With Dave Brandon gone and the search for a new AD underway, the search for Brady Hoke's replacement is also starting to take shape. While the new athletic director will likely be the one to officially fire Hoke and hire his replacement, Michigan has already started to quietly vet candidates behind the scenes. As things stand, here's how the field stacks up:
Michigan Men Home Runs:
Proven winners with connections to Michigan, these are the guys who most fans would love to see. Despite their ties to Michigan, these should all be considered serious reaches at this point in time
Jim Harbaugh, San Francisco 49ers Head Coach
No surprises here. Michigan would do everything in their power to get Harbaugh if he becomes available, but his situation in San Francisco is still very hard to get a read on. If the rumored divorce with the 49ers does happen after the NFL season ends, Harbaugh will be the most wanted man in football...and Michigan would have to fend off interest from no less than half a dozen other teams and programs to get their guy. A non-starter until his NFL situation changes, but a very interesting possibility to keep an eye on.
John Harbaugh, Baltimore Ravens Head Coach
Jim's older brother might not get as much attention in Ann Arbor, but he's also worth keeping an eye on. A source close to the Harbaughs has told us John "always wishes he could have played for Bo", and after achieving everything possible at the NFL level, he's reportedly very receptive to the idea of a long-term college job. While the Ray Rice saga no doubt complicates any exit from the Ravens, don't forget about the older Harbaugh.
Les Miles, LSU Tigers Head Coach
Miles has been linked to the Michigan job before, and there's no doubt he'll come up this time around as well. While Miles is in the home run category because of his previous successes, we should note that he's far from beloved at Michigan - Lloyd Carr can't stand him, and none of the explanations for why paint Miles in an especially positive light. There are also questions about whether or not Miles can sustain a dominant program, and some of his coaching decisions in recent years have come under heavy criticism. While Michigan will no doubt look at Miles to succeed Brady Hoke, there are enough red flags that we wouldn't hold our breath.
Realistic Candidates:
These are guys who might not guarantee success, but would still be solid hires. Unlike Miles and the Harbaughs, we know they'd all seriously consider the job if the right offer was presented.
Pat Narduzzi, Michigan State Defensive Coordinator
A highly-regarded coordinator who knows the Big 10, Narduzzi is well-liked by the decision-makers in Ann Arbor despite his ties to East Lansing. While most Michigan fans wouldn't jump with joy at hiring a coordinator from Michigan State, this would be a solid - if conservative - hire.
Jim Mora, UCLA Head Coach
Mora is a proven commodity at this point, and his recruiting success at UCLA has been impressive so far. While it won't be easy to pry him out of Los Angeles with his project there still in its infancy, Michigan can offer money that a UC school can't come close to competing with.
Chad Morris, Clemson Offensive Coordinator
One of the fastest-rising coordinators in the college game, it's an open secret that Morris will be moving on to a head coaching job shortly. While he's on Michigan's radar, he won't be strongly considered until Les Miles and the Harbaughs are out of the game...and with so many programs interested in Morris, it's unlikely he'll still be around by then.
Dark Horses:
You might not have heard them linked to the Michigan job yet, but they've gained steam over the past few weeks despite how improbable the hire might seem.
Mark Richt, Georgia Bulldogs Head Coach
Richt's popularity with the Georgia faithful is waning, and we're hearing that a change of scenery could be in the cards soon. Richt has said he feels like after 15 years at UGA, he can't win over any new fans...and that doesn't sound like the words of someone who wants to retire in Athens. Richt isn't one of Michigan's top targets at the moment, but they're keeping an eye on his situation at UGA.
Pat Shurmur, Philadelphia Eagles Offensive Coordinator
Shurmur wants another head coaching job, whether it's in the NFL or in college. It's starting to look like few NFL jobs will be available this offseason (at this point, Oakland and Chicago are the only guarantees), and Shurmur is an Ann Arbor native with strong roots in the state. While those roots pull more strongly towards Michigan State than Michigan (he graduated from MSU and coached there for a decade), it's hard to see him turning down the Michigan job if it was offered. We've heard Shurmur's name more and more over the past few weeks - definitely one to keep an eye on.
If They Make The Hire, Ann Arbor Will Burn
Greg Schiano
Schiano was a serious candidate to take over for Lloyd Carr in 2007, and there are rumors he's still interested in the job he turned down back when he was actually in demand. As much as Schiano would love to take a mulligan on his 2007 decision, we're told that Michigan has absolutely zero interest...which is really in everyone's best interest.
Other Names To Watch:
Tyrone Wheatley, Buffalo Bills RBs Coach
The former UM standout isn't a strong contender this time around, but he's definitely one to watch for the future. Many in NFL circles consider him a rising star.
Cam Cameron, LSU Offensive Coordinator
While plenty of fans would bristle at the idea of hiring a coordinator, Cameron has years of NFL coaching experience and already coached at Michigan for over a decade.
Mike Shanahan, Former NFL Head Coach
The former Broncos and Redskins HC is reportedly "very interested" in coaching at either Michigan or Florida. So far, we haven't heard anything to suggest that the feeling is mutual.
Mike Gundy, Oklahoma State Head Coach
Gundy, a former Les Miles assistant, has been linked in the media in recent weeks...but like a few of the other names here, he's pretty far down Michigan's list.
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