Everything felt like it was finally clicking.
Michigan had just beaten Ohio State—again. They had a generational quarterback prospect in Bryce Underwood. The "Harbaugh Hangover" seemed like a myth because Sherrone Moore was supposed to be the hand-picked heir who kept the machine running.
Then December 10, 2025, happened.
The news that the University of Michigan football team fired Moore "for cause" sent a shockwave through Ann Arbor that honestly makes the Connor Stalions saga look like a minor HR dispute. We’re talking about a coach who had just finished a 9-3 regular season and looked like he was steadying a very young ship. But as it turns out, the drama off the field was way more complicated than anyone realized.
What Really Happened with Sherrone Moore?
Look, the 2025 season was a weird one. Michigan was the youngest team in the Big Ten. They were starting six freshmen on offense at one point. They beat the teams they were supposed to beat, but they got handled by the heavyweights like Oklahoma and USC.
But the firing wasn't about the 13-10 win over Ohio State or the 9-4 final record. It was the "inappropriate relationship" with a staff member that gave the university the legal ground to move on. When you combine that with the lingering NCAA clouds and the two-year show-cause order Moore was already carrying, the administration basically decided they couldn't afford the headache anymore.
It’s kinda wild when you think about it. Moore was the first African American head coach in the program's history. He was the guy who sat in the big chair during those critical games in 2023 when Jim Harbaugh was suspended. He was a hero. And then, just like that, he was out before his second full year was even officially over.
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The Kyle Whittingham Era Starts Now
If you’re a Michigan fan, the hire of Kyle Whittingham on December 26, 2025, is probably the most "adult" move the athletic department has made in a decade.
Whittingham is the antithesis of the recent Michigan chaos. He spent 20 years at Utah. He’s stable, he’s a defensive mastermind, and he doesn't have an "advanced scouting" department following him around.
But he’s walking into a fascinating situation. He inherited a roster with a massive amount of talent but almost zero experience. He’s already started making moves that make you wonder what Moore was doing behind the scenes. For example, Whittingham recently pointed out on a podcast that Michigan—despite having an eight-figure NIL investment in Bryce Underwood—didn't even have a dedicated, full-time quarterback coach in 2025.
That’s basically malpractice when you're trying to develop a 17-year-old phenom. Whittingham is changing that. He brought in Jason Beck as the new offensive coordinator to actually give Underwood the structure he needs.
The 2026 Roster: Who's Staying and Who's Going?
Roster retention is the name of the game in 2026. Whittingham’s first big win wasn't on the field; it was convincing wide receiver Andrew Marsh to stay in Ann Arbor. Marsh was electric last year, leading the Big Ten in receiving yards for a huge chunk of the season.
The transfer portal has been busy, too. Michigan is leaning into the "Utah North" vibe by bringing in guys like:
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- Smith Snowden, a savvy cornerback from Utah who actually knows Whittingham’s system.
- Jonah Lea’ea, a 285-pound defensive tackle who adds much-needed bulk to the interior.
- Max Alford, a linebacker coming over from BYU who should help fill the gap left by departing seniors.
The defensive side of the ball still looks solid. You've got guys like Derrick Moore and Ernest Hausmann returning, and the secondary features young stars like Jayden Sanders and Elijah Dotson who got a lot of "trial by fire" snaps last fall.
The Bryce Underwood Factor
Can we talk about the elephant in the room? Bryce Underwood.
He didn't exactly light the world on fire as a true freshman. 2,229 passing yards and 11 touchdowns isn't "No. 1 overall prospect" territory. He struggled with interceptions, especially in that late-season game against Northwestern.
But you have to look at the context. He was 17 for half the season. He was playing behind a revolving door of an offensive line because of injuries to guys like Giovanni El-Hadi. Honestly, the fact that he stayed upright is a miracle.
The 2026 season is going to be the real test. With a full offseason under Jason Beck and a coaching staff that actually prioritizes his development, we’ll see if the "generational" label was accurate. If Underwood takes the leap, Michigan is a playoff team. If he doesn't, it’s going to be a long year in the new-look Big Ten.
NCAA Sanctions: The Bill Has Come Due
We can't ignore the NCAA. The University of Michigan football team is currently sitting in a four-year probation period.
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The school finally stopped fighting the "sign-stealing" findings in late 2025. They’ve accepted the fines (10% of the football budget), the recruiting restrictions, and the loss of postseason revenue. The good news? There is no postseason ban for the players.
However, Whittingham starts his tenure with a bit of a handicap. He’ll be missing his head coach for the 2026 opener against Western Michigan because the NCAA added an extra game to the suspension Moore was supposed to serve. It's a lingering sting from a previous era, but at least the uncertainty is mostly gone.
What Most People Get Wrong About This Team
Everyone wants to say Michigan is "back to being mediocre" now that Harbaugh is gone. That’s a lazy take.
They went 9-4 in a "bridge year" with the youngest roster in the conference and a coach who was distracted by off-field issues. They still beat Ohio State. They still beat Michigan State.
The foundation is actually terrifyingly strong. If Whittingham can just bring 10% more discipline and organization to the building, this team is going to be a nightmare for the rest of the Big Ten. They aren't rebuilding; they're recalibrating.
Actionable Steps for 2026
If you're following the Wolverines this year, here is what you need to watch:
- Monitor the O-Line Health: The 2025 season fell apart because the veteran blockers went down. Watch the spring camp reports for Andrew Sprague and Ty Haywood.
- Check the QB Coaching: Watch Underwood’s mechanics in the early games. Is he still "throwing rockets" every play, or has he developed the touch Whittingham is looking for?
- The September Schedule: Michigan doesn't have the luxury of a slow start. They need to find an identity before the conference slate gets heavy.
The Sherrone Moore era was a wild, short, and successful-ish ride, but it was never stable. For the first time in years, the University of Michigan football team has a coach who isn't a headline for the wrong reasons. That alone might be enough to get them back to the College Football Playoff.