Sherrone Moore, Warde Manuel comment on promotion to Michigan head coach

Just two days after Jim Harbaugh left Michigan to take over as Los Angeles Chargers head coach, the Wolverines named his replacement. As expected, Sherrone Moore is taking over the role, and UM made the hire official in a Friday night press release.

Moore and Warde Manuel both made their first public comments about the promotion in Michigan’s announcement. Moore spent the last three seasons on staff as co-offensive coordinator and offensive coordinator, along with offensive line coach. For four games in 2023, though, he also served as acting head coach while Harbaugh served two suspensions.

Now, he is getting his shot as a head coach.

“I want to thank Coach Harbaugh for the faith that he has displayed in me over the past six years and for supporting my growth as a football coach during that time,” Moore said. “Thanks to Athletic Director Warde Manuel for putting his faith and trust in me to be the next leader of this football program. I also want to thank President Santa Ono and members of the Board of Regents for believing in me as well. I am excited to reward that belief and trust as the program’s next leader.

“I have been preparing my entire coaching career for this opportunity and I can’t think of a better place to be head coach than at the University of Michigan,” added Moore. “We will do everything each day as a TEAM to continue the legacy of championship football that has been played at Michigan for the past 144 years. Our standards will not change. We will be a smart, tough, dependable, relentless, and enthusiastic championship-level team that loves football and plays with passion for the game, the winged helmet and each other. We will also continue to achieve excellence off the field, in the classroom and in our communities. I am excited to start working in this new role with our players, coaches and staff.”

Manuel pointed out Moore’s success as acting head coach this year when discussing the decision. Michigan went 4-0 record while he was filling Harbaugh’s shoes, including a victory over rival Ohio State to end the regular season en route to a national championship.

“Sherrone stepped up this fall and served as the interim head coach when the program and especially the team needed him,” Manuel said of Moore. “Sherrone handled that situation in a way that sealed my already-growing confidence in him. He didn’t make it about him, it was always about the team! We are thrilled to have Sherrone and his wife, Kelli, and the entire Moore family step into this new role for our football program and university community.”