It is not unusual in college football history for some storied programs to have hidden gems whose stories reside in the shadows of the limelight. One such story involves Sherrone Moore, former Oklahoma backup guard and now emerging as Michigan's new head coach. A journey to the Sooner sidelines meant a chance at the Wolverines' front office—one of dedication, leading, and unspoken promise.
Long before he'd follow in Jim Harbaugh's footsteps at Michigan, Moore was a locker-room leader at Oklahoma. Never a starter, he commanded respect. With his sharp mind, great communication skills and authentic team spirit, Moore was a beloved member of the 2006 and 2007 Big 12 championship teams. According to Bob Stoops, who was Oklahoma's head coach at that time, "Everything about him was fantastic."
Fast forward to today, Moore is days away from making his debut as Michigan's permanent head coach, and with this comes a monumental task of filling Harbaugh's shoes, only to see 13 key players get drafted into the NFL—just about any program's record this year. Adding to those pressures, he is also living with an NCAA investigation that has implicated Moore in the middle of a sign-stealing scandal involving former Michigan staffer Connor Stalions. That could mean suspension and other sanctions for Moore, but he is staying completely transparent and cooperating with the NCAA, believing full well that the entire story will eventually be told.
All the same, it was Moore's time as Michigan's offensive coordinator and interim head coach that showed his mettle. Indeed, last year while Harbaugh served his suspensions, Moore was at the helm and led the Wolverines through an undefeated season, culminating in a national championship. Keeping the team on the road to success during one of the major controversies was exactly what he did at Oklahoma with equal vigor.
It is readily endorsed by former Oklahoma teammate Gerald McCoy, a six-time Pro Bowler: "When they won that [Penn State] game and he cried in the interview and people were giving him a hard time, I was like, 'That's because y'all don't know the type of person he is, the type of love he has for his teammates, the school he's at, the kids he's coaching,'" McCoy shared. "He's very loyal. And he's going to be the biggest cheerleader."
From his first year in Michigan as the leader of the Wolverines, the echoes of his past at Oklahoma are ringing proof of the persistence of his commitment and leadership. When he was with Oklahoma, his coming here as a head coach was a matter of time, and as he leads in that capacity, it is truly evident that his time is yet ahead.
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