Who will be the next Football head coach?

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Michigan
1

<p>Brandon is gone. It is quite likely that in one month, Hoke will be gone too. Who will be our next HC?</p>

<p>Jim Harbaugh seems to be the favorite at this stage. His record at Stanford and the 49ers is undeniable. He knows how to coach and he knows how to win. He is an alum and understands the Michigan football culture. At 51, he has the energy and drive, but at the same time is probably looking for something permanent. Although some think he is arrogant (which he is) and frown on the comments he made about the academic standards of our athletic department (pretentious much?!), most agree that he would be the best choice...by a large margin.</p>

<p>John Harbaugh (Jim's brother) would also seem like a good choice. Although not as prolific, he has accomplished something that Jim hasn't; winning a championship (Super Bowl XLVII, coaching the Ravens, ironically opposite Jim's 49ers). Again, at 52, he is the right age for the job. </p>

<p>Les Miles was seriously suspected of becoming our HC when Carr retired. There were even rumors that he had accepted the job. Unfortunately, that never happened and Rich Rod was hired instead. While he is likely still interested in the job, I am afraid that at the age 61, he may be too old for it. Also, there is bad blood between Miles and Carr, so I would assume that if Miles were hired, Carr would have to leave the building altogether.</p>

<p>Dan Mullen is a very intriguing prospect. What he has done at Mississippi State is nothing short of incredible. At only 42 years of age, he has the drive and hunger one would like in a coach. He is also likely to relate well with players. He will bring with him excellent recruiting contacts in SEC country.</p>

<p>Guz Malzahn is another very interesting prospect from SEC country. His work at Auburn has been impressive indeed. He has the right age and experience to make him a relatively low-risk hire. </p>

<p>Pat Marduzzi is quite possibly the best DC in the country, no offense to Mattison! He understands the Big 10 well has the right profile/age for the job. Unfortunately, he has no head coaching experience, and that could present a risk.</p>

<p>Did I miss anyone?</p>

2

<p>We need Gus, doesn’t seem like a Michigan kinda guy!</p>

3

<p>Whoever they get, I just hope he uses headphones!</p>

4

<p>A surprisingly good job today against Indiana. If we actually win the next three games, why not Nussmeier?</p>

<p>It has been rumored…at least last year when Nussmeier was hired.</p>

5

<p>it’s indiana…</p>

6

<p>jack, Nussmeier is in charge of an offense that is actually not performing well at all this year. Shutout by Notre Dame and struggled all season long. Besides, he has no head coaching experience. I cannot imagine a scenario where we make this sort of risky hire at this juncture. Had Hoke turned the program around successfully and stayed as coach for the next 3-4 seasons with Nussmeier proving himself to be a highly effective OC, then promoting him to HC could have been an acceptable risk. But at this time, if we were to promote from within, it would be Mattison, not Nussmeier, who would be promoted. But I think Michigan will go for a proven coach, if not one of the 6 mentioned above, then another coach with HC experience and a proven record.</p>

7

<p>If they go internal, you’re right…Mattison would likely be the choice. I will say that I think nobody was going to be able to fix umich offense problems overnight…I think it is still too early to judge Nussmeier.</p>

<p>They might got with Mattison or Nussmeier as an interim coach.</p>

8

<p>While I have no insight or opinion on this topic, it is said that if Hoke were fired that Mattison would leave. I think some think that Nussmeier was hired as insurance against a Hoke firing, that he would interim at some point with a shot at the top job. I don’t think Nussmeier is ready and I’m not at all sure that Mattison has the administrative experience…they’d have to give him a lot of admin support.</p>

9

<p>John Harbaugh would seem to be the better choice: 1) hasn’t done a turnaround, but has had success; 2) less of a loose cannon than Jim; 3) probably more used to crappy weather than Jim who has probably been spoiled by the weather out West; 4) the question for any candidate is whether or not the location would be a fit for their spouse…seems likely it would not work for Jim on that basis.</p>

<p>All of that said, I’m not clear why any successful NFL would dial back to the college game/context. I’ve read that Narduzzi has an antipathy for Michigan-AnnArbor, but that might be jawing by posters.</p>

<p>I’ve read not so good things about both Mullen and Malzahn (sp?) in terms of what they’ve done, their progression, and using the foundation created by others.</p>

<p>While John might be the preference, I wouldn’t count on it. That leaves me thinking that Miles might be plausible…there are older coaches and it comes down not to age, which should bring football intelligence, but energy, and Miles seems like he has the energy. Again, all of that said, there is nothing to suggest Miles would want to come North.</p>

<p>I think your list contains some very desirable candidates, but at this juncture would guess it is someone not on the list.</p>

<p>Key question: What will Michigan pay? I think Hoke is at around $4.5MM but Saban is around $7MM. Given the optics, will Michigan pay even a number as high as the middle of that spread? Schlissel is there sending a few messages about priorities and while he has gotten a crash course in football madness, he is also a guy who might be inclined to dial Michigan back on this front by doing just enough to get a plausible guy who will meet plausible goals. He’s paid some lip service to excellence, but absent an even bigger donation to fund the coaching position, I wonder what he’ll do to step up financially.</p>

10

<p>Mattison might stay if John Harbaugh comes in?</p>

11

<p>Jack, I am not judging Nussmeier. As you say, it is to soon to judge. I was just saying that he is unproven, and Michigan will not go with an unproven coach at this stage, nor will it hire an interim coach, unless Hoke is fired now and a new coach is not chosen until until January. </p>

<p>blue85, under normal circumstances, I agree that Schlissel may not prioritize football, but I also think that he understands the importance of football to Michigan, its students and its alumni. He also knows how desperate the students and fans are right now. Our football team has had 6 bad-horrible seasons in the last 7 seasons. I don’t think he will mess this up.</p>

12

<p>Hate to say it, but right now this is not the dream job it has been in the past… I have heard Jerry Kill’s name floated. He has done a great job turning Minnesota around (as we saw earlier this season - ahem). Not sure he would take the job, though, he seems quite happy at MN. And he seems to have gotten his health issues (epilepsy) stabilized, not sure he would take the M job if he had the chance.</p>

13

<p>intparent, I still think it is a desirable job. The talent is clearly there, as is the ability to recruit more talent. Hoke has not had trouble recruiting top classes. The defense is solid, and with only a moderate improvement on offense, this could be a winning team right off the bat.</p>

<p>As for Kill, although he has succeeded at Minnesota, I think we learned with Hoke that turning a mid-level program around is not the same thing as succeeding at the very highest level. </p>

14

<p>How about Bob Stoops? His name has popped up a couple of times. </p>

15

<p>All i know is that snake Urban Meyer is making it big at tOSU. I’m afraid it’s going to be impossible to compete with them anymore. :-(</p>

16

<p>I do not think it will be impossible to compete with OSU rjk, but gone are the days when Michigan will dominate OSU like it did in the 1985-2000 period. That being said, in order to be competitive, we will have to hire a good coach. I think the Harbaugh brothers, Miles or Stoops would bring that kind of coaching ability and intensity.</p>

17

<p>

Definitely had a smug smile on his face after the MSU win. </p>

<p>I gotta say…I was impressed with MSU’s ribbon scoreboard. <em>I know, I know, blasphemy in here.</em></p>

<p>Alex, why would Bob Stoops leave Oklahoma? More money being offered by Michigan?
I can’t stand Jim Hairball but he’d be fun to watch shaking Urban’s hand after a game. It would be like him and Pete Carroll. </p>

18

<p>Stoops has been at Oklahoma for 15 years. A change of scenery could be just what the doctor ordered. It would seem that if Florida or Michigan come calling, he will listen. Whether he actually leaves Oklahoma is another story altogether.</p>

19

<p>Jim Harbaugh has to be option 1 by a mile.</p>

<p>After him you look at names like Mullen, Patterson, Briles, and I guess Stoops and John Harbaugh to see who’s interested. Stoops’ name has popped up recently but I remain skeptical. If we bring in Joe Castiglione as AD it could get interesting. Miles would be in this group if UM is interested, but I don’t think he’ll get a call.</p>

<p>If those guys all fall through, I think you just bring in Tom Herman and call it a day. The guy can flat out run an offense and is supposed to be a phenomenal recruiter. He’s been successful at every OC stop of his. Other people are calling for Butch Jones or Mike Gundy, but they honestly seem pretty uninspiring.</p>