Here's a look at the Michigan search in two parts: Moore and the field.
Sherrone Moore
First, a bit of background. Harbaugh made several flashy or notable hires during his Michigan tenure, but Moore was not one of them. He came to Michigan after the 2017 season from Central Michigan to coach tight ends. In 2021, Moore took over the offensive line room and began showing his incredible potential. The Wolverines won consecutive Joe Moore awards as the nation's top line. Moore initially shared coordinator duties with Matt Weiss, but became the sole playcaller after Weiss' firing in January 2023. He quickly blossomed as a playcaller and was placed in the spotlight as acting head coach when Michigan learned of the Big Ten's suspension for Harbaugh while en route to Penn State. Moore guided Michigan to an emotionally charged win at Beaver Stadium and then victories against Maryland and Ohio State. His scheme was effective during the CFP in wins over Alabama and Washington.
Moore, 37, is undoubtedly a rising star in coaching and will be in demand to lead his program. But he would be a first-time head coach who had never held a coordinator title before 2021. Michigan had success the last time it promoted an assistant, Lloyd Carr in 1995, but Carr was much older than Moore. Still, Moore would be a popular hire with the players and fans, not to mention Harbaugh, who has provided his full blessing. He would be the first Black head football coach in Michigan history, a significant and overdue appointment. Michigan probably doesn't know whether Moore has any direct involvement in the ongoing NCAA investigations, which could impact his chances. The school ultimately could want a candidate with more experience, as the roster will go through significant turnover this offseason. But Moore would be a well-received hire whose popularity with the players and understanding of the program gives Michigan a chance to maintain a positive trajectory. Also, given the timing of Harbaugh's departure, Michigan hiring Moore would be the most efficient option to prevent disruption.
The field
LSU coach Brian Kelly: For weeks, rumors have circulated about Kelly having genuine interest in Michigan. A move might make sense for Kelly, who spent almost all of his career in the Midwest, including stops in Michigan at Grand Valley State, where he won two Division II national titles, and Central Michigan, which he guided to a MAC title in 2006. Kelly has won everywhere he has been, taking Notre Dame to the BCS national title game and two CFP appearances, and guiding Cincinnati to two Big East titles. He led LSU to a surprise SEC West championship in his first year and recorded consecutive 10-win seasons. But Kelly might not sit well with the Michigan base, given his ties to rival Notre Dame and some struggles in national showcase games. Is the 62-year-old truly best equipped to maintain the momentum at Michigan? If he left LSU, he would be the first Tigers coach not to win a national title since Gerry DiNardo, who was fired during the 1999 season.
Kansas coach Lance Leipold: Kansas is rightfully doing everything it can to keep Leipold in place for the remainder of his career, which certainly could work. But if Leipold, 59, has one big move in him, it could be to a place like Michigan, which would need to pay a significant buyout. He has done masterful work at different programs around the sport, from helping his alma mater Wisconsin-Whitewater become a Division III power -- six national titles between 2007 and 2014 -- to elevating Buffalo to turning around the worst Power 5 program at Kansas. Since 2020, Leipold has had teams at Kansas and Buffalo finish in the final AP Top 25. The Wisconsin native served as a graduate assistant for Barry Alvarez at Wisconsin from 1991 to 1993 and is familiar with the Big Ten, despite not spending much time in the league. A move to Michigan would bring some larger-scale luxuries and challenges, but Leipold understands the schematic and roster construction pieces needed to succeed anywhere.
Kansas State coach Chris Klieman: Like Leipold, Klieman is very comfortable and taken care of at his Big 12 job in the Sunflower State. He led Kansas State to a Big 12 championship in 2022 and has won eight or more games in four of five seasons, while recording consecutive AP Top-20 finishes in 2022 and 2023. Klieman, 56, has a championship pedigree from North Dakota State, where he won four FCS national titles in five seasons. The Iowa native has spent his entire career in the Midwest, although never in the Big Ten. Klieman embraces a physical style built around elite line of scrimmage play that would resonate at Michigan. He's also excellent in player development and could benefit from Michigan's ability to attract higher-level personnel.
Missouri coach Eliah Drinkwitz: The 2023 SEC Coach of the Year likely will be on wish lists for notable jobs in the coming years, and Michigan could get a jump on hiring him. Drinkwitz, 40, guided Missouri to 11 wins and a Cotton Bowl championship against Ohio State. He has won 11 or more games twice in his five seasons as a head coach and would bring an innovative approach to both schemes and recruiting to Ann Arbor. The Arkansas native has never worked in the Big Ten but Missouri isn't far away from the league's footprint, and he can adapt. Drinkwitz has developed several notable quarterbacks as an assistant and a head coach and boasts a 40-22 overall record at Appalachian State and Missouri.
Iowa State coach Matt Campbell: Michigan always has been on the short list of jobs for which Campbell would leave Iowa State. His profile isn't as high as it was after the 2020 season, when Iowa State finished No. 9 nationally and won the Fiesta Bowl, and USC and Oklahoma seemed interested. But Campbell recently generated some interest from Washington and has an overall résumé that merits examination. He has guided ISU to bowls in six of the past seven seasons and has only two losing campaigns out of eight years at one of the tougher Power 5 jobs. Campbell, 44, is an Ohio native who spent most of his career in his home state, rising to become Toledo's coach and going 35-15 there. If Michigan wants a veteran head coach with roots in the region, it should reach out to Campbell.
Baltimore Ravens coordinators Todd Monken (offense) and Mike Macdonald (defense): The connections between Michigan and the Ravens, coached by John Harbaugh, have surfaced throughout Jim Harbaugh's tenure, and could continue even after Jim's departure. Monken and especially Macdonald have positioned themselves for NFL head-coaching consideration, especially with the Ravens poised for a deep playoff run. A return to college might not even interest them, but this is Michigan. Monken, 57, is a former college coach at Southern Miss who has been an assistant at Oklahoma State, LSU and Georgia, which he helped to consecutive national titles as offensive coordinator. Macdonald, 36, spent the 2021 season as Michigan's defensive coordinator and helped the team to a Big Ten title and its first CFP appearance.