The University of Michigan made the shocking decision to fire head football coach Sherrone Moore on Wednesday afternoon, with the university saying he was fired for cause.

Per athletic director Warde Manuel, in a statement on social media:

“U-M head football coach Sherrone Moore has been terminated, with cause, effective immediately. Following a university investigation, credible evidence was found that Coach Moore engaged in an inappropriate relationship with a staff member. This conduct constitutes a clear violation of University policy, and UM maintains zero tolerance for such behavior. Biff Poggi has been appointed head football coach in an interim capacity, effective immediately."

How does this impact Washington? 

Well, first and foremost, Michigan is one of Washington's Big Ten rivals, so anything that impacts the Wolverines impacts the Huskies.

Michigan beat Washington earlier this season as the Huskies went 8-4 and earned a trip to the LA Bowl, which will be played on Saturday.

Michigan is ranked No. 18, having gone 9-3. They will play in the Citrus Bowl against Texas on Dec. 31.

While it's too early to start hearing about official candidates for the job, it's never too early to start looking.

We are now late in the hiring cycle with LSU, Ole Miss, Arkansas, Penn State, Iowa State and several other schools having already filled their openings. The coaching herd is thinned out: is there any chance that Michigan could call on current UW head coach Jedd Fisch about the opening?

And if not that, then what?

According to Nicole Auerbach of NBC Sports, former Washington head coach Kalen DeBoer should be at the top of Michigan's wish list.

DeBoer took the Huskies to the national championship game in 2023, which they lost to Michigan. He's been at Alabama for the last two seasons and has the Crimson Tide back in the College Football Playoff this year, where they are seeded ninth.

They will take on No. 8 Oklahoma. 

There's been no indication that he's looking to leave Alabama after just two years, but there's certainly a chance that he could get a call.

This is a developing story and we will have more information as it becomes available and pertinent to Washington, if it does.

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