Michigan Athletic Directory Warde Manuel formally introduced Sherrone Moore as the football program’s 21st head coach during a press conference on Saturday morning.
During a five-minute speech, Manuel thanked Jim Harbaugh for his time in Ann Arbor and for recommending Moore for the job. He also explained how conversations with players and assistant coaches made it clear Moore was the right person for the job.
Here is Manuel’s speech in full:
Before I begin: On behalf of Michigan, I want to congratulate the Ford family. Rod Wood, who is the nephew of one of our former ADs, and Brad Holmes, coach Dan Campbell. Our great Wolverines who are on that team: Aidan Hutchinson, Graham Glasgow, Donovan Peoples-Jones, and all of the Lions. Good luck tomorrow. All the Wolverines will be cheering for you.
In talking about this, Jim talked effusively about Sherrone before the season, during the season, and in our conversation on Wednesday. Talked about and really gave me the insight from him on why he was our choice. And so I want to thank Jim for his nine years of service and contributions to Michigan football and our greatness. He will always be remembered by us. We will miss him and Sarah and the family, but I want him to know we will be cheering for him and wishing him great success with the Chargers. If the timing is right, Sherrone and I would like to have him come back as a captain of a game this year if the byes work out and as he says, take a long and slow bow in front of all the fans. So thanks to Jim.
Now the reason we’re here right now. I want to acknowledge and thank President Ono for his thoughtful partnership and engagement throughout the process. He adjusted his schedule to come back to campus to personally meet with Sherrone. That meant a lot to both of us. I want to thank those on the Board who called and gave me support, encouragement. And I think they all knew where I was going. They were very supportive. So thank thanks to Sarah [Hubbard] and Paul [Brown] for being here and thanks to the Regents that called me with kind words.
Also want to welcome and thank all of our student-athletes, coaches and staff members who are here and able to join us today. In meeting with the staff and then meeting with the coaches and the student-athletes and staff together, I was continually struck by the collective thoughtfulness and passion for this university.
Funny story — at least funny to me. After I met with all the student-athletes and staff on Thursday, one student-athlete was walking out with me. He pulled me to the side and he said these words: ‘You know who we want.’ And I said: ‘I do.’ We actually never exchanged the name, so I hope I got it right.
But I’m exceptionally proud to stand here today to introduce Sherrone Moore as our next head football coach. Sherrone has demonstrated leadership abilities and high character throughout his six years on staff. And I’m talking about things that go above and beyond juggling roles as offensive coordinator, offensive line coach and interim head coach responsibilities. He’s a great person, not just a great coach.
He proved firsthand that he can lead a team. Forty-five minutes prior to the team leaving the hotel at Penn State, Jim and I told him he would probably be leading the team. I gave him the official notice that he was about 90 minutes before the start of the game on the field. He handled it with great poise from start to finish — and didn’t flinch. How about 32 straight run plays being called? My former coach, Bo, was up in heaven looking down on you and smiling all day and after the game. He got into players in a very tough environment and kept them calm, and they played great football.
Going into the season, we didn’t plan on Sherrone having a four-game audition to become the next head coach of Michigan football. But looking back, that’s exactly what transpired. And I would add that he aced the audition and got the role.
