I KNOW a significant portion of the team wanted Sherrone Moore to be named Michigan’s football coach. The appreciation for the program’s culture and Moore’s ability to carry it on is palpable. That was one of the major factors Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel cited during Moore’s introductory press conference.
I THINK the presence of several current coaches was significant. Kirk Campbell, Ron Bellamy, Jay Harbaugh, Grant Newsome, and Mike Elston were all present to show their support. Campbell and Bellamy are strong bets to remain in the fold in Ann Arbor. Harbaugh is widely expected to head west with his dad (though I don’t expect Moore to just concede that). Newsome and Elston are the tougher calls. Harbaugh was set to take Newsome with him to the Minnesota Vikings had he gotten that job a couple of years ago, and word inside the program is both Harbaugh and Jesse Minter both love Elston, so those battles are two of the more obvious staffing battles between Michigan and its former coach. That said, I’m still hearing optimism from Michigan sources about their ability to win in the end.
I KNOW Moore was happy to see strength coach Ben Herbert at the presser. Moore later told reporters he was “very” encouraged he could keep Herbert in the fold. That echoes the sentiments shared by several program sources the last couple of days. But it’d be a mistake to think Harbaugh’s efforts to lure Herbert away won’t intensify. This one isn’t over until Herbert gives a firm “I’m staying.”
I THINK Donovan Edwards being among the player contingent was noteworthy. There was only a smattering of players at the introductory presser because Moore had already met with the team, but No. 7 made his way over anyway. He knows that as a senior and one of the team’s best players he will be counted on to be more of a leader this year. His presence today was an early sign that he is embracing that role.
I KNOW that former Seattle Seahawks defensive coordinator Clint Hurtt is among the names to watch for Michigan’s next defensive coordinator. His last college coaching job was as a defensive line coach at Louisville when he was on Charlie Strong’s staff with Moore.
I THINK Moore acing every big challenge in his coaching career up to this point helped prepare him for this one –
- Making the jump from Central Michigan to Michigan in 2018
- Scoring one the biggest recruiting victories of the Harbaugh era when he flipped Dax Hill back from Alabama.
- Making the jump from tight ends to offensive line when many questioned why Harbaugh would move on from an experienced offensive line coach like Ed Warriner, to one who had never coached the position.
- Serving as head coach for four games, including the last three against Penn state (when he found out 90 minutes before kickoff that Harbaugh wouldn’t be coaching), Maryland (when JJ McCarthy could hardly put weight on his plant leg), and the season finale versus Ohio State.
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