Michigan football rarely lacks drama, but the timing of its latest upheaval has pushed the program into unfamiliar territory. With leadership questions piling up and the coaching search accelerating, outside voices are beginning to demand control over what happens next. One of the loudest voices belongs to Barstool Sports founder and Michigan booster Dave Portnoy.

“I think Michigan needs a flushing of the athletic department and start over,” Portnoy said on the December 14 episode of Wake Up Barstool. “I don’t think any great coach is ever going to take a job if they don’t even know if the AD is going to be there. And we don’t know if the AD is going to be there. We don’t know if the president’s going to be there. So, just give it to the donor. Give it to Larry Ellison. Give it to me.

I’ll go close Dillingham, get him on a silver platter in 48 hours if you give me the resources. I’ll go get anybody in the living room.”

Notably, this comes days after Kenny Dillingham had revealed contract revision talks with ASU.

“They sent my agent one after the last game at some point. I’m not really involved in that,” he said last week, before choking back tears while reiterating how special ASU is to him.

“I love this place,” Dillingham, who grew up close to the ASU campus before joining as a student-athlete and then returning as the head coach, said.

While this put the nail in the coffin about the head coach’s long-term future with the Sun Devils, recent happenings also lead us to believe something might be simmering in Ann Arbor.

The first incident that raised eyebrows was multiple Michigan players and team wide receivers coach, Ron Bellamy, starting to follow Dillingham on social media. Further, it was also reported that Michigan’s search firm also contacted representatives for Dillingham.

What’s more, Dillingham also called the Wolverines “one of the best programs in the country”.

“Michigan is one of the best jobs in America, it’s an unbelievable brand, an iconic brand, so a great opportunity for somebody,” he said, and clarified he hasn’t had a conversation with the program about a job.

That said, Portnoy’s comments also carry weight. Mostly because of his financial stature within college athletics circles. The Barstool founder has been widely described as a nine-figure booster, with his personal wealth frequently estimated in the hundreds of millions, a reality that has fueled the perception of him as a $250 million–level donor capable of influencing high-stakes decisions if given institutional backing.

Michigan won a national championship just two years ago behind quarterback J.J. McCarthy. A national-caliber program with extensive player development, Michigan appears to be a lucrative job. Michigan’s financial appeal remains undeniable. The athletic department projected $255.7 million in operating revenue for FY 2024–25, and the program has already flexed its NIL muscle, with reporting placing Bryce Underwood’s Michigan package in the eight-figure range.

Money and resources may not be Michigan’s biggest obstacle, but the timing of the search matters. Judge Claudia Wilken approved the House v. NCAA settlement in June 2025, opening the door to direct school payments to athletes and a new cap structure, a shift that has every big program recalculating how it competes financially. The firing only amplified criticism of the athletic department under AD Warde Manuel, forcing Michigan to confront leadership questions while attempting to stabilize its football operation. That uncertainty has made the head coaching search an urgent priority. With the program under increasing scrutiny, Portnoy has urged Michigan to move quickly.

Public booster involvement in major coaching searches is not unprecedented in college football. Oregon’s rise under Phil Knight famously coincided with Nike’s influence on the program’s infrastructure and coaching investments, while Oklahoma State long leaned on T. Boone Pickens’ financial backing during its most aggressive football expansion. In moments of transition, wealthy or outspoken boosters have often stepped forward to shape the direction of programs they feel are drifting.

“We don’t know if the AD is going to be there, or if the president is going to be there,” Portnoy said. “So just give it to the donor. Give it to me.”

Portnoy is clearly pushing for the Arizona State head coach to come to Michigan. For now, the strongest indicator points the other way: multiple reports say Arizona State and Dillingham are working toward an updated contract, even as Michigan’s search firm has made exploratory contact.

Kenny Dillingham signals contract extension with Alma Mater

On Saturday, Dillingham appeared before the press. The room was abuzz with Michigan chatter, and as expected, he was presented with that very question. Although he praised Michigan, his love for his alma mater runs deeper. Addressing the Michigan rumors, he reiterated his commitment to Arizona State.

“I think, for me, I know where I stand and I know what I want,” Dillingham said. “As the leader of a group, it’s my job to take care of groups of people, not just Kenny Dillingham.”

Dillingham added that his agent is already in discussions with the program regarding an enhanced contract, reinforcing Arizona State’s intent to retain its head coach.

Top Stories

“RIP”: Prayers Pour In as Tom Brady’s Raiders Struck by Tragedy

Footage Surfaces of Florida Police Arresting NASCAR Veteran Over Disturbing Public Misbehavior

“Rest in Peace”: Prayers Pour In From Dan Marino as Dolphins Legend Mourns Tragedy in South Florida Football

Caitlin Clark Shows Concerning Signs vs. Kelsey Plum During USA Camp Debut, per National Reporter

“NFL Was Crying”: Maxx Crosby Says League Forced Him to Remove Shoes Honoring His Daughter

Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes Loses Faith in Kansas City With Cowboys Decision as FOX Host Calls Out Clark Hunt’s Ownership