Michigan football's roster may look a lot different a month from now.
As announced on Wednesday, Dec. 10, Michigan fired coach Sherrone Moore with cause over an alleged inappropriate relationship he had with a staffer. Moore had been the full-time coach since the 2024 season after the departure of coach Jim Harbaugh and went 17-8 over his two full seasons in Ann Arbor.
With Moore's firing, current Michigan players will now likely have two chances to seek new opportunities elsewhere, once during the January transfer portal window and once again when the program hires a replacement for Moore.
Michigan could also suffer a hit to next year's recruiting class, which is ranked No. 11 in 247 Sports' composite rankings following the conclusion of the early signing period. Players who gave verbal commitments to Moore for 2027 and beyond may choose to decommit following his ousting.
As for the recruits who have already signed with the team, the process is a little more complicated. Here's what you need to know about the options Michigan players have after Moore's firing.
Can Michigan players transfer now that Sherrone Moore is fired?
Yes, but not as quickly as they used to be able to.
When new Name, Image and Likeness rules were established in 2024, the NCAA allowed players from a program to transfer within 30 days of a coach's firing and established a universal transfer portal window in the spring. That rule has been changed, with the portal also being moved.
The NCAA now has a universal transfer window from Jan. 2-16 for all players in schools not participating in the College Football Playoff semifinals (players at those schools will have transfer windows after the conclusions of their own playoff games), which this upcoming January can include Michigan players.
Also, instead of a 30-day transfer window for players after a coaching change, a new NCAA rule ratified in September gives players a 15-day window to enter the transfer portal starting five days after a new full-time coach is hired at a program. Depending on when a new coach is hired at Michigan, this could give Michigan players a second 15-day window to enter into the portal.
Can Michigan recruits leave now that Sherrone Moore has been fired?
Yes, but the process depends on the type of recruit.
Players who are verbally committed but not signed to schools don't need to worry about transfer rules – they can switch their commitment at any time. That's more of an issue for future Michigan recruiting classes, however, as the Wolverines have 26 incoming players signed for the 2026 season.
Players who sign a letter of intent with a school are typically contractually bound to the school for one year. But if a coach leaves before the early signing day, incoming signed players are automatically granted a release by the school and can recommit to another program without having to wait a season.
That could lead to big roster changes for a program about to get a big coaching search ready.
Need to catch up on the news during your lunch break? Sign up for our Sports Briefing newsletter to get daily summaries of Detroit sports!
You can reach Christian at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan football transfer rules after Sherrone Moore firing