Overview
- ESPN's Pete Thamel identified Missouri’s Eli Drinkwitz, Washington’s Jedd Fisch and outgoing Utah coach Kyle Whittingham as the leading targets.
- Thamel said he does not expect Michigan to make a hire this week or immediately after Christmas, increasing urgency with the transfer portal set to open Jan. 2.
- Interim coach Biff Poggi is preparing the Wolverines for their bowl game against Texas and has interviewed for the permanent position.
- Whittingham has called himself a “free agent” after announcing he will step down at Utah, while Drinkwitz is tied to a Dec. 27 bowl and Fisch is focused on managing Washington’s roster activity.
- Poggi told reporters that up to 25 players might not return after the holiday break, underscoring roster volatility during the vacancy.