Michigan football rarely lacks drama, but the timing of its latest upheaval has pushed the program into unfamiliar territory. With leadership questions piling up and the coaching search accelerating, outside voices are beginning to demand control over what happens next.

One of the loudest voices belongs to Barstool Sports founder and Michigan booster Dave Portnoy, who has publicly claimed he can deliver Arizona State head coach Kenny Dillingham to Ann Arbor if the university allows him to lead the pursuit.

Portnoy’s comments carry added weight because of his financial stature within college athletics circles. The Barstool founder has been widely described as a nine-figure booster, with his personal wealth frequently estimated in the hundreds of millions, a reality that has fueled the perception of him as a $250 million–level donor capable of influencing high-stakes decisions if given institutional backing.

Michigan fired head coach Sherrone Moore for cause this week following reports of an inappropriate relationship with a staff member, a situation that later escalated into a criminal case. The move has forced the athletic department into an urgent search for stability.

“I wanted Dillingham,” Portnoy said. “I’ll get Dillingham on a silver platter in 48 hours.”

Portnoy has not shied away from rooting for Dillingham to come to Michigan. Online speculation spiked over the weekend as Michigan’s coaching search widened and Dillingham’s name got linked to the opening. Per an AP report cited by multiple outlets, the search firm hired by Michigan has contacted representatives for Dillingham and Missouri coach Eli Drinkwitz. Dillingham has acknowledged Michigan is a premier job, but reporting also indicates Arizona State is working on a new deal as his name circulates in the Michigan search. Whether that interest is enough to pull him away from Arizona State remains unclear.

Michigan won a national championship just two years ago behind quarterback J.J. McCarthy. A national-caliber program with extensive player development, Michigan appears to be a lucrative job. Michigan’s financial appeal remains undeniable. The athletic department projected $255.7 million in operating revenue for FY 2024–25, and the program has already flexed its NIL muscle, with reporting placing Bryce Underwood’s Michigan package in the eight-figure range.

Money and resources may not be Michigan’s biggest obstacle, but the timing of the search matters. Judge Claudia Wilken approved the House v. NCAA settlement in June 2025, opening the door to direct school payments to athletes and a new cap structure, a shift that has every big program recalculating how it competes financially. The firing only amplified criticism of the athletic department under AD Warde Manuel, forcing Michigan to confront leadership questions while attempting to stabilize its football operation. That uncertainty has made the head coaching search an urgent priority. With the program under increasing scrutiny, Portnoy has urged Michigan to move quickly.

Public booster involvement in major coaching searches is not unprecedented in college football. Oregon’s rise under Phil Knight famously coincided with Nike’s influence on the program’s infrastructure and coaching investments, while Oklahoma State long leaned on T. Boone Pickens’ financial backing during its most aggressive football expansion. In moments of transition, wealthy or outspoken boosters have often stepped forward to shape the direction of programs they feel are drifting.

“We don’t know if the AD is going to be there, or if the president is going to be there,” Portnoy said. “So just give it to the donor. Give it to me.”

Portnoy is clearly pushing for the Arizona State head coach to come to Michigan. For now, the strongest indicator points the other way: multiple reports say Arizona State and Dillingham are working toward an updated contract, even as Michigan’s search firm has made exploratory contact.

Kenny Dillingham signals contract extension with Alma Mater

On Saturday, Dillingham appeared before the press. The room was abuzz with Michigan chatter, and as expected, he was presented with that very question. Although he praised Michigan, his love for his alma mater runs deeper. Addressing the Michigan rumors, he reiterated his commitment to Arizona State.

“I think, for me, I know where I stand and I know what I want,” Dillingham said. “As the leader of a group, it’s my job to take care of groups of people, not just Kenny Dillingham.”

Dillingham added that his agent is already in discussions with the program regarding an enhanced contract, reinforcing Arizona State’s intent to retain its head coach.

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