ANN ARBOR, Mich. — The firm hired by the University of Michigan to search for a football coach to replace Sherrone Moore has contacted representatives for Arizona State’s Kenny Dillingham and Missouri’s Eli Drinkwitz, according to a person familiar with the situation.
The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Saturday because they were not authorized to share details of the search.
Moore was fired Wednesday, when the school said an investigation uncovered his inappropriate relationship with a staffer. Two days later, Moore was charged with three crimes after prosecutors said he “barged his way” into the apartment of a woman he’d been having an affair with and threatened to kill himself soon after being fired.
The program with more with more all-time wins than any other in college football suddenly needs a coach, and while Dillingham and Drinkwitz would seem to be happy where they are based on recent events, little is surprising when it comes to coaches deciding to move on.
After the 35-year-old Dillingham was linked to numerous open jobs last month, he said he was not leaving his alma mater.
Two weeks ago, Drinkwitz agreed to a six-year contract that increases his average compensation to $10.75 million annually.
Michigan hopes to hire a coach this month, which could improve its chances of retaining recruits and keeping key players out of the NCAA transfer portal.
Michigan (9-3), ranked 18th in the AP Top 25 poll, is set to close its 2025 season by playing No. 14 Texas (9-3) in the Citrus Bowl on Dec. 31 at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida. Biff Poggi, who filled in for Moore when he was suspended earlier this season in relation to a sign-stealing scandal from when he was an assistant on previous head coach Jim Harbaugh’s staff, is currently serving as interim coach for the Wolverines.
Dillingham, who is from Scottsdale, Arizona, graduated from Arizona State in 2013 and started his coaching career as an assistant for the Sun Devils. After coaching at Memphis, he was the offensive coordinator for Auburn, Florida State and Oregon before returning to Arizona State.
Dillingham orchestrated a quick turnaround, leading the Sun Devils to the Big 12 championship and the College Football Playoff for the first time last year.
Arizona State was 8-4 this season, improving Dillingham’s record to 22-16 over three seasons.
The 42-year-old Drinkwitz is 46-28 in six seasons at Missouri after going 12-1 in a year at Appalachian State. He has built the Tigers into a consistent winner in the Southeastern Conference, with the program earning five straight bowl bids.