The Michigan Wolverines stunned the college football landscape earlier this week by dismissing head coach Sherrone Moore, paving the way for a high-profile search to fill the vacancy ahead of the 2026 season.
With interim leader Biff Poggi guiding the No. 18-ranked Wolverines through their upcoming matchup against No. 13 Texas in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl on December 31, the program’s attention is already shifting toward securing a permanent successor.
The timing adds complexity, overlapping with critical recruiting windows, including the early signing period and the transfer portal’s reopening in early January.
Initial reports indicate that Michigan has narrowed its early focus to a pair of accomplished head coaches currently leading successful programs.
According to the Associated Press, a source close to the process revealed that the search firm assisting Michigan has reached out to representatives of Arizona State’s Kenny Dillingham and Missouri’s Eli Drinkwitz.
“The firm hired by Michigan to search for a football coach to replace Sherrone Moore has contacted representatives for Arizona State’s Kenny Dillingham and Missouri’s Eli Drinkwitz, according to a person familiar with the situation. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Saturday because they were not authorized to share details of the search.”
Drinkwitz recently committed to Missouri with a new six-year deal signed on November 27, boosting his annual compensation to an average of $10.75 million. In the aftermath, the Tigers saw their offensive coordinator, Kirby Moore, depart for the head position at Washington State. However, the lucrative extension has not deterred interest from Michigan.
Dillingham emerged as a sought-after candidate this offseason, drawing connections to openings like LSU before reaffirming his dedication to Arizona State heading into 2026.
At just 35 years old, Dillingham holds a 22-16 overall record with the Sun Devils. His standout achievement came in 2024, when he guided Arizona State to a berth in the College Football Playoff. This year, the team finished 8-4 and is preparing for a Sun Bowl clash against ACC champion Duke on December 31.
Reports suggest Arizona State is nearing completion on a new deal for Dillingham, raising questions about whether the program can retain him amid pursuit from Michigan—one of the premier destinations in college football.
As the search unfolds amid a turbulent offseason, the Wolverines aim to stabilize their program and build on recent success while navigating a competitive landscape for top coaching talent.
