The Coaching Crisis of 2025: Michigan’s Search Leads Unprecedented Carousel
Introduction: A Defining Moment for Coaching Leadership
The world of coaching—particularly in American football—is experiencing one of its most turbulent periods in recent memory. As Christmas 2025 approaches, Michigan’s scandal-scarred football program fired Sherrone Moore on December 10 following a probe into his off-the-field behaviours, creating a domino effect that highlights the precarious nature of coaching positions across the sporting landscape.
The urgency surrounding coaching changes has never been more pronounced, with 30 FBS head coaches hired in the 2025-26 coaching carousel. The stakes are particularly high as programmes navigate the new era of revenue sharing and player compensation, making the right leadership choice more critical than ever.
Michigan’s Desperate Search Against the Clock
The University of Michigan faces unprecedented pressure in its coaching search. Michigan officials told players’ families they aim to have their next head coach by Christmas, with the transfer portal opening on 2 January. Michigan must have a coach in place prior to that time or risk seeing the vast majority of its roster declare for college football free agency.
Several prominent names have emerged as candidates. Michigan had begun vetting Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken, whilst Michigan officials have begun vetting Louisville head coach Jeff Brohm and gauged his potential interest. However, the search has been complicated, with neither Alabama’s Kalen DeBoer nor Arizona State’s Kenny Dillingham expressing interest in the position.
The Broader Coaching Landscape
Beyond Michigan, the coaching carousel has been exceptionally active. The 2025-2026 college football coaching carousel is shaping up to be one of the most hectic in a long time, with four Power 4 head coaches fired in September. The NFL has also seen significant movement, with teams making coordinator changes and adjusting their leadership structures.
In a lighter development, entertainment legend Snoop Dogg joined Team USA as its first Honorary Coach—a volunteer role celebrating and supporting America’s athletes off the field of play, demonstrating the cultural significance of coaching roles.
Conclusion: The Future of Coaching
The 2025 coaching crisis underscores the immense pressure and scrutiny facing today’s sports leaders. With Michigan’s search serving as a cautionary tale, athletic programmes must balance quick decision-making with thorough vetting processes. The outcome of these coaching changes will shape competitive landscapes for years to come, whilst highlighting how the profession has evolved into a high-stakes, high-turnover environment where success and failure are measured in increasingly short timeframes. As the new year approaches, the coaching world watches anxiously to see who will lead these prestigious programmes into their next chapters.