This isn’t the same treatment we’ve seen other first-year head coaches get when they’ve had some interim experience.
When Ryan Day took over Ohio State and Marcus Freeman took over Notre Dame, most of the national media treated both taking over their first jobs as a coronation. But for new Michigan football head coach Sherrone Moore, the same luxury is not afforded.
Despite having beaten two top-10 teams, including undefeated Ohio State, in 2023, the once-interim Wolverines coach has shown he has the in-game prowess to win huge games. Yet, CBS Sports’ Tom Fornelli has Moore near the bottom of his Big Ten coach power rankings entering the 2024 season.
15. Michigan
Sherrone Moore (52 overall): Moore is only ranked this low due to the lack of overall experience as a head coach. That said, he already has wins over Ohio State and Penn State on his resume, and there aren’t many coaches ranked above him who can say the same! This is a fascinating spot for Moore because, on the one hand, it will not be easy to step out of Jim Harbaugh’s considerable shadow, but he’s also inheriting a team that won a national title. Sure, some key players are gone, but a lot of significant pieces are back, too. Oh, and everybody seems to be writing off the Wolverines. We’ve never seen a team rally around the disrespect angle before, right?! Last year: N/A in Big Ten
To be fair, in the same column in 2019, Fornelli had Ryan Day ranked No. 10 out of 14 teams, so he is consistent. But even Day didn’t have the big wins that Moore has, and that should count for something. Also in fairness, every other head coach on the list ahead of Moore has experience, even if it’s outside the Big Ten. Yet, there’s no telling if a Jonathan Smith or a Curt Cignetti will manage to acclimate well to the conference as it has a different burden of style than many others across college football.
Additionally, if Jim Harbaugh was still the head coach of the team, he would, no doubt, be No. 1.
But still, Moore has head-to-head wins over the No. 1 coach (Ryan Day),. No. 4 (James Franklin), and No. 13 (Mike Locksley).