Should Jim Harbaugh depart Michigan for the NFL, Sherrone Moore is the front-runner to take his position.
Sherrone Moore, the offensive coordinator for Michigan, will take over as head coach of a college football team very soon, and many insiders in the business believe he might replace Jim Harbaugh in the event that he decides to depart for the NFL. “The Michigan way” must be upheld above all else, according to Sam Webb of The Michigan Insider, who spoke with 247Sports on Sunday. If necessary, there is a simple decision to be made.
“The next best option (if Harbaugh signs an NFL contract) for preserving the culture is hiring Harbaugh’s no. 1 assistant, and that’s Sherrone Moore,” Webb said. Sherman has spent six years at Michigan, rising through the ranks from offensive line coach to coordinator to tight ends coach. Two consecutive years, his team won the Joe Moore trophy under his coaching. Not only as a stand-in, he was the one under criticism at the conclusion of the season.
“When his offense was unable to stop the Nittany Lions’ pass rush, he had to make split second decisions on the road against Penn State, and he successfully altered the game plan.” Then, against Ohio State, he made bold, game-winning choices two weeks later.”
Ahead of the College Football Playoff national championship, Chris Hummer conducted a feature on Moore and talked with players and a variety of coaching sources about his ascent in the business.
LaDarius Henderson, a first-team All-Big Ten left tackle for Michigan, said to 247Sports, “We saw some high-level football thinking from him, from like a chess match standpoint,” about Moore’s contribution to the Wolverines’ victory against Penn State this season. “The play’s performance was very complex, in addition to the play’s calling. “This guy might be the smartest college football coach,” I thought to myself.
At Michigan, Moore filled a variety of positions and was excellent in each, which finally led to his exceptional performance this season as Harbaugh’s temporary head coach. In addition to helping Michigan defeat Penn State without Harbaugh, Moore led the way as the Wolverines defeated Ohio State to secure a place in the Big Ten championship game and prevented an upset against Maryland while playing on the road.
“I think Michigan’s administration saw enough to say while they’ll do a search and talk to national people, their respect for the job that Sherrone has done and their belief that he can carry on Jim Harbaugh’s culture makes him the overwhelming favorite to become Michigan’s next coach if Harbaugh goes to the NFL,” Webb stated.
Relevant: Moore’s argument for head coaching candidacy
Bruce Feldman of The Athletic stated that Moore’s circumstance is comparable to coordinator-to-leading positions transitions in recent years, including as Ohio State’s Urban Meyer to Ryan Day scheme.
Given that Harbaugh is supposedly scheduled to have his second interview with the Atlanta Falcons this week as the Wolverines and the school continue their contract negotiations, it is obvious that the program needs a succession plan if it is going to require a coach very soon. According to The Michigan Insider, Harbaugh’s second meeting with Arthur Blank and the Falcons is a big deal because of his earlier talks with the Los Angeles Chargers and the possibility that the NFC team may provide a bigger pay than alternatives.
The danger that Harbaugh would depart Michigan for the NFL this summer is “greater” than it was last year, according to Webb, who made this statement this week on CBS Sports HQ. According to Webb, Harbaugh’s choice is still up in the air and is influenced by a number of considerations, including potential management and front office positions in the NFL, salary ramifications, and contract language.
Despite his conversations with the Chargers and Falcons last week, Harbaugh hasn’t ruled out a long-term deal at Michigan provided certain conditions are met, according to Yahoo Sports. According to Yahoo Sports, in particular, Harbaugh wants a lower buyout in the event that he decides to leave for an NFL chance in the future, as well as protection from termination in the event that the several NCAA investigations into Michigan football have negative effects.
For only $1 for the first month, get football and recruiting rumors about your favorite collegiate team.
It confirms what Michigan director of athletics Warde Manuel has been telling Wolverines supporters for weeks about his attempts to retain the national championship-winning coach on staff until 2024 and beyond: Harbaugh is still in discussions for an extension.
