Donovan Edwards: Sherrone Moore is 'absolutely no different' as head coach than as coordinator

Since he arrived on campus as a freshman in 2021, Donovan Edwards saw Sherrone Moore grow as a coordinator. Moore took over as Michigan’s co-offensive coordinator that year after three years working with tight ends, and his emergence as a rising star led him to serve four games as acting head coach in 2023.

Now the full-time head coach after Jim Harbaugh’s departure for the NFL, Moore is leaving his mark on the program. But when it comes to working with the players, Edwards sees the same person he saw the last three years.

Of course, that doesn’t mean Moore is acting the same way Harbaugh did. He’s still focusing on the task at hand. But when it comes to the relationships with the players, Edwards said it’s been a seamless transition.

“He’s been absolutely no different than what he was an offensive coordinator,” Edwards told SiriusXM College at Big Ten Media Days. “He’s always been a players’ coach kind of guy, and he’s always listening to all his players and what their opinions are and doing what is the absolute best for the team. Not for the individuals, for the team. That’s the kind of guy he is.

“It’s a different personality from Coach Harbaugh to Coach Moore, but the business aspect of it has been the exact same thing. Ultimately, we’re proud that Coach Moore’s our head coach, and we’re gonna ride and die with him.”

‘Everybody in the program’ respects Sherrone Moore

Sherrone Moore got quite the audition, for all intents and purposes, in 2023. He had a perfect 4-0 as the acting head coach – a win over Bowling Green early in the year, and three straight conference wins over Penn State, Maryland and Ohio State to end the regular season. Those wins were part of an impressive 15-0 run and Michigan’s first national title since 1997.

When it’s time to work, though, Donovan Edwards said it’s all business from the new head coach. Moore knows when to have fun even while getting ready for what’s next, but it’s important for the players to dial in and keep their eye on the ball, too.

But as he gets ready for his first full-time coaching opportunity, Edwards said there’s unanimous support for Moore. That’s why the Wolverines are ready to go into battle with him.

“Coach Moore is a very serious guy,” Edwards said. “When it’s time to lock in, you have to lock in, you need to lock in. When it’s time to joke around and just be a little bit unserious, but also be serious at the same time, he’s all for it. But you just have to know when to lock in and know when he’s serious.

“Everybody in the program and on the team respects him. So that’s not a doubt that he’s our leader and he’s our guy who’s gonna lead us to victory every single game.”