When Jim Harbaugh took the job with the Los Angeles Chargers and left the Michigan head coaching job vacant, the Wolverines had only one choice really.
Offensive coordinator Sherrone Moore was the inevitable replacement. And now he's officially the head coach of the Michigan Wolverines.
On Friday, athletic director Ward Manuel confirmed that Moore was the pick, calling him "a dynamic, fierce and competitive individual who gets the best out of the players he mentors."
So blessed to be apart of this great University! Excited to continue to what we have built! #GoBluešµ #SMASHšš¾ https://t.co/QRJsOBjhCM
ā Sherrone Moore (@Coach_SMoore) January 27, 2024
A live reaction of Michigan fans at Yost Ice Arena captured the excitement of the fanbase.
chants of āthank you Harbaugh!ā at Yost Ice Arena tonight.
ā Alejandro ZĆŗƱiga (@ByAZuniga) January 27, 2024
An ovation as the Sherrone Moore news is announced, then chants of āWe got Moore.ā pic.twitter.com/nQEX7wFWs6
How did Michigan Twitter respond? Despite losing a national title-winning head coach, there's a lot of optimism in Ann Arbor.
Michigan Twitter loves the Sherrone Moore hire
Yeah, Sherrone Moore developed back-to-back Joe Moore Award winning O-lines, and also led Michigan to wins over Ohio State and Penn State but if you really want to know why UM players feel so strongly about him, read this: https://t.co/38gXveSEyi pic.twitter.com/yPxbg4ujKA
ā Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) January 27, 2024
Losing Harbaugh sucks. But anytime there's a head coaching change with your fav team, it brings a period of excitement. New fresh energy. I have no idea if the Sherrone Moore era will be a success. But no reason not to be optimistic and excited.
ā Insider Corner (@WolverineCorner) January 27, 2024
Sherrone Moore will have Michigan playing SMASHMOUTH FOOTBALL against Ohio State for years to come. pic.twitter.com/ptvTDTvnRd
ā Trevor Woods (@WoodsFootball) January 27, 2024
Sherrone Moore hasn't been Michigan's HC for a full day yet.
ā Krrrsten (@Krrrrrsten) January 27, 2024
And he still has the same amount of wins against Ohio State as Ryan Day has against Michigan.
teehee
Denby, Kansas (population 25k)
ā Beat (@michigan_beat) January 27, 2024
Butler Community College
Oklahoma transfer
3 years as a GA
9 years as a TE coach
Sherrone Moore has worked his ass off to get to this level
Head Coach of the defending National Champions
When Sherrone Moore beats Fresno State 31-6 by running the ball 40 times in his first game as official head coach pic.twitter.com/dfSO8upHmE
ā Josh ć½ļø (@UMFanJosh) January 26, 2024
Moore was an easy hire to make because he's already done the job, sort of. Stepping in for Harbaugh while he was suspended at two different points during the season, the then-interim head coach went 4-0 with wins over Bowling Green, Penn State, Maryland and Ohio State.
Harbaugh hired Moore as his tight ends coach in 2018 after he had a successful stint in the same role with Central Michigan from 2014 to 2017. In two seasons as a position coach, Moore impressed enough to take on a role as a co-offensive coordinator and offensive line coach. He was Michigan's sole offensive coordinator for the first time in 2023.
Hiring Moore allows Michigan to avoid a major exodus as was seen with Alabama and Washington after January coaching changes. That doesn't mean guiding the reigning national champions will be easy. The Wolverines are under the specter of NCAA investigation and have lost a significant number of starters from their national title run, including quarterback JJ McCarthy, All-American running back Blake Corum, six offensive linemen with starting experience including All-American guard Zak Zinter, sack leader Jaylen Harrell and All-American defensive back Mike Sainrstil.
Moore has a tough job ahead of him, but he'll also be able to maintain some form of stability for the Wolverines with a roster that already loves and supports him.