch (Washington)
+325
Regarded as the “fallback” who could jump immediately.
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Jeff Brohm (Louisville)
+550
A proven winner who could stabilize a chaotic situation.
Biff Poggi (Interim)
+700
The internal choice if outside searches continue to fail.
Eli Drinkwitz (Missouri)
+850
A rising name that has gained steam in the last 48 hours.
The Bryce Underwood Factor
Perhaps the biggest reason for the urgency, and the frustration, is the presence of five-star freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood. The crown jewel of Michigan’s recruiting efforts is the focal point of the search. Sources indicate that Underwood’s camp wants clarity before the January 2nd portal window. If Michigan doesn’t have a high-level offensive mind in place by then, they risk losing the cornerstone of their future.
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As it stands, Michigan is in “pivot mode.” The pursuit of a “home run” hire like DeBoer has left them standing at the plate while the game moves on. Whether they can convince a veteran like Kyle Whittingham to leave his legacy at Utah or successfully circle back to Jedd Fisch will determine if 2026 is a rebuild or a return to glory.
