Does Michigan football turn to Sherrone Moore if Jim Harbaugh leaves for NFL?

It's starting to look more and more like Jim Harbaugh is going to leave Michigan football for the NFL. We have gone through this dance before, with the Vikings in 2021.

But this time, the Chargers are knocking on the door and after Jim Harbaugh is reportedly going to take a second interview with Los Angeles, it's time to think about what's next for Michigan football.

The sentiment has been that the Wolverines will go with Sherrone Moore, who was the interim head coach for four games this past fall and won all four, including wins over Penn State and Ohio State.

There are some that might be wary of hiring Moore. He doesn't have any head-coaching experience beyond this season. Brian Kelly is a name that's been mentioned by some in the national media. Lance Leipold is another. Honestly, Jedd Fisch might have been a candidate too.

However, Sherrone Moore should be hired by Michigan football minutes after Harbaugh leaves for the NFL and here's why.

Sherrone Moore is the only move for Michigan football

I understand wanting to look for a big-name coach or whatever. But, for one, there aren't really any available. And two, if you do that, you risk the mass exodus that Alabama and Washington have suffered in the transfer portal.

Do Michigan football fans want guys like Will Johnson and Donovan Edwards to enter the transfer portal? I don't think so and hiring Moore is the best way to prevent that from happening. It's also the best way to keep building on the culture Jim Harbaugh has constructed.

Moore has been the offensive line coach as well as the offensive coordinator and that offensive line has been the strength of the team. He's a great play-caller and his leadership skills were on display when Harbaugh was suspended and he passed that test with flying colors. He's also been very effective as a recruiter.

If Moore stays, maybe Michigan football can keep Ben Herbert and most of the other assistant coaches. It's a risk yes, but the Wolverines should have an elite defense, a really good offensive line, and if they can find a quarterback or develop one from within, a playoff berth is well within reach even with a murder's row of a schedule in 2024.

But that only happens if Moore is the head coach. If it's someone else, it's probably a total reboot and in the process, the Wolverines would lose one of the game's rising stars. Sherrone Moore will be a head coach sooner rather than later, and if Jim Harbaugh does decide to chase his dream of winning a Super Bowl, hiring him is the only choice Michigan football can make.