The 2024 Michigan football season was defined by transition. After capturing its first national championship since 1997, Michigan was dealt a jarring—though not entirely unexpected—blow: head coach Jim Harbaugh and several other coaches departed for the NFL just weeks after the title celebration leaving behind an empty coaching cabinet, a roster gutted by NFL Draft departures, and a delayed start in both the coaching carousel and the transfer portal.
In stepped Sherrone Moore—a respected internal hire who had earned the trust of the locker room and fanbase after going 4–0 as interim head coach during Harbaugh’s suspension in 2023. But his first full year at the helm came under uniquely challenging circumstances, and the growing pains were evident throughout the season.
A Disjointed Offense and Lingering Quarterback Questions
One of the biggest storylines of 2024 was Michigan’s offensive regression. Offensive coordinator Kirk Campbell, promoted from quarterbacks coach, never quite established a clear identity or rhythm with the offense. The unit struggled with execution, creativity, and consistency from start to finish.
The stats tell the story. Michigan finished a staggering 129th nationally in total offense (286.2 yards per game) and 130th in passing offense (129.1 yards per game). The quarterback play was erratic, with no consistent starter able to emerge or elevate the unit. Receivers struggled to separate, the offensive line took a step back in protection, and the lack of explosive plays became a weekly concern.
Perhaps most perplexing was the inconsistent usage of running back Kalel Mullings, who averaged over 5 yards per carry and routinely flashed as the most reliable offensive weapon. Despite his success, Michigan frequently leaned away from Mullings during crucial stretches or failed to get him the ball early, opting for a committee approach that came with a high level of predictability.
Losses to Illinois, Indiana, and Washington all came down to poor offensive execution and in-game decision-making—games that a more experienced staff or steadier quarterback play might have turned into wins. Those three missed opportunities ultimately defined an 8–5 season that, on paper, could have looked much different.
Wink’s Learning Curve and Defensive Redemption
Michigan’s defense, led by veteran NFL coordinator Wink Martindale, entered 2024 with high expectations—but the transition to his aggressive, blitz-heavy scheme was rocky. For much of the season, the Wolverines were among the worst teams in the Big Ten on third downs, with opponents frequently exploiting predictable blitzes and man coverage concepts.
Opposing quarterbacks knew pressure was coming—and they often beat it. The back end of the defense broke down at key moments, and Michigan gave up explosive plays that rarely showed up during the 2021–2023 run.
But Martindale adjusted, and the defense steadily improved. By season’s end, it had become the team’s strength, finishing 10th nationally in total defense (307 yards per game) and 19th in scoring defense (19.92 points per game).
The turnaround was punctuated by a gritty win over Ohio State in Columbus, where Michigan’s defense held the Buckeyes to just 10 points, contained their dynamic playmakers, and delivered timely stops and bone-crushing hits all game long. It marked Moore’s second consecutive win over Ohio State as a head coach—his first as the program’s full-time leader.
Michigan followed it up with a 31–17 win over Alabama in the ReliaQuest Bowl, delivering their most complete performance of the year. The defense forced three first-half turnovers, bottled up star QB Jalen Milroe, and held the Crimson Tide to just 68 rushing yards—an impressive feat against one of the nation’s top programs.
It wasn’t the defense fans saw in 2023—but by the end of the year, Martindale’s unit had fully bought in and laid a strong foundation for 2025.
Offseason Coaching Changes: Chip Lindsey Arrives to Rebuild the Offense
Recognizing the need for a fresh direction offensively, Sherrone Moore made a significant offseason move, parting ways with offensive coordinator Kirk Campbell and bringing in Chip Lindsey to revamp the attack heading into 2025.
Lindsey, a well-regarded offensive mind with deep experience across the college football landscape, brings a proven track record of building explosive and balanced offenses. Most recently at North Carolina, he helped engineer one of the ACC’s most dynamic passing attacks with quarterback Drake Maye, showcasing tempo, creativity, and adaptability—traits Michigan’s 2024 offense sorely lacked.
Before UNC, Lindsey served as head coach at Troy, and as offensive coordinator at Auburn, Arizona State, and Southern Miss. His offenses have consistently featured balance between the run and pass, and he’s known for tailoring systems around quarterback strengths—an area Michigan struggled with mightily this past season.
Lindsey’s arrival signals Moore’s intent to modernize the offense without abandoning the physical identity that has defined Michigan football in recent years. His experience, play-calling versatility, and recruiting ties—particularly in the South—should give the Wolverines a much needed jolt on the offensive side of the ball.
Building Off the Field: NIL and the Portal
Moore’s leadership off the field may be just as important to the program’s long-term success as his in-game growth.
Since taking over, he has worked diligently with university leadership and Michigan’s NIL collectives to improve the Wolverines’ competitiveness in an increasingly pay-to-play landscape. That includes more aggressive retention of key players and a strategic shift in portal activity.
Unlike last offseason—when Harbaugh’s late exit left Michigan behind the eight-ball—Moore and his staff were proactive and effective in the winter portal window, adding reinforcements at quarterback, receiver, running back, and along both lines. Expect immediate impact from a number of transfer portal additions.
Recruiting Momentum: A New Era of Talent Acquisition
One trait Sherrone Moore brought to the table before ever being named head coach was the ability to recruit well. In his first full cycle, Michigan landed the No. 6-ranked 2025 recruiting class, a dramatic step forward for a program that had often found itself outside the top 10 in recent years. The class is headlined by five-star quarterback Bryce Underwood, widely regarded as the top signal-caller in the country and one of the most important recruits Michigan has signed in the modern era.
Underwood’s commitment was both a symbolic and strategic victory for Moore—proof that the Wolverines can now go head-to-head with SEC and southern powers for elite skill talent. It also provides Michigan with a future offensive cornerstone that could redefine the quarterback position in Ann Arbor.
As of mid-summer 2025, recruiting is on fire. Michigan is attracting top talent with Moore and his staff emphasizing player relationships, development, and a clearly communicated vision. Coupled with revenue sharing and more competitive NIL infrastructure, the Wolverines are beginning to recruit at a level befitting a national title contender—not just a developmental power.
A Year One Measured by More Than Wins
Michigan finished 8–5 in 2024—a far cry from the 15–0 national title season that preceded it. But the win-loss record alone doesn’t tell the full story.
Sherrone Moore inherited a program in flux, a depleted roster, and the pressure of sustaining championship-level expectations while navigating first-time head coach challenges. There were mistakes, missed opportunities, and games that got away. But there was also growth, buy-in, and a clear glimpse of Moore’s ability to lead this program forward.
Back-to-back wins over Ohio State and Alabama to close the season validated Moore’s vision and steadied the ship heading into 2025. With a full offseason, revamped staff, elite recruiting momentum, and a stronger understanding of what’s required to win at this level, Michigan enters year two of the Moore era with confidence—and a head coach who’s already proven he belongs.