CC - Where do you stand?
The AD change has happened, and most everyone expects a coaching change to follow. I don't know about you, but my views have evolved quite a bit since the whole CC bit started in earnest after Minnesota. Most of that change has been the result of research into the candidates, but some has also been feelingsball.
I'm curious to see what everyone else thinks. Here's my current opinion, broken into tiers:
Tier 1 - Harbaugh
Jim or John, I'd be equally ecstatic with either. Jim is the proven college HC, John is the nicer guy with the SB ring.
Tier 2 - Yes, please
These are the guys that I believe are the best candidates not named Harbaugh.
- Dan Mullen - Offensive guru who has built a defensive juggernaut. Appears to be the total package and has the added bonus of echoing the Woody/Bo relationship vis-a-vis Meyer. My top choice in tier two.
- Todd Graham - All he is does is win, wherever he's coaching. Not sure he'd move to the midwest.
- Gary Patterson - Defensive coach that decided to evolve offensively this year and is knocking on the playoff door. Would overhaul the roster as much as anyone.
- Jim McElwain - Former 'Bama OC has turned Colorado State (3-9 for three straight seasons before McElwain) into a double-digit win team that has progressed steadily on both sides of the ball and will probably win the Mountain West.
Tier 3 - Ummm...okay
Guys that make sense, I guess, but I would not be pumped about.
- Mark Stoops - Has rapidly advanced a once-pathetic Kentucky team. Will the improvement continue?
- Greg Schiano - Demeanor aside, his HC record is good, but certainly not great. Is he a good coach?
- Tom Herman - My favorite coordinator candidate. He seems capable of adapting to his personnel and changing the plan mid-game. Also, I like the idea of taking Urban's top assistant. But can he run an entire program?
- Mike Gundy - Seems like a good coach and a great quote, but hasn't been amazing since 2011 and the Les Miles ties cocern me. Would he run a clean program?
- Kyle Whittingham - Having a pretty impressive season at Utah, and wasn't too stubborn to change his offense. Is he ready for a big-time job?
Tier 4 - DO NOT WANT
- Les Miles - Call me arrogant, naive, or whatever you want--I still don't want a douchebag running our program.
- Dave Doeren, Butch Jones, Craig Bohl, Matt Wells, Mark Hudspeth - Not proven yet.
- Scott Frost, Kirby Smart, Bud Foster - Would they stay?
If I didn't put a name on the list, I'm not currently interested. What does the board think?
November 5th, 2014 at 4:24 PM ^
Of all the things I think of when I hear Miles' name scumbag doesn't come to my mind. And even if he has to bend the rules a little I really don't care anymore because 99% of good coaches in college football are scumbags in one way or another.
November 5th, 2014 at 5:23 PM ^
If the rumors about Miles having indirectly caused Gary Moeller's firing are true, then that strikes me as extreme scumbag behavior that should disqualify him from consideration.
Also, kicking a kid off your team after he's already moved into his dorm room just because you signed too many players is low, man. I don't have a problem with coaches who bend NCAA rules or look the other way while their players take a $100 handshake here and there, but when you're doing something sleazy that harms a kid who has come to play for you, you're a scumbag.
November 5th, 2014 at 3:36 PM ^
Scott Frost, Kirby Smart, Bud Foster - Would they stay?This wouldn't be my concern; Michigan is a destination job in most peoples' minds. My much bigger concern would be whether these guys would actually make good head coaches given their lack of experience.
November 5th, 2014 at 3:41 PM ^
outside of Harbaugh that I'd be cool with:
1G Patterson
2Mullen
3Miles
4Kirby Smart
November 5th, 2014 at 4:12 PM ^
He's not A Harbaugh but I would hire him right after both of them passed on the opportunity.
November 5th, 2014 at 4:13 PM ^
Harbaugh vs. Meyer would have the makings of a new 10 Year War. Yes, please.
Any other hire =
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
November 5th, 2014 at 4:36 PM ^
Why is this guy even being considered ?
He had one good year at Rutgers (06) when he had Ray Rice, and two mediocre years (09,11), the rest of his college career is a tire fire, with a Hoke like 68-67 record before going to a desperate Buccaneer team, where he failed miserably, and was fired out of the NFL after one year. I live in the Tampa Bay area, so I have seen this guy close up, he is a lousy coach with no imagination, and would be a lateral move at best.
November 5th, 2014 at 4:40 PM ^
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November 5th, 2014 at 4:48 PM ^
November 5th, 2014 at 4:56 PM ^
November 5th, 2014 at 8:50 PM ^
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November 5th, 2014 at 4:58 PM ^
November 5th, 2014 at 5:05 PM ^
November 5th, 2014 at 5:51 PM ^
So you don't want Les Miles who graduated from here,played under Bo and is a top 5 coach in the country cause you think he's a douche bag? But you will take Schiano and Graham both who are known jerks? I know Les Miles have met him many times. I am wondering what makes you think he's a douche bag? Do you know him? Have you ever had dinner with him? Have you ever spent any time talking with him? Or is the only reason you think he's a douche bag is cause a bunch of people on message boards heard from there aunts,third cousin on her husbands side that he banged somebodies wife or said something negative while recruiting a player? I only ask cause I have found that 98percent of people on Michigan boards who say they don't like Miles do so with out ever meeting or talking with the guy ever in their entire life.
November 5th, 2014 at 6:14 PM ^
coach is announced, I picture absolute jubulation if that name is Jim Harbaugh. Nothing could please me more, except winning a huge lotto drawing.
Then I think about the other top names on the list, Mullen - ehh; Patterson ok, but ehh.
If it is reported that Harbaugh turned them down or took an NFL job before we could get him, I'd be pissed, but relieved and okay if Les Miles was named the next coach. I was thrilled when all the talk was of Miles getting the job when Herbie broke the story.
If JH doesn't take it, I want Miles. That would be my second choice when I really get down to it.
We need a big splash coach and other than JH, Miles is second on that list. He coaches here for 4-5 yeears, retires and hands the keys to Cam Cameron.
If everyone makes mistakes and gets second chances, then Les Miles deserves one. He's the only guy that has a 50/50 chance at beating Saban straight up. Anyone else is 30% on their best day.
November 5th, 2014 at 7:57 PM ^
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November 5th, 2014 at 8:45 PM ^
You have got to be fucking kidding. Brady Hoke's record prior to Michigan is spectacularly better than Cameron's HC record.
The only reason Cameron is ever mentioned by UM fans is ONLY because he was an assistant here. If he had been an assistant at another school instead, his HC record would merit precisely zero attention.
November 5th, 2014 at 8:20 PM ^
Are there any facts to the Les Miles is a douchebag line of thinking?
November 5th, 2014 at 8:41 PM ^
Jim Harbaugh or self-immolation.
November 5th, 2014 at 8:42 PM ^
Honest question. I see a lot of people posting that Jim Harbaugh is definitely not coming here. Where does that certainty come from? Everything I've been reading seems to indicate it's not an unrealistic proposition--maybe even plausible--but all of it speculation. I can understand if one has the opinion that it is unlikely Jim Harbaugh ends up here, but the way it's presented as a fact--eg, "Jim H is not coaching Michigan so get over it"--that makes me wonder if I'm missing something that other people know. Did I miss something? What informs those opinions that Jim isn't coming here?
November 5th, 2014 at 8:56 PM ^
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November 5th, 2014 at 11:18 PM ^
November 10th, 2014 at 6:22 PM ^
Tier 1 - Jim Harbaugh
Tier 2 - Les Miles, Gary Patterson
Tier 3 - Dan Mullen, John Harbaugh, Todd Graham
Tier 4 - Mike Gundy
Not interested in deviating from this list unless an unexpected name becomes available. So we need to call Bob Stoops. Call Malzahn. Call Art Briles. What's the worst that can happen? They say no. Big whoop.