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Michigan has focused on offensive coordinator/offensive line coach Sherrone Moore to replace Jim Harbaugh as football head coach, and Moore is expected to be offered the job barring an unexpected development, sources told ESPN on Wednesday.

Harbaugh was named head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers on Wednesday, and he will receive a five-year deal, sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter. Harbaugh, in his ninth season at his alma mater, led Michigan to the national championship — the Wolverines’ first since splitting the title with Nebraska in 1997.

“We are working quickly to hire the next head coach for the program and will do everything possible to keep this current staff and team together,” Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel said in a statement Wednesday night.

According to a source, Moore is scheduled to meet with Michigan officials Thursday and has already started reaching out to potential candidates to be a part of his staff.

Moore, 37, filled in as Harbaugh’s replacement for four games this season while Harbaugh was suspended, including the final three regular-season games. That stretch included a 24-15 road win over No. 10 Penn State and a 30-24 victory over rival Ohio State to clinch the Wolverines’ third straight Big Ten championship appearance.

Harbaugh returned for the conference championship game and Michigan’s two games in the College Football Playoff.

In statements, Michigan president Santa Ono and Manuel both said the program had discussed a new contract that would have made Harbaugh the highest-paid coach in college football.

“Jim did exactly what he sought to do at Michigan, build our program to consistently win Big Ten Championships and compete for national championships,” Manuel said. “We can’t thank Jim enough for all that he has done for our student-athletes, staff and Michigan Football. He will always be a huge part of our rich history, and will be remembered as an all-time great Wolverine, as both a championship player and coach.”

Moore was especially emotional in a postgame interview on television following the win over Penn State and passionately thanked Harbaugh. “Love the s— out of you, man,” Moore said. “This is for you, for this university, the president, our AD. We got the best players, best university, best alumni in the country. Love you guys.”

Moore has been a part of the Michigan staff for the past six seasons. He was the tight ends coach from 2018 to 2020 and moved to offensive line coach in 2021 and 2022, with the Michigan offensive line receiving the Joe Moore Award as college football’s best O-line in both seasons. Moore added offensive coordinator duties in 2023, and the Wolverines finished 14th nationally in scoring offense (35.9 PPG) and put up 30 or more points in 12 of their 15 games en route to an unbeaten season.

He gained support of Michigan’s players. All-American offensive lineman Zak Zinter posted on X on Wednesday night: “No interviews needed. It’s Papa Moore’s time.”

Moore was suspended for Michigan’s season opener against East Carolina as part of the school’s self-imposed penalties for violating NCAA rules. He returned the second week and filled in for Harbaugh in a 35-7 win over UNLV.

With Harbaugh leaving for the Chargers, Alabama‘s Nick Saban retiring and Washington‘s Kalen DeBoer departing for Alabama, that means three of the four head coaches in last season’s College Football Playoff will be elsewhere next season.

Harbaugh’s departure also leaves only three active FBS head coaches with a national title: Georgia‘s Kirby Smart, Clemson‘s Dabo Swinney and North Carolina‘s Mack Brown (who won at Texas).

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Canes’ Andersen, 35, secures deal before Round 2

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Canes' Andersen, 35, secures deal before Round 2

RALEIGH, N.C. — The Carolina Hurricanes have signed goaltender Frederik Andersen to a one-year contract for next season, worth $2.75 million for the 35-year-old veteran.

General manager Eric Tulsky announced the deal Saturday, a little over 48 hours before his team starts the second round of the playoffs against the Washington Capitals.

Andersen could earn up to $750,000 in incentives for games played and his participation in a potential run to the Eastern Conference finals next season. He would get $250,000 for playing 35 or more games, another $250,000 for getting to 40 and $250,000 if the Hurricanes reach the East finals and he plays in at least half of the playoff games.

“Frederik has played extremely well for us and ranks in the top 10 all-time for winning percentage by an NHL goalie,” Tulsky said. “We’re excited that he will be staying with the team for next season.”

Andersen and the Hurricanes, the No. 2 seed in the Metropolitan Division, advanced past the New Jersey Devils in Round 1 last week. They will meet the Capitals, who won the division crown, for the right to make the NHL’s final four.

Extending Andersen could give the team a goaltending tandem with Pyotr Kochetkov for less than $6 million combined.

Anderson, a Denmark native who previously played for the Anaheim Ducks and Toronto Maple Leafs, has become coach Rod Brind’Amour’s most trusted option in net. He is expected to return to the starting role for Game 1 of the Capitals series after getting injured in the first round against New Jersey.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Sovereignty outduels Journalism to capture Derby

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Sovereignty outduels Journalism to capture Derby

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Sovereignty outdueled 3-1 favorite Journalism down the stretch to win the 151st Kentucky Derby in the slop on Saturday.

Trainer Bill Mott won his first Derby in 2019, also run on a sloppy track, when Country House was elevated to first after Maximum Security crossed the finish line first and was disqualified after a 22-minute delay.

This time, he knew right away.

Sovereignty won by 1½ lengths and snapped an 0-for-13 Derby skid for owner Godolphin, the racing stable of Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

It was quite a weekend for the sheikh. His filly, Good Cheer, won the Kentucky Oaks on Friday and earlier Saturday, Ruling Court won the 2,000 Guineas in Britain.

Sovereignty covered 1¼ miles in 2:02.31 and paid $17.96 to win at 7-1 odds.

Journalism found trouble in the first turn and jockey Umberto Rispoli moved him to the outside. He and Sovereignty hooked up at the eighth pole before Sovereignty and jockey Junior Alvarado pulled away.

Baeza was third, Final Gambit was fourth and Owen Almighty finished fifth.

Rain made for a soggy day, with the Churchill Downs dirt strip listed as sloppy and horse racing fans protecting their fancy hats and clothing with clear plastic ponchos.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Zilisch to miss Xfinity race in Texas after wreck

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Zilisch to miss Xfinity race in Texas after wreck

FORT WORTH, Texas — Connor Zilisch, the 18-year-old driver already with two NASCAR Xfinity Series race wins, will miss Saturday’s race at Texas because of lower back injuries sustained in a last-lap wreck at Talladega.

Trackhouse Racing said Wednesday that its development driver will return as soon as possible to the No. 88 JR Motorsports Chevrolet. The team didn’t provide any additional details about Zilisch’s injuries.

Cup Series regular Kyle Larson will drive the No. 88 in Texas. After that, the Xfinity Series has a two-week break before racing again May 24 at Charlotte.

Zilisch, sixth in points through the first 11 races, was driving for the win at Talladega Superspeedway when contact on the backstretch sent his car spinning, and head-on into inside wall.

Zilisch won in his Xfinity debut at Watkins Glen last Sept. 14. He added another win this year at Austin, the same weekend that he made his Cup Series debut. He has six top-10 finishes in his 15 Xfinity races.

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