The head coaching search at the University of Michigan continues to turn in the wake of Sherrone Moore’s firing. While many names have been floated as possible replacements, a new dark-horse candidate has emerged.
Who Is the Latest Canidate in the Rumor Mill As Michigan’s New Head Coach?
Moore was fired for cause after the university found proof of an inappropriate relationship with a staff member. The timing of his firing put Michigan behind the 8-ball in their search for the next head coach, and they’re starting to feel the effects of that.
The thought had been that Alabama’s Kalen Deboer and Arizona State’s Kenny Dillingham were the school’s top two candidates to replace Moore.
It appears the pursuit of both candidates has effectively ended with Alabama winning its first playoff game and Dillingham signing a new contract on Saturday.
Now, Michigan’s search has to expand. Could they look to the NFL for their next head coach?
Adam Stenavich is currently the offensive coordinator for the Green Bay Packers. He has been in Green Bay since 2019, when Matt LaFleur took over as the head coach.
Stenavich started as the offensive line coach before being promoted to offensive coordinator in 2022. He has been lauded for developing the Green Bay offensive line and for having players play multiple positions throughout the season without missing a beat.
After Green Bay’s 34-26 loss to the Denver Broncos on December 14, Mike Silver of The Athletic threw his name out as a potential candidate in Ann Arbor.
Stenavich has received interest as a head coach in the past, notably interviewing for the top job in Chicago last season before the Bears hired Ben Johnson.
What’s the Connection?
Anyone who has followed the football program in Michigan for any period of time knows they care about the people in their building having a connection to a program.
“A Michigan man will coach Michigan,” Bo Schembechler used to say.
The phrase “Michigan Man” had a different meaning beyond simply being connected to the program as an alum or from the area. The “Michigan Man” ideology has taken a beating in recent years as the program has been hit with one scandal after another.
Despite that, there is still support for Michigan to stay the course and hire someone with connections to the program rather than pursue what could be seen as a fresh start. Of course, the last time Michigan hired from outside its comfort zone, it ended in disaster with Rich Rodriguez.
Silver’s speculation, combined with a conversation with Maize and Blue Review’s Trevor McCue, suggests there is support within Michigan for Stenvaich to be the next coach.
If that were to happen, Stenavich would be another hire who fits the “Michigan Man” model, because he was a Michigan player at one point.
Stenavich took over as starting left tackle at Michigan in his sophomore year under former head coach Lloyd Carr and remained a starter until graduating in 2006. He earned First-Team All-Big 10 honors in 2004 and 2005.
The 42-year-old went undrafted out of Michigan and bounced around the NFL for five years before exchanging his cleats for a whistle.
Stenavich would rejoin his alma mater as a grad assistant and strength and conditioning coach at Michigan under Brady Hoke from 2011 to 2013. He knows the program and has always spoken highly of his time at Michigan.
Stenavich’s Potential Drawbacks
The drawback to hiring Stenavich is obvious. While he has coordinated potent offenses in Green Bay with both Aaron Rodgers and Jordan Love under center, he’s never been a primary play caller since head coach Matt LaFleur retains that responsibility.
Furthermore, after hiring a head coach like Moore with no experience, it blew up in their face. Would Michigan take another risk of hiring someone who has never been a head coach at any level?
Stenavich also has not been a coach at the college level since 2016, when he was the offensive line coach at San Jose State. College football has changed dramatically since 2016. Could Stenavich adapt to the modern era?
All of those are likely discussions that they’re having inside Schembechler Hall, but time is running short with the transfer portal set to open on January 2.