Michigan Has ‘Obvious’ Move to Make If Jim Harbaugh Bolts for NFL, Says Fox’s Joel Klatt

Every offseason, coaching changes create massive ripple effects across college football. With the transfer portal opening at the end of each season at the same time that the coaching carousel starts spinning, massive upheaval is the state of play in the sport each winter.

The impact is even more significant for teams that lose coaches after the transfer portal closes, as was the case with Alabama and Nick Saban (which then led to changes at Washington, Arizona and San José State). While there are often unexpected openings later in the offseason, the team to watch right now is Michigan. Fresh off of a national championship, Jim Harbaugh once again has been interviewing for NFL jobs, with the Los Angeles Chargers and Atlanta Falcons among the franchises courting the former San Francisco 49ers coach.

It is no guarantee that Harbaugh—who reportedly has a massive contract extension offer from Michigan on his desk—leaves for the pros. However, if he does, Fox’s Joel Klatt thinks the school’s next move is obvious.

“After watching what transpired at [Alabama] & then [Washington] & then [Arizona] over the last 10 days it is obvious that [Michigan] should promote Sherrone Moore if Jim Harbaugh decides on NFL…Coaching changes are now complete chaos,” Fox’s top game analyst wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

After watching what transpired at @AlabamaFTBL & then @UW_Football & then @ArizonaFBall over the last 10 days it is obvious that @UMichFootball should promote Sherrone Moore if Jim Harbaugh decides on NFL...Coaching changes are now complete chaos

— Joel Klatt (@joelklatt) January 22, 2024

While the transfer portal opens to the masses in December, players dealing with a coaching change are allowed to enter the portal in the aftermath of the move regardless of the calendar date. Therefore, Alabama, Washington, Arizona and San José State had to suffer the roster attrition that comes with changing coaches, but don’t have a full complement of players available to recruit from the portal—at least, not until it re-opens following spring football in April.

Michigan can help mitigate those issues by promoting Moore to head coach if Harbaugh leaves, Klatt argues.

Although Moore—who currently serves as offensive coordinator and offensive line coach—has never been a full-time head coach, it’s difficult to imagine someone in his position being better prepared for the job.

Moore served as acting head coach for Michigan’s 31–6 win over Bowling Green early in the season, during Harbaugh’s self-imposed first suspension of the season. Later, when Harbaugh was suspended by the Big Ten due to the program’s sign-stealing scandal, Moore stepped in and led the team to wins over Penn State, Maryland and archrival Ohio State, securing the Wolverines’ spot in the Big Ten championship game. 

Promoting a relatively inexperienced interim coach is always a risk, but Moore proved he can lead Michigan to wins over two of the best foes the Big Ten has to offer in November. If he also can prevent the floodgates from opening in the event of Harbaugh’s departure, it would be difficult to argue against the hire.