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Michigan coaching search: UM policy could delay naming of Jim Harbaugh’s successor
By Andrew Olson
Published:
Michigan’s coaching search to replace Jim Harbaugh has a clear favorite. Even if Wolverine athletic director Warde Manuel is ready to make the hire, though, he may have to wait before making an announcement.
University of Michigan policy calls for any school position to be posted for a minimum of seven days. If Manuel were to announce a new head coach before seven days – whether promoting Sherrone Moore from offensive coordinator to head coach or making an outside hire – he would need a waiver.
On the potential timing of elevating Sherrone Moore, university policy requires that jobs be posted for a minimum of seven days, but departments can request a waiver based on “legitimate business needs.”https://t.co/yVNGiO9EJk.
— Austin Meek (@byAustinMeek) January 25, 2024
While Moore is widely reported to be the favorite for the job, the timeline is of concern to Michigan fans. Harbaugh’s departure to take the Los Angeles Chargers job has opened a 30-day NCAA transfer portal window for Wolverines players.
The 30-day portal windows have been in the national CFB spotlight recently. Nick Saban’s retirement started a domino effect that led to numerous Alabama, Washington and Arizona using the 30-day window to leave for the portal. Fans are understandably concerned that the longer a head coach is not named, the more likely Michigan players and signees are to look at their options elsewhere.
It will be interesting to see if Michigan has to give the coaching vacancy a full week or if a waiver will be granted to avoid a portal exodus. In his statement on Harbaugh’s departure, Manuel said, “We are working quickly to hire the next head coach for the program and will do everything possible to keep this current staff and team together.”
A former Florida beat reporter, Andrew writes for the Saturday Tradition News Desk.