It has only been a few days since Sherrone Moore was fired as Michigan football head coach, yet already, the Wolverines have turned their attention to his replacement.
There has been a lot of buzz, as well as a lot of reported candidates. Don't believe everything that you read. Plenty of coaches want the Michigan football job.
It's still a top-five job. College football analysts have said that. The Wolverines won the national title two years ago, and they have the resources to compete for another.
Michigan has a talented roster and just signed a talented recruiting class. Some of them have departed already, so a hire needs to get made as soon as possible. Once that happens, the coach can recruit the roster, including Bryce Underwood to stay at U-M.
With that in mind, here is an updated power ranking of candidates as of Saturday morning.
3. Jedd Fisch, Washington
Michigan football fans might not be super excited at the prospect of hiring Jedd Fisch. Yet, he's got the endorsement of Jake Butt, who played for Fisch.
Fisch has worked under Jim Harbaugh, Nick Saban, and Bill Belichick. He's had success at Arizona and Washington. The Washington Huskies roster was basically non-existent after the transfer portal and NFL departures, and he had them playing well this season.
Fisch has done great work with quarterbacks, too. He doesn't feel like the No. 1 choice. But he feels solidly in the top three.
If Fisch is the hire, Michigan could do much worse.
2. Kalen DeBoer, Alabama
DeBoer might be the preferred candidate of the University of Michigan football, as well as that of the Michigan football fanbase.
However, the one big hangup with DeBoer is that he works for Alabama. Has another program ever hired away an Alabama football coach? At least since Alabama became Alabama.
I don't remember it ever happening. Anything is possible in this era, and it shouldn't surprise anyone that DeBoer is interested in Michigan. If Jim Harbaugh hadn't taken so long to leave, he might have been the head coach instead of Sherrone Moore.
DeBoer was at Washington then. He's now at Alabama. Maybe if the Tide lose next week, that could create a scenario where he could leave, but if they win, it's out the door.
Frankly, it feels like it might be a waste of time. Michigan shouldn't wait 2-3 weeks to pursue him. Try to get an answer, and it feels like he isn't interested, the Wolverines would be better served to move on.
The last thing this program can afford to do is not hire a head coach by January 1. That needs to be the cutoff.
1. Kenny Dillingham, Arizona State
There is definite buzz about Kenny Dillingham. Noted Michigan insider John U. Bacon said that Dillingham was the "early favorite." This morning he said, "Nobody knows anything."
Until there is final news too much can change, so I'm going back to my old standby: Nobody Knows Anything.
— John U. Bacon (@Johnubacon) December 13, 2025
The betting markets have made Dillingham the favorite, but again, that doesn't mean much. One hint from DeBoer that he wants the job could be the ballgame.
It sounds like interviews will be happening soon if they haven't already. Dillingham has won a conference championship at Arizona State. He's a QB guru, has elite recruiting potential, and has two eight-win seasons, plus he loves to run the ball, but still has had elite QB play.
My feeling is that Dillingham would be able to convince Bryce Underwood to stay. If Underwood stays, my prediction is that most others will, too. So there's no need to dawdle.
Any name on this list would be a quality hire. DeBoer is the most proven. Dillingham might have the most upside, and Fisch is basically Dillingham with a higher floor but a lower ceiling.
One of these three will be the next head coach of Michigan football. Don't be shocked if by next weekend, we know who it is.