Zak Zinter calls for Sherrone Moore to be Michigan's next head coach

On Wednesday, Jim Harbaugh and the Los Angeles Chargers made it official, agreeing to terms for the Michigan Wolverines national championship-winning head coach to become the next head coach of their franchise. But with Harbaugh’s departure to the NFL, the question now becomes who will lead Michigan on its quest to defend its 2023 national championship title?

Arguably, one of the most influential players in Michigan’s title run, offensive lineman Zak Zinter, has the answer to that question.

Shortly after the Chargers announced the hiring of Harbaugh, Zinter took to social media to champion offensive coordinator Sherrone Moore as the Michigan Wolverines’ next head coach. And according to the former Wolverines star, there’s no need for The program to conduct any interviews.

Plenty of college football experts echo the sentiments laid out by Zinter. However, only time will tell if Michigan believes Moore is the right man for the job or if they will look elsewhere and pry away another program’s highly touted head coach like Alabama did when Nick Saban retired. If they do decide to go that route, college football fans can surely expect another wild period of NCAA Transfer Portal action.

Harbaugh off to NFL opens 30-day transfer portal for Michigan players

Jim Harbaugh achieved everything he wanted to as a head coach at his alma mater. Three consecutive wins over Ohio State. Three Big Ten championships. And to cap it off, leading Michigan to a national championship in the College Football Playoff earlier this month.

Now he is off to the NFL, accepting the job with the Los Angeles Chargers. The past few offseasons, the Wolverines quarterback turned coach has interviewed and shopped himself for jobs in the professional ranks.

There are no hurt feelings in Ann Arbor. Harbaugh checked off everything on the to-do list. Now he will go fulfill the last check mark on his bucket list: a Lombardi Trophy.

But leaving the program at the end of January doesn’t do Michigan any favors. Athletic director Warde Manuel will have to move quickly to install a new coach. Many believe the smart decision would be to elevate offensive coordinator Sherrone Moore, who served as acting head coach for four games this season in the wake of NCAA investigations.

The transfer portal will now open for 30 days for Michigan athletes, allowing time to decide on their future with Harbaugh leaving his alma mater, according to NCAA guidelines. With the one-time transfer rule, athletes can play immediately at new schools.

Classes started at Michigan in early January and the add-drop deadline is set for Jan. 30. Athletes who choose to enter the portal will have to move quickly. Plus, the NCAA sent guidance to institutions in December that multi-time transfers who enter the transfer portal this fall and winter will be eligible to play at a new school in the 2024-25 academic year without securing a waiver.