Jim Harbaugh returned back to Ann Arbor on Thursday night after being named as the next head football coach of the Los Angeles Chargers. The 60-year-old will address his now-former Michigan players and staff for the final time before beginning the new chapter of his career.
Although the Wolverines would love to move forward in naming Harbaugh’s replacement, there is a law in the Mitten State that is preventing the university from moving any faster than it is. They are required to post their job listing for seven full days before the vacancy can be filled.
Michigan cannot name its next head coach until Wednesday.
However, it would be a big shock if the school proceeds to hire anyone other than Sherrone Moore. Barring an extremely unexpected development, the Wolverines’ 37-year-old offensive line coach and offensive coordinator will succeed Harbaugh.
The outgoing coach threw his support behind Moore while speaking to the Detroit News.
I’ll always be a loyal Wolverine. But not a better man to coach the team than Sherrone Moore. He has my vote, my support wholeheartedly. I feel like it’s in great hands.
— Jim Harbaugh, via the Detroit News
Harbaugh leaves behind two unresolved NCAA investigations into the program, even though he continues to maintain his innocence. Moore stepped up and served as the head coach for four games during the 2023/24 season, including the final three games of the regular season.
Michigan defeated No. 10 Penn State and Ohio State during that stretch. Moore went 4-0.
As a result, the university will draw a lot of criticism if it chooses to go in any other direction. It doesn’t sound like that is even an option. The job listing remains active even though it is already closed.
Moore reportedly met with Wolverines brass on Thursday and has started to assemble his staff. Harbaugh made it abundantly clear that he expects his right-hand man to take over now that he is gone.
And yet, we must continue to wait. State law requires a grace period that is entirely unnecessary in this instance and it’s only delaying the inevitable.