Michigan became a surprise entry to the college football coaching carousel this week when Sherrone Moore was fired on Wednesday.
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The timing of the firing came between two crucial landmarks for recruiting: The early signing period and the beginning of the transfer portal on Jan. 2.
In the meantime, interim head coach Biff Poggi is getting the No. 18 Wolverines set to face No. 13 Texas in the Citrus Bowl on Dec. 31.
Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer, Washington head coach Jedd Fisch, and Arizona State head coach Kenny Dillingham appear to be the most likely candidates for Michigan.
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USC head coach Lincoln Riley was immediately linked to the Wolverines after Moore was fired. However, it doesn’t appear that he’s a legitimate target for the program.
Per Pete Nakos of On3, it’s “unlikely” that Michigan will try to interview Riley.
Despite not making the College Football Playoff in his first four seasons with the Trojans, Riley seems to be on the right path to make the program nationally relevant again. USC has the No. 1 recruiting class for 2026, per 247 Sports.Â
The Trojans finished the regular season with a 9-3 record and a No. 16 ranking. Southern Cal will face TCU in the Alamo Bowl on Dec. 30.
Riley was linked to Penn State and Florida earlier this year. In November, the USC head coach suggested he had no plans to leave Los Angeles.
“Oh yeah, 100 percent. Like I said before, I’m right where I’m supposed to be,” Riley said. “I think nothing other than what we’re building… I love being here.”
Riley, 42, is 35-17 during his four seasons at USC. He’s not been able to find the same success with the Trojans that he did with Oklahoma when he led the Sooners to three-straight appearances in the CFP.Â
Riley won four consecutive Big 12 titles with Oklahoma from 2017 to 2020, his first stint as a head coach.
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