Lindsay Budin is a student at the University of Michigan and has written for Maize n Brew since 2024.
Back in January when Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh left for the Los Angeles Chargers, the Michigan Wolverines didn't waste any time putting the 2024 coaching staff back together.
Just two days after news broke of Harbaugh's departure, Sherrone Moore was promoted from offensive coordinator to head coach. Seven days after that, Kirk Campbell moved from quarterback coach to offensive coordinator. Now, the offensive coordinator position is once again vacant.
After an underwhelming and abhorrent showing from Michigan's offense in 2024, Campbell was relieved of his coaching duties on Monday. Unlike last year, when the coordinator position remained unfilled for merely seven days, Moore isn't rushing to find a replacement.
"As far as the coordinator change, I'm gonna take my time, be in communication with our staff and players (regardless of) what that looks like, when that looks like," Moore said on Wednesday. "I'm already starting that process, so I don't have an exact timetable. I want to do it as soon as possible, but I want to be very thorough with it, so I'm taking my time day and night, doing everything I can to get that process done."
Between Campbell's quick hiring and short-lived tenure with Michigan, the Wolverines seemingly weren't thorough enough in that hiring process. Now, Moore is keen to not let history repeat itself.
Under Campbell, Michigan's offense was a shell of what it was the year prior. In 2023, the Wolverines averaged 35.87 points per game -- that figure shrunk down to 22.25 this year. Michigan amassed 382.7 yards per game a season ago -- the 14th-most in the country -- but averaged just 133.58 yards per game this season.
Notably, Michigan's offense this season relied on the running game much more than in previous years. For reference, in 2023, the Wolverines averaged 169.1 rush yards and 213.67 pass yards per game. In 2024, they averaged 160.7 rush yards and just 133.58 pass yards, a steep 80-yard decline.
Between the dependence on its running backs and crutch of its passing game, Michigan ranked 128 out of 133 FBS schools in total offense with 294.3 yards per game. Moore is aware of how the offensive imbalance contributed to that perplexing shortcoming and knows exactly what he wants for his next offensive coordinator.
"Just balance, we want to be a balanced team," Moore said. "Still gotta be able to run the football, that's gotta be a thing to do, but someone that's gonna develop a quarterback at a high rate and put them in a great position. And obviously you'll be able to teach a young guy, whether he starts day one, week two, year two, whatever it is, like you got to develop them and you got to see the progress. As far as what the offense will look like, that will take shape as we go."
Moore is less worried on the offense as a whole and is focused on developing the pieces within it. With Michigan likely losing its three biggest contributors from this season in tight end Colston Loveland and running backs Kalel Mullings and Donovan Edwards -- who contributed 2,119 of the Wolverines' 3,531 yards -- developing those who will fill their shoes is critical to success.
Additionally, bringing in someone who can develop a quarterback was at the top of Moore's wishlist. Adding the No. 1 recruit in the 2025 recruiting class, quarterback Bryce Underwood, gives Michigan a lot of optimism, and developing him is a top priority.
Last year, the Wolverines were hasty to fill their offensive coordinator position. Now, Moore is hoping slow and steady wins the race.