The defending champion and ninth-ranked Michigan Wolverines will have a new coach on the sidelines this season, ushering in a new era after Jim Harbaugh returned to the NFL to lead the Los Angeles Chargers.
Sherrone Moore gained some experience in the role in 2023, filling in for Harbaugh four times while he was serving suspensions early in the year and again at the end of the regular season.
“I think that makes the transition a lot easier,” Wolverines defensive tackle Mason Graham said. “He’s been here for a lot of years and everyone around the facility and the university feels very comfortable with him being there and taking the reins. I feel like that’s what everyone wanted. It’s been great so far.”
Like Harbaugh, Moore will lead a team with potential sanctions hanging over the program due to an NCAA investigation into an alleged sign-stealing and scouting operation.
These Wolverines, like last season’s team, will say their focus is on the field and begin the defense of their national title Saturday night at home against Fresno State.
“It’s a tough position to take on, after everything Coach Harbaugh has accomplished,” Michigan defensive end TJ Guy said. “I think (Moore) has done a great job. He’s kept things pretty similar for us, nothing too different.”
The Bulldogs are also bringing in a familiar new coach.
Tim Skipper was named interim coach in July, shortly before training camp, after Jeff Tedford stepped down for health reasons following a hot streak. Tedford had 44 wins, including four in bowl games, and a pair of Mountain West Conference championships. The Bulldogs finished in the AP Top 25 twice during his tenure.
Skipper’s father, Jim, was a long-time NFL assistant coach and isn’t bringing his team to the Big House just to show up.
“I never think about losing,” he said. “We breathe the same air. Why not go out and try to win?”
Fresno State may not have a lot of upside, but it does have more experience at the quarterback position.
Mikey Keene threw for nearly 3,000 yards with 24 touchdowns and 10 interceptions in 11 starts last season. In a season-opening win at Big Ten member Purdue, he threw for 366 yards with four scores and was intercepted once.
Meanwhile, Michigan plans to turn to Alex Orji or Davis Warren to replace JJ McCarthy. Both could potentially play against Fresno and one could emerge as a starter for next week’s home matchup with No. 4 Texas.
Orji played in six games and had 86 yards with a touchdown on 15 carries last season, but he didn’t throw a pass. Warren was 0-for-5 last year and 5-for-9 passing for 89 yards in 2022.
Michigan had six offensive linemen from last season’s team in NFL camps this summer, opening up five jobs to protect a new quarterback and clearing holes for a running game with Donovan Edwards.
“We don’t need five players to play, we need 10,” guard Gio El-Hadi said. “We all have to be ready when we’re called upon because there are people who are going to get injured. That’s football.”
The Wolverines lost a lot from their first national championship team, but three players are highly regarded enough to make The Associated Press preseason All-America team: Graham, cornerback Will Johnson and tight end Colston Loveland.
Johnson might get a chance to do more than cover receivers and return punts, as Heisman Trophy winner Charles Woodson did nearly three decades ago for the Wolverines when they won their last national title. Moore hinted earlier this summer that Johnson could play on both sides of the ball.
“I’ve definitely been getting more comfortable with it,” Johnson said.
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