The Michigan Wolverines are navigating choppy waters in 2025, with new head coach Sherrone Moore facing a self-imposed two-game suspension tied to the lingering NCAA sign-stealing investigation from 2023, per a university statement reported by ESPN on May 5, 2025. Unlike his predecessor Jim Harbaugh, who coached practices during his 2023 suspensions before bolting for the Los Angeles Chargers, Moore must step away from the team entirely during his ban, which covers Michigan’s games against Fresno State and Arkansas State in September. The suspension, meant to signal compliance amid NCAA scrutiny, has sparked debate about Moore’s future and Michigan’s need for a fresh start. A speculative piece from TWSN floats a bold solution: replace Moore with Jon Gruden, the former NFL coach and passionate football mind, to usher in a new era untainted by scandal. Let’s explore Moore’s suspension, Michigan’s predicament, and whether Gruden could be the spark the Wolverines need.
Moore, who took over as head coach in January 2024 after Harbaugh’s departure, was implicated in the 2023 sign-stealing scandal as offensive coordinator. The NCAA’s ongoing investigation, which led to Harbaugh’s three-game suspension and a vacated 2023 national title, per Yahoo Sports, found that Moore exchanged 52 text messages with Connor Stalions, the staffer at the heart of the scheme, per The Athletic. While Moore wasn’t directly accused of orchestrating the operation, his involvement prompted Michigan to self-impose the two-game suspension to mitigate harsher NCAA penalties, potentially including a postseason ban or scholarship reductions. The university’s statement emphasized “accountability” but barred Moore from all team activities—practices, meetings, and games—during the suspension, a stricter measure than Harbaugh’s sideline-only bans.
Michigan’s 2025 season, projected at 8-4 by ESPN’s FPI, hinges on Moore’s ability to move past the scandal. The Wolverines return quarterback Alex Orji, who threw for 1,876 yards and 12 TDs in 2024, and running back Donovan Edwards (822 yards, 7 TDs), but their 7-5 record last year—ending with a Citrus Bowl loss to Alabama—disappointed fans expecting a repeat of 2023’s 15-0 run. The sign-stealing cloud, coupled with a 22nd-ranked recruiting class and losses to the transfer portal (e.g., WR Tyler Morris to USC), has dampened enthusiasm. Moore’s suspension, while proactive, risks further tarnishing the program’s image, especially after Stalions’ Netflix documentary reignited scrutiny in August 2024. TWSN argues that a “top-down restart” is needed to shed the scandal’s baggage, pointing to Moore’s ties to the controversy as a liability.
TWSN’s prediction—not a report—proposes Jon Gruden, the former Super Bowl-winning coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, as Michigan’s ideal replacement. Gruden, 61, hasn’t coached since his 2021 resignation from the Las Vegas Raiders amid a scandal over offensive emails sent during his ESPN tenure from 2009-17. Despite the controversy, Gruden’s football acumen remains undeniable. His 117-112 NFL record, including a 2002 Super Bowl XXXVII title, and stints with the Raiders, Buccaneers, and Eagles showcase his offensive expertise. Since 2021, Gruden has stayed engaged through his “Gruden’s QB Class” YouTube series, mentoring 2024 draft prospects like Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels, and serving as an ambassador for college programs, per CBS Sports. His film breakdowns, shared on social media, highlight a deep understanding of modern offenses, averaging 4.2 million views per episode, per YouTube analytics.
Gruden’s appeal for Michigan lies in his passion and recruiting potential. His 1998-2001 Raiders offenses ranked top-10 in points three times, and his 2020 Raiders averaged 27.1 points per game (8th). At Michigan, he could revamp an offense that ranked 74th in yards (356.2 per game) in 2024, leveraging Orji’s dual-threat ability (512 rushing yards) and TE Colston Loveland (45 catches, 649 yards). Gruden’s charisma, seen in viral clips coaching up QBs like Drake Maye, could thrive in the NIL and transfer portal era. TWSN notes his rapport with college players, citing his work with six 2024 draft QBs, and his “love for coaching” could resonate with recruits. Michigan’s $12.5 million NIL collective, per On3, and top-10 brand value ($1.8 billion, per Forbes) give Gruden tools to compete with Ohio State and Alabama.
Gruden’s college fit isn’t untested. In 1986-87, he was a graduate assistant at Tennessee, and his 1990s NFL roles under Mike Holmgren schooled him in player development. His 2018-21 Raiders tenure, though mixed (22-31), saw him draft stars like Maxx Crosby and develop Derek Carr (4,804 yards in 2020). Michigan’s 105,000-seat Big House and 12th-ranked fanbase (7.2 million social followers) align with Gruden’s high-energy style, and his 62.7% win rate in close games (20-12 from 2018-21) could stabilize a team that went 2-4 in one-score games in 2024. A projected $10 million annual salary, matching Moore’s, fits Michigan’s $208 million athletic budget.
Gruden’s baggage is a hurdle. His 2021 emails, containing racist, misogynistic, and homophobic remarks, led to his NFL exile, and Michigan’s progressive campus (No. 8 in inclusivity, per U.S. News) could balk. While Gruden apologized and settled a lawsuit against the NFL in 2022, per ESPN, hiring him risks PR backlash, especially after the sign-stealing saga. His lack of recent college experience—last at Pitt in 1988—and no head-coaching role since 2021 raise questions about adapting to NIL rules and portal dynamics. Michigan’s 2024 transfer losses (15 players, per 247Sports) demand a recruiter, and Gruden’s NFL focus might lag behind coaches like Ryan Day, who landed five five-star recruits in 2025.
Moore, 39, isn’t out yet. His 7-5 debut, while underwhelming, included wins over USC and Minnesota, and his 2023 interim stint (4-0 during Harbaugh’s suspensions) earned him the job. His 86.7% win rate as OC from 2021-23 and role in developing J.J. McCarthy (2,991 yards, 2023) show promise. The suspension, served early against non-conference foes, lets him return for Big Ten play, starting with Oklahoma on September 20. Michigan’s plus-22 point differential in 2024 and 3rd-ranked rushing attack (198.4 yards per game) suggest Moore’s system works when healthy—Orji’s 65.2 QBR ranked 22nd. Replacing him with Gruden, who’d demand a five-year, $50 million deal, risks alienating a fanbase loyal to Moore’s 2023 title run.
Gruden’s spark could be transformative. His West Coast offense, averaging 7.2 yards per play in 2020, fits Loveland’s 14.4 yards per catch and Edwards’ 5.1 yards per carry. Recruiting-wise, his name could lure top-100 prospects like 2026 QB Ryder Lyons, per Rivals, and portal targets like Miami’s Cam Ward. Michigan’s 8th-ranked SOS in 2025, with Ohio State, Texas, and USC on tap, needs Gruden’s 60.4% win rate against top-25 teams (14-9). But Moore’s youth and continuity—his 2024 staff retained 80% of Harbaugh’s assistants—argue for patience. The NCAA’s looming penalties (potentially a 2026 bowl ban, per SI) might force a reset, making Gruden’s clean slate appealing.
For now, Moore’s suspension is a hiccup, not a death knell. Michigan’s 8-4 projection, with winnable games against Illinois and Northwestern, keeps them bowl-eligible. Gruden remains a speculative savior—his 117 NFL wins and 63.6% playoff win rate (7-4) scream credibility, but his 2021 scandal and college inexperience are red flags. If Moore stumbles to 6-6 or worse, Gruden’s phone could ring. Until then, Michigan’s betting on Moore to weather the storm and silence the sign-stealing noise. The Wolverines’ next chapter starts September 6—suspended or not, it’s Moore’s show for now.
