In the aftermath of the national championship game and the recent courtship of Jim Harbaugh by the Los Angeles Chargers, the Michigan Wolverines are now turning their attention to the future under their new head coach, Sherrone Moore. Moore's hiring has provided much-needed clarity and a green light for the team to begin building for the 2024 season and beyond.

With the coaching staff undergoing significant changes, Moore has several immediate priorities on his agenda. It is widely expected that defensive coordinator Jesse Minter will return to the NFL, potentially as Harbaugh's defensive coordinator with the Chargers. Additionally, special teams coordinator Jay Harbaugh is a strong candidate to join his father's staff. These potential departures would leave Moore with four positions to fill, including his previous role as offensive coordinator and offensive line coach, as well as the vacancy created by the firing of linebackers coach Chris Partridge last November.

Retaining key members of the current staff is a priority for Moore, with tight ends coach Grant Newsome being a logical choice to coach the offensive line. Keeping defensive line coach Mike Elston and defensive backs coach Steve Clinkscale would provide much-needed continuity on the defensive side of the ball. On offense, Moore may opt to maintain the existing coaching structure with quarterbacks coach Kirk Campbell and wide receivers coach Ron Bellamy.

Amidst these staffing considerations, the future of running backs coach Mike Hart remains uncertain. Hart has expressed his desire to become a head coach, and his absence from a recent news conference and championship celebration has raised questions about his role under Moore's leadership.

Another key figure that could potentially depart is strength coach Ben Herbert. Although Moore and athletic director Warde Manuel expressed optimism about retaining Herbert, reports have surfaced suggesting that Herbert has informed the team of his departure. The possibility of coaching in the NFL, combined with Harbaugh's praise for Herbert, likely played a significant role in his decision.

As Moore settles into his new role, he is considering delegating play-calling duties to an assistant. Campbell, who has prior experience as an offensive coordinator at Old Dominion, would be a logical candidate given his involvement in Michigan's passing game.

The search for a new defensive coordinator could be extensive, as Michigan looks for a coach familiar with the defensive scheme employed by the Baltimore Ravens, with whom the team has had success. Several potential candidates, including former Seahawks defensive coordinator Clint Hurtt, have links to the Vic Fangio coaching tree.

With the coaching staff in transition, Michigan players have a 30-day window to enter the transfer portal. While some departures have occurred, the team's core nucleus remains intact, including talented players such as Blake Corum, Hassan Haskins, and Donovan Edwards. Moore's promotion to head coach aims to keep this core group together while recruiting for the future.

Despite Harbaugh's departure, Michigan's 2024 recruiting class seems secure, with no indications of players wavering in their commitments. Once the current class is finalized, Moore will shift his focus to the 2025 recruits, seizing the opportunity to showcase his skills as a recruiter.

As Moore assumes the role of head coach, questions arise regarding his approach to recruiting and the ongoing NIL program at Michigan. As an esteemed position coach, Moore was known for his recruiting prowess, and it remains to be seen if he will be more hands-on than Harbaugh was. Additionally, he will have to navigate the evolving landscape of name, image, and likeness (NIL) opportunities while maintaining the university's philosophy of supporting student-athletes.

Michigan's football program is entering a new era under Sherrone Moore, who has inherited both challenges and prospects for success. With careful staffing decisions, continued recruitment efforts, and a commitment to the Wolverines' football tradition, Moore aims to build a strong foundation for Michigan's future seasons.