Michigan Reportedly Eyeing NFL OC For HC Vacancy After Sherrone Moore Firing

Michigan football reportedly is eyeing a coach from the professional ranks for its vacant head coaching position.

Per Cleveland.com's Mary Kay Cabot, the Wolverines are interested in Cleveland Browns offensive coordinator Tommy Rees as a replacement for Sherrone Moore, who was fired on Wednesday.

Rees, who played quarterback at Notre Dame before a brief NFL career, was a graduate assistant at Northwestern in 2015 before working for the Chargers as an offensive assistant the following year.

He then spent six seasons on Notre Dame's staff, first as the team's quarterbacks coach and then as the Fighting Irish's offensive coordinator. He spent the 2023 season as Alabama's offensive coordinator under Nick Saban and helped the Crimson Tide reach the College Football Playoff.

Rees joined the Browns in 2024 and was named offensive coordinator ahead of the 2025 season. Amid instability at the quarterback position all year, Cleveland's offense has struggled this year, posting the third-fewest yards per game (269.8) and the fourth-fewest points per game (17.2).

Rees received interest from college programs during this year's coaching carousel and reportedly interviewed with Penn State remotely before the Nittany Lions hired Matt Campbell. When asked about the interest this week, he said his focus is on the Browns.

"I'm really focused on trying to play good offensive football, get a young quarterback ready to play, support our players," Rees told reporters. "Some of those things are flattering and you listen as a competitor, but, for me, my focus is really how can we score enough points to win a game. How can we put our young players, put our quarterback, put our offense in the right positions to have success. How to lead our staff — that's really where my focus is right now."

He was asked specifically about the Michigan job, but diverted the attention back to the Browns.

But if Michigan is serious about pursuing Rees, the Wolverines might get some pushback from Cleveland. According to Cabot, "the Browns think very highly of Rees, and will make every effort to keep him."

Taking a job with Michigan would be a big step for Rees, who is only 33 years old, but it remains to be seen whether he wants to leave his current role in Cleveland.