“Sherrone is the right man for the job. That’s the guy, and Michigan got it right,” said Jim Harbaugh. “The guy is on fire right now. He’s working, recruiting,” he said. But why is Sherrone Moore on fire, recruiting people left, right, and center? Well, that’s all thanks to Jim Harbaugh. When he jumped ship from the Wolverines to the Los Angeles Chargers, he left behind a vacancy to fill—and collateral damage.

The former Wolverines HC hasn’t made it easy for Moore after his departure. When he left, he stripped Michigan of some key defensive brains. He took former DC Jesse Minter, strength and conditioning coach Ben Herbert (the best strength coach in the country, per Moore), special teams coordinator Jay Harbaugh, and recruiting coordinator and DL coach Mike Elston. Despite all these blows, though, Sherrone Moore may now have a glimmer of hope, thanks to what one of his players had to say.

Ensworth four-star linebacker Mason Curtis signed with Michigan last December. Tipped to be a crucial defensive player in the upcoming season, the 2024 recruit hasn’t interacted with Sherrone Moore yet after joining the Wolverines. That’s not to say he hasn’t expressed his admiration and confidence in Michigan’s new HC. As reported by The Tennessean, “I think [Moore’s hire] was very deserving. He did his thing this season as [interim coach],” referencing Moore’s 4-0 record in Harbaugh’s absence. 

“There was no one better to give it to. I know all the O-line commits love him. I trust in him, and hopefully, all the other commits do, too,” Mason Curtis explained. The 6’4, 190-pounder is Tennessee’s No. 7 player from the Class of 2024, who recorded 31 total tackles (3 for loss), 4 pass breakups, 2 defensive TDs, and 4 fumble recoveries last season. Per Curtis, he knew Michigan was the right place for him since his sophomore year. And as much as the team had become Jim Harbaugh’s over the years, it wasn’t the 60-year-old and his coaching style that appealed to Curtis. 

“My mom asked me, ‘If [Harbaugh] leaves, are you willing to stay?’ And I said yes. I was always staying,” the linebacker revealed. “I fell in love with the culture. Although I do love the coaching staff, I fell in love with the school first.” You can’t take away such commitment, and it’s players like him that Moore will need in 2024 as he prepares for his first run as HC.

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Considering Mason Curtis has “built a relationship [with Moore] over the years” and all the other players’ faith in the new HC, this could be an exciting season for the Wolverines.

Sherrone Moore is prepared to lead the Wolverines with his touch

Jim Harbaugh left Michigan after nine seasons. He led the Wolverines to three playoff appearances, with the last ending in a National Championship. Once the 2024 season commences, Sherrone Moore will have a lot of eyes on his coaching prowess. When he switched from his role as the offensive coordinator to assume the role of the head coach, Moore said, “I’m just going to be me… I’ve watched him coach for the last six years, but I can’t be Jim Harbaugh…”

“My leadership styles, how I’m going to approach things and do that. I’m definitely going to lean on him tremendously because, obviously, we know what he built what we built here, but definitely going to just be myself,” explained Moore. While the coaching staff and players are very different from the National Championship lineup, everyone’s hopes are still up. 

The 38-year-old has been around since 2018, and as Mason Curtis said, “There was no one better.” After all, he led his team to a 4-0 record when Jim Harbaugh served two separate suspensions last season. With the environment he’s helped build over the years in Ann Arbor, every team member—be it the players or the staff—believes Moore can continue their story right where Jim Harbaugh left off. And the trust they’ve placed in him will only help build his confidence. 

What are your predictions for the Michigan Wolverines’ first season under Sherrone Moore?

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