Michigan shouldn't even be tempted by Jon Gruden even if it means saving Bryce Underwood

The Michigan Wolverines are certainly late to the party to find a new head coach and replace Sherrone Moore, but they should still never get desperate enough to even seriously consider coaching castaway Jon Gruden.

Gruden's name has popped up on a few hot boards to be Michigan's new coach, and that noise got even louder when known booster and Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy listed Gruden at the top of his short list of coaching candidates. However, even if it's a beneficial option for Portnoy, it's not even logical for the Wolverines.

Dave Portnoy suggests Jon Gruden as candidate to be Wolverines' next head coach

Other potential targets have included Alabama's Kalen DeBoer, Arizona State's Kenny Dillingham and Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady. All would be potential home-run hires and are at least successful coaches right now.

Of course, though, Portnoy would want Gruden to lead Michigan. Gruden currently works for Portnoy at Barstool Sports, so as Gruden's former boss, Portnoy would have unprecedented access and pull. The only possible benefit, which is still a massive maybe, is that Portnoy could pony up enough money (again) for Gruden to make sure to keep quarterback Bryce Underwood in Ann Arbor and build a roster around him to compete. No matter the money and talent, though, things would still crash from the top. Michigan fans also don't want Portnoy pulling all the strings like Gruden would allow.

Gruden hasn't coached at all since he was fired from the Las Vegas Raiders in 2023. He hasn't coached at the college level since he was a wide receivers coach at Pittsburgh in 1991, over three decades ago. He's never had a head coaching job in college football, or even been an offensive coordinator.

No matter how slim the pickings are, this is still Michigan. The Wolverines don't stoop to hiring a first-time college head coach or an NFL coaching castaway that's resorted to making podcasts.