Eric Boggs
In the high-stakes world of college football, the role of head coach comes with immense pressure and expectations. For Sherrone Moore, the newly appointed head coach of Michigan Football, the transition has proven to be a far more challenging task than anticipated. Taking the reins from the long-time head coach Jim Harbaugh, who departed for the NFL’s Los Angeles Chargers, Moore faced an uphill battle from the start.
One of the initial hurdles Moore encountered was the exodus of key assistants who followed Harbaugh out the door. Among them were defensive coordinator Jesse Minter, defensive line coach Mike Elston, defensive backs coach Steve Clinkscale, and strength and conditioning coach Ben Herbert. Additionally, Jay Harbaugh, Jim’s son, also departed, opting for a special teams coaching position with the Seattle Seahawks. This mass departure left Moore scrambling to rebuild his coaching staff from scratch.
In his quest to assemble a competent coaching staff, Moore turned to Ryan Day’s staff at The Ohio State University. He managed to lure away Tony Alford, the Buckeyes’ long time running backs coach, despite Alford being offered a contract extension at OSU, albeit with reduced compensation. Alford’s departure sent shockwaves through the Ohio State football program, signaling Moore’s determination to bolster Michigan’s coaching ranks at the expense of its rival.
However, Moore’s triumph in securing Alford’s services was short-lived. Just as he seemed to be gaining momentum, Moore encountered a setback. One of his recent hires, defensive line coach Greg Scruggs, who he poached from Luke Fickell at Wisconsin, was arrested for operating a vehicle under the influence (OVI). This unfortunate incident forced Moore to take swift action, suspending Scruggs indefinitely pending further review by the football program and athletic department.
While Moore’s adversaries may rejoice in this setback, the incident marks the first significant blemish on Moore’s tenure as head coach of Michigan Football. It serves as a reminder of the immense challenges and responsibilities that come with leading a storied football program.
Despite the setbacks, Moore remains determined to navigate the turbulent waters ahead. It would appear that he is captaining the Titanic however, as many believe significant NCAA sanctians are looming for Michigan football program.
