Hypothetical 2015 Coaching Candidates
I must admit I watched that game on Saturday night and wasn't even really that mad. The state of the football program the last 7 years has made me numb to the pain. Hoke seems like a wonderful guy and is an excellent recruiter - but it should be clear to everyone by now he's in over his head as our coach.
If this season stays in the dumpster (or as a mound of eternal flaming tires) - what coaches would hypothetically be out there to give us hope heading into 2015?
Harbaugh 1 and Harbaugh 2 will always be thrown around - but beyond them, is there anyone with ties to Michigan that would represent a "solid" choice the fanbase could unite behind? I'm struggling to come up with other names - and that's a damn shame since Bo should have left a tree of many disciples that could take this program well into the mid-21st century. But it seems as if most of those flames have died out post-Moeller and Carr.
September 8th, 2014 at 11:08 AM ^
Maybe. Maybe not. All Cowher does is a Sunday show. And I think he fits the UM culture way better than Gruden who fits the USC or Florida culture. Cowher is a midwest guy. He comes from one of 2-3 NFL franchises that are reknown for player development. He is a winner. He is intimidating - even when he smiles. He seems to not have any dirt on him.
If Harbaugh is a pipe dream, I'd make a serious inquiry to Cowher who is still only 57 years old. I dont think we can afford to not try every avenue at this point. Maybe he says no - maybe he has zero passion for coaching. But I'd ask. He'd immediately put an identity on a program who has lost its way and has no identiy other than talking about shit from 30 years ago. Hoke talks about toughness. Cowher is toughness.
September 8th, 2014 at 10:33 AM ^
Seriously though, both of those coaches were hired to D1 programs from D2 or D1AA and they did fine. The key is finding a coach who knows how to win and demands nothing less than excellence from his players. If there is a coach at a lower level who has his team at the top every year and has won championships I could get behind a hire like that. If we focus too much on a few big name guys we may end up having to settle if we aren't able to reel them in.
September 8th, 2014 at 10:37 AM ^
Northwest Missouri State.
September 8th, 2014 at 10:33 AM ^
a Michigan coaching tree after Bo is very telling.
Bo's assistants are all retirement age, and Carr had very few assistants worthy of a head coaching position.
September 8th, 2014 at 10:34 AM ^
but beyond them, is there anyone with ties to Michigan that would represent a "solid" choice the fanbase could unite behind?Goddamnit, can we let the "Michigan Man" thing die already? If Hoke does not ultimately succeed, then I second JDavis' sentiment that the goal of a coaching search should be to hire the best candidate. Period. The only preferences that I would have for the next coach at Michigan would be that he's had prior head coaching experience and he has knowledge of the recruiting landscape in the Midwest. That's it. That said, I don't have the first clue as to who a good candidate might be and I think speculating about Hoke's replacement after Game 2 seems premature.
September 8th, 2014 at 10:34 AM ^
No. No. No.
September 8th, 2014 at 10:34 AM ^
"I will never say no to Michigan" -Les Miles
Let's get a coach who knows how to WIN. Not to mention he's one of the best recruiters and has major ties in SEC land.
September 8th, 2014 at 10:38 AM ^
turns 61 this year. At best you get 6-8 years out of him. Then we do it all over again.
September 8th, 2014 at 10:52 AM ^
September 8th, 2014 at 11:47 AM ^
Exactly. If we get six to eight good years with some long overdue conference titles in there and possibly a playoff spot or two, I'm fine with it. I don't give a shit about years from now. I want to win now.
September 8th, 2014 at 11:49 AM ^
Good. 6-8 years to identify and hire a potential successor while winning some games in the process.
September 8th, 2014 at 1:32 PM ^
I definitely agree. Look at my posting history. Les Miles fits every angle that we as fans would want out of a Michigan Coach.
-He has ties here
-He wins
-He wouldn't 'lower the standards' of Michigan.
- He has a passion for Michigan [similar to Hoke's]
As I type this, why was he not hired in 2011? Does Brandon have beef with him??
September 8th, 2014 at 10:35 AM ^
Hey, wait, how about Mike Babcock? Things are getting restless in the D and I'd hate to see him bolt to Toronto or Montreal. Sure he coaches a completely different sport but I mean does that really matter? Come on, tell me you can't see Babcock leading Jabrill and Shane out of the tunnel, man!
September 8th, 2014 at 10:40 AM ^
I know you're joking, but still, this is so META we are full blown through the looking glass here, people.
I'm done with the site for the day. Things are getting weird.
September 8th, 2014 at 10:42 AM ^
I think I'm going to set things down for a bit and let this blow over...if for any other reason except my sanity.
September 8th, 2014 at 12:11 PM ^
It was nothing more than my little way of poking fun at the hysteria around here. Relax. I am very much of the disappointingly realistic opinion that Brady Hoke will be Michigan's coach in 2015.
September 8th, 2014 at 10:37 AM ^
Anyone think Brady Hoke would be retained as an assistant?
Since this is hypothetical and all.
September 8th, 2014 at 10:41 AM ^
I thought it was just assumed he would be the running backs coach after Fred Jackson retires?
September 8th, 2014 at 11:38 AM ^
Fred Jackson will never retire.
September 8th, 2014 at 10:52 AM ^
September 8th, 2014 at 11:10 AM ^
Recruiting coordinator. That is his strength.
September 8th, 2014 at 10:38 AM ^
Sumlin? David Shaw? Though I doubt either would leave their current situations.
September 8th, 2014 at 10:42 AM ^
He always gets outschemed by good teams.
September 8th, 2014 at 11:44 AM ^
He's just trying to hold together what Harbaugh built
September 8th, 2014 at 12:18 PM ^
Agreed. Did not look too good against Dantonio and Sarkesian.
September 8th, 2014 at 10:46 AM ^
David Shaw would be insane to leave his current situation.
Stanford doesn't have a fan base with delusional expectations, the school is basically an Ivy but can still compete with any school in the country, it's in California, he can make a boatload of money, did I say no delusional expectations?, etc etc.
September 8th, 2014 at 11:07 AM ^
He enjoys living in a state with no income tax that just happens to have the most fertile recruiting base outside of Florida. Ain't goin' nowheres.
September 8th, 2014 at 10:40 AM ^
Let's talk in 10 weeks.
September 8th, 2014 at 10:42 AM ^
There isn't a homerun hire - however, there are diamonds in the rough that can be mined.
Unfortunately, the outcry for the ties to Michigan undermines that type of labor to find a coach capable of kicking ass and taking names.
Harbaugh boys aren't coming here - but IF they did, then I'd go full Cosmo Kramer, sitting at Jerry's window sill looking at the hot naked chick over in the next building.
September 8th, 2014 at 10:45 AM ^
I get so sick of everyone saying with absolute certainty that neither Harbaugh would come here. Jim was very obviously interested in the job (and previously the QB coach position) during our last debacle of a coaching search. He got offered NFL money and took it. Maybe he didn't want to work for DB, who knows. Neither you, I, or anyone else knows what Jim may or may not do, so please quit proclaiming that you know. You don't.
September 8th, 2014 at 10:55 AM ^
back to coach in college. John tried to kick me in the balls, and Jim then lectured me again about the academic programs of the majority of football players.
This was down in NOLA at the Super Bowl.
On a serious note, I'd love Jim Harbaugh here as coach. He might be an asshole, but he would be Michigan's asshole.
Bo was despised in many circles throughout the country and it didn't seem to hurt things.
Harbaugh would straighten shit out wrt to conference rivals and all.
I just don't want to get any hopes up, especially after the follies of 2007 and Pirate Bill.
September 8th, 2014 at 11:08 AM ^
Most highly successful people I've met in my life are assholes. I wouldn't mind having Harbaugh be an asshole at Michigan that brings this program back to respectability.
September 8th, 2014 at 11:25 AM ^
pissing matches with both MD and Urbz. Harbaugh would never shrink away from those guys.
He would be bring confidence, swagger, guts, balls, call it what you will and instill it into the program immediately.
September 8th, 2014 at 12:29 PM ^
Yes, but it's a pipe dream.
September 8th, 2014 at 11:52 AM ^
Yup. I want a fiery coach. I saw Jim going crazy after a bull shit pass interference call yesterday in Dallas. I like that.
September 8th, 2014 at 11:13 AM ^
I don't think its a Michigan thing Timmaayy. I think its just simply pro vs. college and the Harbaughs want to be pro coaches given the option.
September 8th, 2014 at 5:40 PM ^
Jim was clearly interested in the job before the 49ers called. I'm still going to hold out some hope over here...
September 8th, 2014 at 10:58 PM ^
The Harbaugh brothers are hypercompetitive with respect to each other. Jim Harbaugh is not going to quit the pros until he gets his Superbowl ring.
September 8th, 2014 at 10:43 AM ^
We looked ready to pounce after two games last year and fell down, down, down...
Saturday was a weird game and Devin returned to old form. The o-line held up just fine until all ND had to do was pin the ears back and go because we had to pass.
Utah is going to be a huge measuring stick. There good but not world beaters and if we come out and play well and beat them I think we will be on the right track. This team needs confidence and momentum and I think they will get it.
September 8th, 2014 at 10:46 AM ^
But it isn't just two games, is it? It's quite literally, the same shit we've been seeing for three years now. Same. Shit.
September 8th, 2014 at 10:48 AM ^
its about how you look in one game vs another anymore. Its how the program looks and the direction it is going.
September 8th, 2014 at 10:48 AM ^
win and you have momentum goingh into conference play.
Lose to Utah and I think the wheels come off.
September 8th, 2014 at 10:47 AM ^
2 games into the year. However, either Hoke and his coaching team get it together now and improve every week, or he is toast. This is a disgrace. Problem is, if he goes, we will be here in 3-4 more years having the same conversation.
I can't do anything more than support the team and see how it goes. Seems like the most logical approach even though I am sick to my stomach.
The worst that could happen is for former players, fans, students etc. to start piling on and turn this into another RR circus. We will never find a top notch coach that wants to come here.
September 8th, 2014 at 10:44 AM ^
Consider the obvious qualifications:
- Michigan Man
- Played for one of the innovators in college football
- Roots with the program go back to Lloyd Carr
- Wants to be a head coach some time
- Former QB, so would help recruit and develop the talent at the position
What could go wrong?
September 8th, 2014 at 10:45 AM ^
Minnesota
September 8th, 2014 at 10:55 AM ^
Sometimes I read Bleacher Report article for a good laugh. In January 2011, a list of the "top 10 candidates for the Michigan job" came out.
#10 on the list was Desmond Howard. Desmond Howard. And that is why Bleacher Report is banned on this site.
September 8th, 2014 at 10:45 AM ^
his teams are tougher and more physical than any Michigan team in the last decade.
September 8th, 2014 at 10:58 AM ^
You know how some people are dismissing candidates because they coach for their alma mater and wouldn't leave, hypothetically? Multiple that times ten and you have the unlikelyhood of an LDS football coach leaving BYU.