Our Comprehensive List Of Head Coaching Candidates
A few notes:
- This is an MGoList - that's why it's "our" list; it's meant to be inclusive rather than exclusive. This isn't an official or unofficial list from somewhere else.
- Coaches will be added or removed if the mention/nomination gets enough support.
- This is really just a resource that I plan to keep up with throughout the year; so that when the time does come...we have a starting point of candidates and comments on many of them.
----COLLEGE COACHES (BASED ON TEAMS CURRENTLY IN THE TOP 25 OR RECEIVING VOTES---
Kirby Smart - http://www.rolltide.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/kirby_smart_350183.html
Jake Spavital - http://www.12thman.com/ViewArticle.dbml?&DB_OEM_ID=27300&ATCLID=2060963…
Dan Mullen - http://www.hailstate.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=90894&SPID=10997&DB_LAN…
Mike Bloomgren - http://www.gostanford.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=749929&SPID=127013&DB_…
Les Miles - http://www.lsusports.net/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=28715&SPID=2164&DB_LANG…
Cam Cameron - http://www.lsusports.net/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=28715&SPID=2164&DB_LANG…
Gary Pinkel - http://www.mutigers.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/gary_pinkel_41662.html
Chad Morris - http://www.clemsontigers.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=657774&SPID=103701&…
David Cutcliffe - http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=22665&SPID=1843&DB_LANG=C&…
Gary Patterson - http://www.gofrogs.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/gary_patterson_88981.html
Steve Addazio - http://www.bceagles.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/steve_addazio_833257.html
----NFL COACHES (BASED ON HEAD COACHING BUZZ...which could be limited to just the NFL)---
Josh McDaniels - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Josh_McDaniels
John Harbaugh - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Harbaugh
Kyle Shanahan - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kyle_Shanahan
Pep Hamilton - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pep_Hamilton
Jack Del Rio - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Del_Rio
Adam Gase - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adam_Gase
Todd Bowles - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Todd_Bowles
Brian Schottenheimer - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brian_Schottenheimer
Teryl Austin - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teryl_Austin
Jim Harbaugh - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Harbaugh
Darrell Bevell - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darrell_Bevell
Dan Quinn - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dan_Quinn_(American_football)
*I used wikilinks just because it was quicker than browsing every team - I'll switch them at a later date.
Feel free to add/delete, make your list of top 10, research the names you didn't know, etc.
September 28th, 2014 at 8:23 AM ^
September 28th, 2014 at 9:05 AM ^
Things will happen is a good way to put it.
September 28th, 2014 at 9:03 AM ^
I'm sure a preacher (what's so great about putting "faith" ahead of football?) who hates on the gays publicly would go over so well at Michigan.
What a horrific idea.
September 28th, 2014 at 8:05 AM ^
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September 28th, 2014 at 8:06 AM ^
September 28th, 2014 at 8:09 AM ^
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September 28th, 2014 at 8:12 AM ^
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September 28th, 2014 at 8:15 AM ^
September 28th, 2014 at 8:19 AM ^
I would consider Narduzzi a solid hire. The only down side is that he has zero head coaching experience. But, I think he could make a great head coach.
September 28th, 2014 at 9:03 AM ^
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September 28th, 2014 at 11:26 AM ^
It's that Narduzzi won't consider us...and we're ALL being too "MICHIGAN" if we think he will. It's completely unrealistic and he hates Michigan, he's said it and it's the in-state rival of the team his mentor CURRENTLY coaches.
If Dantonio left for Tennessee instead of Butch Jones and Narduzzi went with him...and it's been a couple years later, yes, maybe Narduzzi is a viable candidate. But now? Yea right. We need to take off the maize and blue shaded glasses. He ain't coming like Saban isn't.
September 28th, 2014 at 11:32 AM ^
#1 When a coordinator is aligned with a successful head coach you never know who the brain is. You take a big chance by taking the coordinator assuming he is just like the head coach.
#2 If you take a coordinator at UM you are taking someone who has never run a major program. Or run any program. Can UM afford that learning curve at this point?
#3 Dantonio was the leader of the 2002 OSU defense, so he has done it without Narduzzi. So when giving credit to the MSU defense I think you need to be careful about giving most of the credit to Narduzzi.
#4 The highest level job Narduzzi has been considered for were Louisville and UConn. The highest level one he was offered was UConn. And now suddenly he is good enough for UM?
If Narduzzi went to a Boston College or Cincy type program and showed success for 3 years on his own I'd grab him in a moment. The risk factors associated with grabbing any coordinator at this point are too high for this program. No one knows how much Narduzzi is a product of Dantonio right now.
September 28th, 2014 at 8:05 AM ^
September 28th, 2014 at 8:53 AM ^
It's an unfortunate truth, but his medical situation must be considered. I like the guy, but he isn't realistic.
September 28th, 2014 at 8:12 AM ^
September 28th, 2014 at 8:16 AM ^
I don't enjoy saying this, but shouldn't we look at Bielema... He is a proven head coach in our conference that did better than his recruiting would indicate. He is improving Arkansas and he runs an offense similar to the type of players we already have.
I wouldn't mind looking at Narduzzi either, except he lacks head coaching experience, which is a knock on him.
September 28th, 2014 at 8:16 AM ^
September 28th, 2014 at 8:54 AM ^
Can you apply for the soon-to-be open AD position, please?
September 28th, 2014 at 8:55 AM ^
Sorry. Double post.
September 28th, 2014 at 8:18 AM ^
September 28th, 2014 at 8:19 AM ^
September 28th, 2014 at 11:45 AM ^
That's been my pick and I've been saying it to anyone who will listen. It's usually met with "who?" He's the next Brian Kelly, and he's not a complete asshole. He's 46, successful and knows the state.
A fiery, young, up-and-comer from Miami(OH) wouldn't be without precedent....
September 28th, 2014 at 8:24 AM ^
Mike Gundy
Kiliff Kingsbury
Jim McElwain
Scott Frost
Josh Heupel
Justin Wilcox
September 28th, 2014 at 9:11 AM ^
McElwain is an off the board name I like. 4 years with Alabama under Saban helping him turn them in to what they are and should take Colorado State to a second straight bowl after 5 years without one.
September 28th, 2014 at 11:32 AM ^
...I just don't see him coming to Michigan. Seems like a west coach type guy. However, enough support and I'll add him. I do have Kirby Smart on the list who will almost surely stay in the South so I'm being somewhat of a hypocrite. My justification for Smart is that he's not a HC.
September 28th, 2014 at 9:23 AM ^
No to Klingsbury and Gundy... aren't they at their alma maters?
September 28th, 2014 at 10:07 AM ^
Neither is a destination job, especially Texas Tech. Gundy has come close to leaving before so he obviously isn't tied to Ok St.
September 28th, 2014 at 8:33 AM ^
Also, add Craig Bohl to the list. I've championed his name a few times, but anyone can look at what he accomplished at NDSU and can't help but be impressed. That's a dynasty if I've ever seen one. We all said we want a winner? There's one right there. He's older, but also the definition of an up and comer. I bet he'd be interested in coming here.
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September 28th, 2014 at 8:40 AM ^
Craig Bohl is actually 2 years younger than Dantonio. He isn't that old at 56.
September 28th, 2014 at 8:36 AM ^
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September 28th, 2014 at 8:55 AM ^
"In six seasons on collegiate coaching staffs, Spavital has served under Texas A&M head coach Kevin Sumlin, West Virginia’s Dana Holgorsen, Texas Tech’s Kliff Kingsbury and Auburn’s Gus Malzahn."
That's the exact coaching pedigree I'd like to see in our next OC. But he doesn't yet seem ripe for a head coaching job at a school like Michigan.
September 28th, 2014 at 8:38 AM ^
Hire Magnus.
September 28th, 2014 at 8:38 AM ^
He actually cares that we suck.
I know what you're thinking, however,he has the necessary connection with the area, the expertise, and the correct competitive attitude and non-tolerance of stupid play.
He knows people, he has been able to evaluate a lot of teams.
Most of the candidates mentioned are self-centered ego driven career types.
My two cents, (worth less now, then when Brandon played for that coach from Ohio).
September 28th, 2014 at 8:44 AM ^
If I am not mistaken - he only has 1 year of head coaching experience...2-14 in an Arena League.
I would prefer someone with more coaching experience, even if not at the head coach level, like a Narduzzi.
I do like Spielman, but I want someone with more experience.
September 28th, 2014 at 9:38 AM ^
not a coach.
September 28th, 2014 at 10:05 AM ^
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September 28th, 2014 at 8:44 AM ^
September 28th, 2014 at 8:44 AM ^
September 28th, 2014 at 9:04 AM ^
I'm pretty upset now ... I was in denial last night but the more I think about it we're looking at a 2-10 season. If we can't move the ball on Minnesota... we won't move the ball against anyone else.
I have repeatedly denied that he would be interested in coming here. I have repeatedly said he doesn't want to come here, based on current evidence. I never thought I would say this, but I'm saying it.
We have to do something, anything, to get Harbaugh here.
September 28th, 2014 at 9:00 AM ^
...you ask everyone. You never know who may be interested and how much. This is a destination job. Money, prestige, tradition, facilities, community, fanbase, etc. Plus the cupboard would be very full of talented players very hungry to be developed.
Now, coaching salary may be an issue with a lot of the people, but you still ask. If and when they decline, you ask their advice and opinion on who they think would make a great candidate. And there are people you reach out to just for the advice part.
If Brandon and Hoke are still employed at Michigan after the football season is over, I'll be stunned.
September 28th, 2014 at 9:00 AM ^
September 28th, 2014 at 9:03 AM ^
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September 28th, 2014 at 9:05 AM ^
September 28th, 2014 at 9:06 AM ^
He never uses a headset either
September 28th, 2014 at 9:06 AM ^
Sean McDermott
September 28th, 2014 at 9:06 AM ^
Sean McDermott
September 28th, 2014 at 9:06 AM ^
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September 28th, 2014 at 9:16 AM ^
Pinkel, Patterson, and Mullen would all be OK with me.
But I like Pinkel. He's from Ohio, coached at Toledo for 9 seasons (albeit a while ago at 1991-2000). So he has connections, likely, to the midwest recruiting areas/high schools. He's had 4 10-win seasons in the last 7. I looked at his roster to see if he recruited Ohio/midwest consistently, and surprisingly there aren't many. He's doing it with mostly Missouri kids (70% of roster?), Texas, Florida, and Illinois. Change that to Michigan/Ohio, keep Illinois and Florida, then pivot east to the coast instead of Texas (though he could probably still bring a few kids up from TX every year).
Bring Stitt (sp?) in as OC if that makes Brian happy.
Goes without saying that either Harbaugh is preferred.
September 28th, 2014 at 9:16 AM ^