Brian Kelly Floated As Potential Candidate to Replace Sherrone Moore at Michigan

Kelly was relieved of his duties in October with the LSU Tigers, listed as potential candidate for Michigan.

Courtesy of LSU Tigers Football.

Michigan Wolverines head coach Sherrone Moore is officially out as the shot-caller of the program after officials in Ann Arbor relieved him of his duties on Wednesday afternoon.

The decision-maker of the Michigan program took over for Jim Harbaugh in 2024 where he led the Wolverines to a 16-8 record in the full-time role, but is now out as the head coach after being fired following the 2025 season.

Michigan athletics director Warde Manuel announced the decision was "for cause "after a university investigation found “credible evidence that Coach Moore engaged in an inappropriate relationship with a staff member” in a statement.

Later in the evening, ESPN reported that Moore was detained by police in Saline (Mich.) and turned over to police in Pittsfield Township for investigation into potential charges.

“The City of Saline Police Department assisted in locating and detaining former University of Michigan football coach Sherrone Moore,” the department told ESPN. “Mr. Moore was turned over to the Pittsfield Township Police Department for investigation into potential charges.”

Breaking: Ex-Michigan coach Sherrone Moore was detained by police in Saline, Mich. this evening and turned over to police in Pittsfield Township for investigation into potential charges, reporting with @PeteThamel pic.twitter.com/KTuzlmNXQ7

— Dan Wetzel (@DanWetzel) December 11, 2025

Since his departure, the "Hot Boards" are heating up with multiple prominent names being linked to the job with multiple familiar faces tied to the vacancy.

Now, LSU's Brian Kelly is a name that's been floated around as social media swirls following the news of Moore being relieved of his duties in Ann Arbor on Wednesday afternoon.

Three Potential Candidates: Michigan Vacancy

Note: Sports Illustrated's Potential Candidates

Brian Kelly: Ex-LSU Head Coach

LSU head coach Brian Kelly was relieved of his duties in Baton Rouge on Oct. 26 amid a challenging season in 2025 - falling in three consecutive games this fall.

LSU was 34-14 across four seasons with Kelly at the helm, including a 19-10 mark against SEC competition, and won three straight bowl games.

The Tigers made their lone SEC Championship game appearance under Kelly in his first season in 2022. In 2023, they were led by quarterback Jayden Daniels, the Heisman Trophy winner and No. 2 overall NFL Draft pick.

Now, Sports Illustrated has floated around Kelly as a potential candidate for the Michigan Wolverines vacancy.

"This is the biggest, most available name the school could land and he knows a thing or two about winning big within the state. He was a bad fit in Baton Rouge but still knows how to run a high-level program and win games Michigan will need in league play.

"It might be tough to sell a former Notre Dame head coach in maize and blue for some though."

Courtesy of LSU Tigers Football.

Kalen DeBoer: Alabama Head Coach

"Did you see the reaction by Alabama fans to the no-show in the SEC championship game and near playoff miss?

"It seems like the Tide fan base is never going to buy into DeBoer unless he wins it all this season and pondering an escape hatch to an area of the country he’s much closer to could be advisable no matter what happens in the first round next week.

Kalani Sitake: BYU Coach

"The Cougars coach listened and seriously considered the interest from Penn State before turning them down to stay in Provo, Utah, but could an even bigger brand school still tempt him?

"It’s a long shot but one worth at least exploring given how well his style matches what Michigan wants.

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