Sherrone Moore on Michigan defensive coordinator search: 'We've got a few names'

New Michigan Wolverines football head coach Sherrone Moore is a busy man. While in the car on a recruiting trip less than a week into taking over the program, he spent several minutes on ESPN with the Pat McAfee Show to discuss what’s ahead. Moore has been on the road all week, same with returning assistant coaches, and he still has to fill out his staff.

Perhaps the biggest hire Moore will have to make on his coaching staff is the defensive coordinator position that’s now vacant after Jesse Minter is set to move on, reportedly to the Los Angeles Chargers with Jim Harbaugh.

“We haven’t replaced the defensive coordinator yet,” Moore said. “We’ve got a few names and people in the boat to do that, and we’ve got a great staff, we’ve got great people here on the staff that we’re trying to keep, we’re going to try to retain. So, the staff is starting to shape out bit by bit every day. And I think by next week or so, we’ll have that in place.”

Moore said during his Michigan introductory press conference that he will likely no longer call plays, after previously serving as offensive coordinator and line coach. Grant Newsome has been promoted from tight ends to offensive line, while quarterbacks coach Kirk Campbell and others are believed to be possibilities as offensive coordinator.

“As a play caller, I’ve thought about but going back and forth as far as the play calling piece, [but] we’ll appoint an O.C. here soon and we’ll talk about that,” Moore said.

McAfee and his co-hosts, who were on the field for Michigan’s 27-20 overtime victory over Alabama in the Rose Bowl and 34-13 win over Washington in the national championship game lauded the Wolverines’ offensive system and play calling. Moore said he learned about that process and grew over a long period of time.

“Developing as a play caller, that’s taken a long time,” Moore said. “It hasn’t just been this year; it’s been years and years that I’ve gotten to sit alongside some really good play callers. Shawn Watson when we were at Louisville with [quarterback] Teddy Bridgewater. Being around Kevin Wilson when he was at Oklahoma with [quarterback] Sam Bradford as a player. Being around Morris Watts when I was at Central Michigan, somebody that’s been in the game a long time. And then Josh Gattis here, Pep Hamilton here, Coach Harbaugh. It’s been something that I’ve been able to develop my own style.

“And we have a phenomenal staff, so it hasn’t just been me; I’m just the one that pushes the go button on game day, but we’ve developed a great plan, and it’s really all about our players and what they can do. We’ve got really smart players, so we can do a lot and make it look like a lot, and sometimes it’s not a lot. Our kids believe in the plan and go attack our plan full throttle.”

Michigan quickly replaced director of strength and conditioning and associate head coach Ben Herbert, after he announced he will be heading to the Chargers. Justin Tress has been promoted after being Herbert’s right hand man at Michigan.

“Any time you lose somebody that’s been with you … I mean, he’s been there since I’ve been there, for six years, so he definitely put his footprints and handprints on the program,” Moore explained. “It’s going to be a loss, but we think that the guy that we elevated, Justin Tress, is going to be an unbelievable job.

“He’s been with him side by side the whole time. He had stints there, he had stints at Alabama. So, he’s seen top-notch strength coaches in his time, so we’re really excited about Justin Tress and the opportunity for him to lead the strength program.

“Those guys are awesome. That whole group he has, they all wear black, they all travel together. If you see one of them, you see all five of them. We’re excited about the future with those guys.”

Moore and the Michigan staff are currently recruiting and set to hold a junior day in Ann Arbor this weekend, before the quiet period and dead period begin.