Cover 3 College Football Podcast

🚨 Michigan Fires Sherrone Moore | December 10, 2025

Overview

This emergency episode covers the stunning, abrupt firing of Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore. Hosts Chip Patterson and Tom Fornelli react in real-time to the news, break down the reasons for Moore's dismissal, discuss the immediate and long-term implications for Michigan football, and spitball possible candidates for the head coaching job. The episode captures the chaos and uncertainty of a major program suddenly needing new leadership, with the hosts riffing on potential hires, the difficulty of filling the position at this time of year, and the ripple effects on recruits and staff.

Main Theme

Michigan abruptly fires head coach Sherrone Moore for cause, following a university investigation into inappropriate conduct. The hosts discuss what led to the firing, analyze the fallout for the Wolverines, debate top coaching candidates, and speculate on how this late development shakes up the college football landscape.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Immediate Reaction to Sherrone Moore’s Firing

• Announcement Details

  • [03:53] Chip Patterson reads the statement:
    • Moore was terminated “with cause, effective immediately following a university investigation. Credible evidence was found that Coach Moore engaged in an inappropriate relationship with a staff member. This constitutes a clear violation of university policy.”
    • Biff Poggi appointed as interim head coach.

• Surprise Factor

  • [05:25] Tom Fornelli:

    "Why can't these schools just let us live our lives?"

  • Chip and Tom emphasize there was no ‘hot seat’ chatter; even insiders are blindsided.

• University Policy and Buyout

  • [06:13] Chip Patterson:

    “Those words are so serious. Terminated with cause, effective immediately. Robbie Callan, Sherrone Moore buyout was a story that was written at one point. Guess what?”

  • [06:37] Tom:

    “And now it won’t have to be paid.”

  • Implication: Michigan avoids payout—major financial and ethical statement.

2. Immediate Next Steps for Michigan

• Citrus Bowl Preparation

  • [06:44] Biff Poggi leading the team in the interim—will finish out the season, at minimum.

• Time Crunch

  • [07:10] Winter conditioning starts in about a month; Michigan will want a permanent coach swiftly.

3. Coaching Carousel Speculation: Who’s Next at Michigan?

• Timing Problem
  • [07:27] Tom:

    “If this happens three weeks ago or, hell, a week ago…”

  • Many top options likely already off the market.

Top Names Floated and Commentary

• Matt Campbell (Penn State)

  • [07:36] Tom:

    “Matt Campbell is the very first name that should be at the top of the list.”

  • But he just took Penn State, making a move unlikely.

• Kalen DeBoer

  • [07:52–08:35] DeBoer to Michigan rumors, but he’s prepping for playoff with current team.

• P.J. Fleck

  • [09:10] First name on Chip’s rapid-fire list.
  • [14:25–15:56] Debated as a solid but uninspiring candidate—seen as a steady program-builder who would keep Michigan strong, even if not a sure national title winner.
  • [15:02] Tom:

    "If the only...based off of the results that I've seen in my lifetime, ...I think you want a program builder type."

• Brian Kelly, Lincoln Riley, John Harbaugh, Mike Tomlin, Kenny Dillingham

  • [09:15–10:01] Mostly dismissed by Tom and Chip for various reasons (timing, attractiveness, fit, current satisfaction with jobs).

• Bryce Underwood Impact

  • [10:15] Tom:

    “What does this mean for Bryce Underwood?”

  • High-profile recruit potentially in flux; replacement must reassure him.

• Jedd Fisch

  • [11:36] Both see potential value, as Fisch was a former Michigan assistant.

• Mike Norvell, Urban Meyer

  • [12:16] Mike Norvell mentioned; Urban Meyer dismissed as ‘hilarious’ but not likely.

• Other Coaches and the “Check-in-on-them” List

  • [26:04–29:12] Entertaining run-through: Eli Drinkwitz, Brent Key, Rhett Lashley, Dabo Swinney, Jeff Brohm, Kalani Sitake, Luke Fickell, Steve Sarkisian, Glenn Schumann, Clark Lea.
  • [29:57] Chip recaps:

    "Our check in on him list: Eli Drinkwitz, Brent Key, Rhett Lashley, Kenny Dillingham, Jeff Braum, Kalani Sitaki, Luke Fickell, Steve Sarkisian, Glenn Schumann, Clark Lee."

• Will Internal Candidates Be Considered?

  • [19:26] Jesse Minter noted but likely not viable due to show-cause issues.

4. Impacts on Program and Recruits

• Bryce Underwood Decision Looms

  • [10:23–11:14]

    “Some of this has to be hiring someone that is going to convince Underwood to stay.”

  • Losing their top QB recruit could torpedo short-term plans.

• Recruiting Class and National Image

  • Michigan’s championship foundation and money are positives, but uncertainty could deter some candidates or recruits.

5. Larger Implications in College Football

• Coaching Carousel Not Shut

  • [08:35–09:06]

    “You made this happen by saying the carousel had closed. It was done. It was wrapped. You said there weren’t going to be any more openings. Every coach had been hired…”

  • This surprise reopens the market.

• Potential for Other Coaches to Get Raises

  • [13:03] Chip and Tom jokingly note this kind of opening triggers a new round of contract extensions across the sport, even for tangentially related coaches.

Notable Quotes & Moments

On the shock of the firing:

“This is not one of those situations. So yes, we can bypass the pleasantries.”
[03:53] — Chip Patterson

"There are always rumors that you hear and, you know, most of the time they're all complete crap ... And then this happened today and it no longer seems to be dismiss worthy."
[05:32] — Tom Fornelli

On the seriousness of the situation:

“If the university says you messed up, you messed up, it's done. Like, those words are so serious. Terminated with cause, effective immediately.”
[06:13] — Chip Patterson

On the 'Check-in-on-him' coaching search:

• [29:57]

  "Our check in on him list: Eli Drinkwitz, check in on him. Brent Key, check in on him. Rhett Lashley, check in on him. Kenny Dillingham, check in on him. Jeff Braum, check in on him. Kalani Sitaki, check in on him. With cookies. Luke Fickell, check in on him. You got money. Steve Sarkisian, check in on him. Glenn Schumann, check in on him. Clark Lee, check in on him."

On program standards and expectations:

“I think it would be a perfectly fine place if that's where it landed. I don't know if that's going to be the name that excites Michigan fans ...”
[15:56] — Tom Fornelli, On P.J. Fleck

On the broader effect:

"This is a job that will be attractive to pretty much anybody. Quite literally won a national title two years ago. Like, there's no sitting coach that if you are — I don't care who you are — outside of maybe like Kirby Smart, Ryan Day, like, outside of a couple schools, you can't really be comfortable because they can win. They've won recently, and they have money, a lot, a lot of money.”
[12:36] — Tom Fornelli

Timestamps of Key Segments

• 03:53 – Breaking news: Sherrone Moore fired with cause, Biff Poggi interim head coach
• 05:23–06:41 – Initial reaction: surprise, gravity of ‘for cause,’ and buyout implications
• 06:44–07:27 – What’s next for Michigan: Biff Poggi and coaching search timeline
• 07:27–10:01 – Early possible candidates: Campbell, DeBoer, Fleck, etc.
• 10:23–11:14 – Discussion of Bryce Underwood’s future in light of coaching change
• 13:07–13:41 – Speculation about more contract extensions in the wake of another coaching opening
• 15:02–15:56 – In-depth look at P.J. Fleck as candidate and his program-building resume
• 19:14–19:55 – Addressing why Jesse Minter isn’t a likely candidate
• 24:53–25:51 – Thought exercise: What if Michigan had made the Playoff with Moore?
• 26:04–29:57 – “Check in on him” segment: rapid-fire potential coaching names
• 29:12–29:57 – Recapping the full list of speculative candidates

Tone & Style

• Fast-paced, unscripted, slightly chaotic—reflects genuine surprise and the rapidly changing news cycle.
• Fairly irreverent, peppered with jokes and college football culture references.
• Analytical yet conversational, dense with names, rumors, and candid assessments.

Conclusion

This episode provides a fast, thorough analysis of Michigan’s sudden coaching crisis, mixing hot-off-the-presses reaction with wide-ranging speculation on the coaching market. The hosts filter out predictable or implausible names, focus on the significance for Michigan’s current roster and recruits, and touch on possible ripple effects throughout the sport. By the end, listeners understand the how and why of Moore’s firing, the unique challenge facing Michigan’s administration, and the sheer unpredictability of the college football carousel.