Black football coaches at either the major college or pro level seldom face the challenges that confront Sherrone Moore. Moore, who was named head coach of the defending national champion Michigan Wolverines January 26, became the 21st person in school history to have that position. But he’s the first African American named head coach, and he’s taking the reins at the nation’s winningest program in college football history. It’s also one that won a very controversial title last season, a year that saw now former head coach (and new Los Angeles Chargers coach) Jim Harbaugh suspended twice, as well as the school embroiled in an alleged cheating scandal. They still face an NCAA investigation, but when the school’s Director of Athletics Warde Manuel made the announcement, Moore had nothing but good things to say about the program and his vision for the future.
“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 in a press conference held that day.. “I also want to thank Athletic Director Warde Manuel, President Santa Ono and members of the Board of Regents for putting their faith and trust in me to be the next leader of this football program. I am excited to reward that trust. 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 the University of Michigan for the past 144 years. Our standards will not change. We will be a tough, physical, disciplined, hungry, 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.”
“Sherrone has proven to be a great leader for our football program, especially the offensive line and players on the offensive side of the football,” Manuel. added “He is a dynamic, fierce and competitive individual who gets the best out of the players he mentors. The players love playing for him and being with him in the building every day. Sherrone stepped up this fall and served as the interim head coach when the program and especially the team needed him. 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.”
Moore has certainly paid his dues and bided his time. He was the Wolverines’ tight ends coach during his first three seasons (2018-20) and moved over to coach the offensive line the past three seasons (2021-23). He shared the co-offensive coordinator duties during the 2021 and 2022 Big Ten Championship seasons before taking over the sole responsibilities in 2023; Moore was also the only Power 5 offensive coordinator to also mentor the offensive line this past year.
Perhaps most importantly, Moore served as the team’s interim head coach for four games during the 2023 national championship season. He led the team to a 31-6 victory over Bowling Green (Sept. 16) in his first action as a head coach. Later in the season, he occupied that role a second time, winning two road games at Penn State and Maryland and the season finale against Ohio State to claim the Big Ten East Division Championship. Two of those late season victories came against top 10 teams, defeating the ninth-ranked Nittany Lions (24-15) and second-ranked Buckeyes (30-24).
Moore was a finalist for the 2023 Broyles Award, which is given annually to the nation’s outstanding assistant coach. As Michigan’s offensive coordinator in 2023, Moore directed a unit that ranked top 10 in seven offensive categories and was top 30 in 10 overall metrics. The Wolverines were 14th nationally in scoring offense (35.9 avg.), eighth in pass efficiency (165.77 rating), fourth in fewest tackles for loss allowed (3.2 avg.), third in completion percentage (72.0%) and tied for the NCAA lead with 40 rushing touchdowns. U-M prioritized ball security and delivered with the third fewest turnovers in college football (8), including the fifth fewest interceptions (5) and 10th fewest fumbles (3). All five offensive line starters earned All-Big Ten recognition each of Moore’s three seasons (2021-23) with six different players earning first-team recognition. Center Olusegun Oluwatimi became Michigan’s first-ever Outland Trophy winner and also received the Rimington Award as the nation’s best center.
The head coach at Michigan is always closely watched, and his decisions heavily scrutinized. Many have now forgotten that in his first few years Harbaugh was widely criticized for constantly losing to Ohio State and not reaching the College Football Playoffs. Despite losing his starting quarterback and some other key players, Moore will be expected to at minimum reach the expanded 12-team playoffs and compete once more for a national championship.
But with his past resume, Sherrone Moore seems more than capable of handling the pressure, and he becomes the newest Black coach in charge of a high profile Power 5 team.
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