The Michigan Wolverines are pulling out all the stops in their search for a new head coach after firing Sherrone Moore last week after it was revealed he had an inappropriate relationship with a staffer.
According to a new report from On3’s Pete Nakos, athletic director Warde Manuel, who was not fired after the Moore scandal broke, has made it clear money is no object in the school’s quest to find its new leader.
Nakos reported on Monday that Michigan has keyed in on five high-profile candidates — two of which are rumored to be singing new extensions soon, and one, Missouri’s Eli Drinkwitz, already has.
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Luring Drinkwitz away from the SEC would be a big win for a program looking to do damage control after a major scandal, and landing a high-profile head coach would likely go a long way toward keeping five-star quarterback Bryce Underwood from entering the transfer portal.
“Speaking with sources, the other five names that continue to come up the most are Louisville’s Jeff Brohm, Arizona State’s Kenny Dillingham, Missouri’s Eli Drinkwitz, Washington’s Jedd Fisch and Los Angeles Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter,” Nakos stated.
“Sources have told On3 that Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel has made clear he is willing to open up the checkbook to land the top hire. That includes buying out coaches’ contracts to lure candidates to Ann Arbor.”
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Drinkwitz, who led Missouri to and 8-4 record this season and is 46-28 in six years with the Tigers, signed a 10-year, $64.5 million contract extension with Missouri nearly three weeks ago.
And perhaps the best part for Michigan is Drinkwitz’s buyout isn’t astronomical. If the 42-year-old coach were to accept another job before Dec. 1, 2026, he would only owe Missouri $5 million, according to the Columbia Tribune, which Michigan would presumably pay.
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