Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh will have to wait bit longer to learn if he’ll be able to return to the Wolverine’s sideline before the end of the regular season.
After the Big Ten’s Friday suspension of Harbaugh, Michigan filed for a temporary restraining order that will reportedly not be heard until November 17 — the day before the Wolverines play Maryland in Week 12.
In the interim, the school has named offensive coordinator Sherrone Moore as acting head coach. That means Moore will be directing the Wolverines for Week 11’s matchup at Penn State and, potentially, the following two game days.
Here’s what you need to know about him.
#Michigan has released a statement from athletic director Warde Manuel about the Big Ten's decision to suspend Jim Harbaugh. pic.twitter.com/TMYj4XTLiI
— Michael Cohen (@Michael_Cohen13) November 11, 2023
Moore quickly rose through the Michigan coaching ranks
The 37-year-old was hired by Michigan in 2018 as the tight ends coach after holding the same position at prior stops with Louisville and Central Michigan.
By 2021, he was named co-offensive coordinator and offensive line coach. This is Moore’s first year as the sole offensive coordinator, but he’s already proven plenty.
Michigan leads the Big Ten in both yards per game (424.2) and points per game (40.7) yards per game through nine conference contests.
Moore has served as Michigan interim coach already this season
When Harbaugh served a school-imposed three-game suspension to begin the season, four different assistants were given the opportunity to take over as head coach on game day. Defensive coordinator Jesse Minter handled the season-opener against East Carolina, special teams coordinator Jay Harbaugh and running backs coach Mike Hart split duties for Week 2 against UNLV and Moore took care of things for all of Week 3 against Bowling Green.
Michigan won all three games, including a 31-6 victory against Bowling Green with Moore at the helm.
“He was real calm,” defensive tackle Cam Goode told reporters after the game, which Michigan led 14-6 at halftime.
“It was nothing like, ‘Get your [expletive] going’ or something crazy like that. Coach Moore, he’s a real relaxed guy. He doesn’t want to get the tempers up too much. He wants to keep us cool, calm, collected because he understands the assignment.”
Asked Sherrone Moore about becoming a HC one of these days: “Most coaches at some point in their life want to do that. When the time comes, the time comes, but I’m in no rush to leave this place, this great university, these students and coach Harbaugh."
— angelique (@chengelis) December 27, 2022
He played offensive line at Oklahoma for Bob Stoops
From 2006-07, Moore appeared in 14 games for Bob Stoops’ Sooners at arguably the height of their power after transferring from Butler County Community College.
Oklahoma won the Big 12 in both years the Kansas native was on the team, but lost the Fiesta Bowl after each of those triumphant regular season campaigns.
