As the dust starts to settle surrounding the self-imposed suspension of head coach Sherrone Moore, many questions start to form over what the Michigan Wolverines will look like in his absence. More importantly, which coaches will step up to take over the program?

Unlike Jim Harbaugh’s suspension in 2024, Moore cannot attend practice during those two weeks, so it is not just finding a figurehead to call timeouts and throw the challenge flag — it’s finding a leader of men.

Here are three candidates to replace Moore during his suspension.

Offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey

Michigan wanted to reinvigorate the offense after ranking as the 130th passing offense in the FBS last season (out of 133), averaging 129.1 passing yards per game, averaging 8.38 yards per completion and throwing 13 interceptions.

As the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach with the Tar Heels for two seasons, Lindsey called plays, created installs for the offense and was tremendously impactful in quarterback Drake Maye and running back Omarion Hampton’s development into first-round talents.

With the expectation of already calling plays on offense even with Moore on the field, Lindsey should be the first candidate to replace Moore as the interim head coach.

Defensive coordinator Wink Martindale

While Lindsey could be the hot new candidate, the Wolverines are fortunate to have an NFL-lifer on their staff in Wink Martindale. The former Baltimore Ravens, New York Giants, Denver Broncos and Oakland Raiders defensive coordinator has a plethora of experience coaching athletes of all ages and talent levels. If Moore wants someone who will not make mistakes and go into these two games with an air-tight plan of action, Martindale could get the nod.

While Martindale has never been the head coach of a team, he has spent his entire career surrounded by coaching legends, and there is no doubt he would be more than serviceable in Moore’s absence.

What may give Moore pause about Martindale is not a negative, but his prowess as a sole defensive mind. Martindale has shown he works best when he only focuses on the defense, and giving him head coaching responsibilities could alter Michigan’s successful method to its madness.

Defensive line coach Lou Esposito

If you want a dark horse candidate, do not be surprised if Lou Esposito earns the job. Like Martindale, Esposito has a ton of coaching experience, most recently overseeing the defense and the defensive line at Western Michigan for seven seasons (2017-23).

Esposito could make sense for a few reasons. He brings an intensity and charisma that many players like. His command of a room is incredibly noticeable, and it could bode well if he stepped into the interim role.

Additionally, as previously mentioned, Martindale works the best when he stays within his defined role. Because of this, turning to Esposito would allow the coordinators to stay within their lane and give a position coach the opportunity to lead everyone in a holistic fashion.

My Prediction

As it stands, I believe that Lindsey will be the interim head coach. Between Harbaugh choosing Moore when he was in this position, and the continuity that will remain on the offensive and defensive side of the ball with Lindsey and Martindale calling plays, Lindsey being the choice should give Michigan the best chance of succeeding in its two matchups without their head coach.

Don’t rule out another dark horse candidate like Biff Poggi, or Moore picking a different interim head coach for each of the two games.