The Michigan football program is searching for a new head coach and the Wolverines could look to land a big fish to replace Sherrone Moore. Michigan announced the firing of Moore and could turn to another Big Ten program to find their next coach.
On3’s Pete Nakos noted that USC’s Lincoln Riley is a name to watch for Michigan’s sudden vacancy.
“The former Oklahoma head coach went 9-3 this season at USC,” Nakos detailed in a December 10, 2025, story titled, “Michigan Head Coach Hot Board: Top candidates to replace Sherrone Moore.” “Lincoln Riley has worked to bring the Trojans back into the spotlight. He’s come close, a Pac-12 title win away from crashing the College Football Playoff in 2022.
“Will he be pulled away to lead Michigan? The move would be a big jump for Riley, but Michigan enters the coaching carousel after most of the top candidates this year have picked new jobs.”
Here’s what you need to know about the latest Michigan rumors.
USC HC Lincoln Riley Has Long Odds To Be the Next Michigan Coach
Would Riley want to leave USC for Michigan? Riley has been linked to several college football openings over the last two hiring cycles, but there has been little traction with the coach actually leaving Southern California.
The chances of Michigan making a strong push to poach Riley remains to be seen. Betting odds have Riley well below the top Michigan favorites at +2000. For context, Alabama’s Kalen DeBoer is the favorite to be the next Michigan coach at +200, per BetOnline.
Riley previously attempted to downplay the ongoing coaching rumors. It will be interesting to see if Riley could be persuaded by the Michigan job suddenly becoming available.
“Yeah, like I said before, I’m right where I’m supposed to be,” Riley previously remarked on the coaching rumors, per USC Trojans on SI’s Cory Pappas. “I think nothing other than what we’re building literally. I love being here and yeah, that’s really the end of it.”
Lincoln Riley Signed a 10-Year, $110 Million Contract With USC in 2022
Riley signed a 10-year, $110 million contract with USC in 2022, per Sports Illustrated. The Trojans have had mixed results under Riley given the massive expectations after the coach bolted Oklahoma for USC. Riley is coming off a 9-3 season at USC, his best outing with the Trojans since going 11-3 in his inaugural campaign in 2022.
As for Michigan, DeBoer has emerged as a favorite for the Wolverines job, but it remains unclear if the Alabama coach has an interest. Michigan’s chances to land DeBoer could depend on how Bama’s College Football Playoff run unfolds.
“Alabama’s Kalen DeBoer was never actually a serious candidate for the Penn State job,” The Athletic’s Bruce Feldman wrote in a December 11, story titled, “Michigan coaching candidates: Five names to watch, from Kalen DeBoer to Jedd Fisch.” “Sources told The Athletic neither DeBoer nor his representatives had any contact with anyone connected to the Nittany Lions search.
“Would he have some interest in this job? That could depend on the outcome of the Crimson Tide’s visit to Oklahoma on Dec. 19 in the opening game of the College Football Playoff’s first round. If Bama loses that game to cap a disappointing final month of the season, pressure will mount around Tuscaloosa.”
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