‘Malfunctioning’: Michigan interim coach Biff Poggi crushes prior leadership, and he’s spot-on

Michigan interim football head coach Biff Poggi lambasted the program’s previous two regimes during a news conference Monday — a spot-on assessment.

Poggi, who has interviewed for the team’s permanent head-coaching position, said the program has been a “malfunctioning organization” for the past five years.

“It’s been five years of a malfunctioning organization,” Poggi said.”Let’s call it what it is: It’s happened every year.”

Michigan is a Big Ten Conference powerhouse and a heavyweight in college football, winning the national championship in 2023. But, in recent years, the team has been embroiled in several high-profile controversies and scandals under former head coaches Jim Harbaugh and then Sherrone Moore.

Interim coach Biff Poggi didn’t hold back in criticizing previous leadership

There was the sign-stealing scandal involving a former staff member, Connor Stalions, that resulted in Harbaugh being suspended for three regular-season games. Stalions resigned in November 2023.

In March, the federal government indicted former offensive coordinator Matt Weiss for allegedly hacking into the accounts of college athletes. He was fired in January 2023.

On Dec. 10, Moore was fired for cause for allegedly having an inappropriate relationship with a staff member. Following his dismissal, he was charged with three crimes after allegedly approaching the staff member at her home.

On Monday, Poggi said Michigan must conduct a “massive self-examination of what’s happened in this building.”

He knows the Michigan team well. Poggi first served as an analyst in 2016, then as associate head coach from 2021 to 2022 under Harbaugh and again as associate head coach in 2025 under Moore.

Poggi, as the team’s interim head coach, will lead No. 18 Michigan (9-3 overall) against No. 13 Texas (9-3 in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl on New Year’s Eve in Orlando, Fla.

Transfer portal opens Jan. 2, putting Michigan under pressure

Beyond Michigan’s bowl, the transfer portal opens Jan. 2 and runs through Jan. 16. The team’s new head coach will be tasked with attempting to keep star freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood and other key players. That could prove tricky because Missouri on Sunday agreed to a three-year deal with Michigan offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey for the same role with the Tigers (h/t: ESPN’s Pete Thamel).

Given his familiarity with Michigan, Poggi, 65, is likely to be a strong candidate for the permanent head-coaching gig. “I want to fix this program,” he said on Monday.

Two potential top contenders for the Wolverines’ head-coaching job, meanwhile, are apparently off the board. They are Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer, whose Crimson Tide has advanced to the College Football Playoff quarterfinals, and Arizona State head coach Kenny Dillingham, who recently signed a contract extension to remain with the Sun Devils.

Other names to consider are Louisville head coach Jeff Brohm, Missouri head coach Eli Drinkwitz and Washington head coach Jedd Fisch. Kyle Whittingham, who is stepping down as the longtime head coach at Utah, has expressed an interest in the Michigan vacancy, but it’s unclear if that interest is mutual on the Wolverines’ side.

Those coaches have impressive resumes, but Poggi could ultimately be the best fit for Michigan. He would have a critical role in convincing current players and high school seniors who are signed to remain with the Wolverines for the 2026 season.

In any case, Poggi’s remarks about the state of the program are candid, honest and refreshing. Bravo.