Our Comprehensive List Of Head Coaching Candidates

Submitted by Mr. Yost on


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.

Mr. Yost

September 28th, 2014 at 6:50 AM ^

I don't think Cowher is even a remotely realistic option, but one name I didn't list because it still seems extremely unrealistic, but I could be swung if someone wanted to make an argument is Gruden.

He's from Sandusky, OH. He's a Notre Dame guy which usually translates comparatively to Michigan as well. And being from OH always translates comparatively to Michigan. He's been in the booth awhile, but he's starting to do more college "stuff" with the QB camp and calling bowl games. Tirico, his partner in the booth on MNF would be an ally and would probably be begging him to go to Michigan if he was interested...he's lived in Ann Arbor for years and he's a big Michigan fan. Especially if Brandon was fired and Tirico liked the new AD.

I'm sure Tirico thinks highly of Warde Manuel...he currently has two basketball national championship teams and he did pretty solid things for football at Buffalo before moving to UConn (hell, he got Michigan to play @UConn which is a feat for any AD).

Again, he's on the unrealistic list for me, but he's not as farfetched as some other names that will likely be mentioned.

And I probably mentioned some names that should be on the unrealistic list, if I did, it's likely because I didn't know enough about that coach (especially the NFL guys) and as soon as someone makes a solid point on why it's unrealistic --- I'll remove the name.

Mr. Yost

September 28th, 2014 at 7:04 AM ^

  1. I removed anyone that seemed tied to a particular school, conference, area, etc. - even Mike Gundy, I went to add him and I didn't know he was an Oklahoma St. alum. Or Whittingham at Utah has been there forever, he's not leaving now. Mendenhall at BYU wouldn't make sense either.
  2. I removed anyone that would require a complete overhaul of the program (basically Auburn, Rich Rod and Oregon) - I don't think Air Raid or a passing spread requires a complete overhaul.
  3. No one directly from MSU or OSU...because, well, duh
  4. Fisher, Saban, Sumlin, Briles, etc. --- all left off. Sure, anyone has a price, but we're going to try to be at least somewhat realistic
  5. I removed some coaches because they just got somewhere and they don't seem like they're going to leave right away (i.e. Sark at USC or Petersen at Washington)
  6. I left off the old names: Schiano, Ferentz, Edsell and Fitzgerald...it's just time for someone new and these guys have been the conservative rumored candidates since 2008.

elm

September 28th, 2014 at 7:32 AM ^

Since this is intended to be an inclusive list, you really should include Schiano.  He may be a conservative choice, he may be aname that has been bandied around forever, but he's a serious candidate with a real shot of being the next HC.  The other three names at #6, I'm comfortable leaving off because I don't think any are at all likely for various reasons.

Perkis-Size Me

September 28th, 2014 at 8:27 AM ^

I'm a Bucs fan, and I don't want this tool anywhere near Michigan. He already destroyed one of my teams. I don't need him to do further damage to another one.

Besides, I never saw what everyone liked about Schiano. Really, what did he accomplish at Rutgers? Yeah he made them competitive and won some bowl games, but he never won a championship of any kind. Not to mention the fact that he crashed and burned in the NFL and made every coach hate him with the way he handled victory formations.



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elm

September 28th, 2014 at 8:52 AM ^

I'm not disagreeing with you, but he has a credible resume and is likely to get real consideration for the job.  Maybe I misunderstand the purpose of this list, but I didn't think it was a list of people we wanted for the job, just a list of people who could be called candidates for the job.  Schiano definetely falls into the latter category, for good or for ill.

EGD

September 28th, 2014 at 9:29 AM ^

Exactly. From what I have been able to gather poking around the internet, Schiano is currently out of a job and was last seen consulting with the Arkansas Razorbacks or something. I'd have to think he'd have serious interest in a high-profile college job.

wesq

September 28th, 2014 at 8:02 AM ^

Why would we eliminate anyone from MSU or OSU?  Bo is an obvious example, Moeller too.  Duffy Daugherty is one going the other way.  Those aren't direct hires from a rival, but I don't get why we would elimante someone who probably understands better than most what it takes to win here.  Pat Narduzzi is reveared in Lansing and respected as a defensive mind throughout college football.  How could he not even make the list?  Are we scared he might turn us down? 

Mr. Yost

September 28th, 2014 at 11:10 AM ^

...Just look at who is on their staff and it's obvious.

Narduzzi and Fickell are your two options.

Narduzzi isn't coming to Michigan, ever. He HATES Michigan. And do you want Fickell?

It seems obvious to me...that's why I said no MSU or OSU. Toss ND in there as well. It's not like Kelly just got to ND, he's tearing it up and Butch Jones is on his staff. It's not like Dantonio is on Tressel's staff and it's clear you may have a shot.

None of those rival schools have head coach options worth pissing people off for. They're all out IMO.

Victor Valiant

September 28th, 2014 at 12:00 PM ^

How do you know Narduzzi HATES Michigan? Moeller played at Ohio State and Bo coached there. Don't you think they HATED Michigan as well? The hate one feels for an opposing team is typically contrived and learned, not earned. Bo fell in love with Michigan once he came here, as I suspect Moeller did. I'm 100% sure Narduzzi would accept the Michigan HC job if offered, and I would be extremely happy with that. 

Not wantng Fickell goes without saying, but I'll say it anyway.

wildbackdunesman

September 28th, 2014 at 12:06 PM ^

How do you know he truly hates Michigan?  How do you know it isn't the "rivalry."  I am sure some could have said that Bo hated Michigan back when he was an OSU assistant coach.

If we offered Narduzzi a mountain of cash, equivalent to 10 times his current salary, with a guaranteed payout and performance bonuses, he would have to at least consider it long and hard - after all does he have a family to take care of?

Mr. Yost

September 28th, 2014 at 11:12 AM ^

He's not coming to Michigan. As awesome as you think it would be...he hates Michigan. He's said he hates Michigan and it's way unrealistic to think he'd ever come to Michigan.

You may as well say Dantonio is coming because they're in the same boat. Toss Kelly and Meyer in there with them.

ChalmersE

September 28th, 2014 at 11:26 AM ^

I suspect if someone had interviewed Bo Schembechler or Gary Moeller 10 years before they arrived at Michigan, they would have said they hated Michigan.  If you're an Assistant at MSU or OSU, it's de riguer to say that. I suspect a $4 million a year offer and Narduzzi would be willing to say, "Hate State".

jbibiza

September 28th, 2014 at 8:38 AM ^

Great post - thanks.   I know Malzahn has no shot of coming here, but to take him off the list as a "complete overhaul" guy is the wrong reason.  You really wouldn´t want to see THAT offense at Michigan?   Addazio´s neolothic offense is OK, but Malzahn is too much for us...  cumong. 

 "Complete Overhaul" sounds pretty good to me right now... and Malzahn did it in Year One with players recruited for Loeffler´s stodgy offense.  I´d take him in a heartbeat... but it ain´t happening.

BornSinner

September 28th, 2014 at 9:12 AM ^

Point 3 is so dumb I don't even know what to say given we have hired a very important person once that had roots from OSU... 

Why would we not consider Narduzzi? Ever think that maybe he's waiting for the perfect job to open up that's not UCONN?  It would breathe life back into our lifeless rivalries, not to mention he has an impeccable defensive resume and fire. 

Oh not to mention he works in the box and comes down to the sideline MID GAME when needed, aka no stupid debate over whether sitting in the box or standing on the sideline would be detrimental to the team. 

PDX Blue

September 28th, 2014 at 10:49 AM ^

To me there is a vast difference between hiring someone with ties to MSU or tOSU vs someone currently on staff there. The former is plausible. Bo was not at tOSU when he took the Michigan job.

Jinxed

September 28th, 2014 at 9:36 AM ^

Dave Doroen.. improved NIU after Kill left for Minnesota and took them to a BCS bowl. Despite having a terrible first season at NC State has them on the upswing. Plus, he's easily poachable since NC State can't really compete with us as far as football goes. 

alum96

September 28th, 2014 at 11:00 AM ^

Hey you took my idea from yesteray! :P

I am going to write a diary in the next 24 hours on Todd Graham.  I know you don't like his "baggage" but he has never had any sanctions so the "downside" to him are more emotional.  Namely - he has left jobs too early and not in the most pleasant ways.  That wont affect us as there will be no job left other than 2-3 in CFB to leave early for (Alabama), unless its for the NFL.  And if he has done good enough things for us to leave to those type of areas, we should be thankful.

Even better - in my diary I am going to make the case (based on data) he is the closest thing to Sumlin that we can get - and Sumlin is right now the hottest candidate in CFB.

Mr. Yost

September 28th, 2014 at 11:29 AM ^

#3 is #3 because Meyer, Fickell, Kelly, Dantonio and Narduzzi are your ONLY options on those teams. NONE of them are realistically coming to Michigan. So for as much as some of your love Narduzzi, it's not happening. He hates Michigan and if he wants to be a HC, he can get a great job at a school where he doesn't have to play for his mentor's in-state rival...and a school he personally can't stand. 

It has nothing to do with MY preference, it has everything to do with the fact that none of those guys are coming to Michigan. So we may as well move on now.

Also, I'm talking CURRENT coaches at OSU, MSU and ND (hence the names above)...not anyone who's ever had ties to those schools.

Like I said in another post. If Narduzzi left with Dantonio to go to Tennessee awhile back, and they'd been there for awhile with the same level of success. Sure, I maybe could see him back at Michigan as a HC. But right now? Leaving your mentor who's still coaching to go coach his in-state rival, a team you hate, a team you've said you hated, a team you've talked shit about to all the in-state HS coaches. How are you going to go back to them and say "haha, I was just kidding, Michigan was always a great school and always better than MSU, please let your player come to Ann Arbor?"

It just ain't happening on so many levels...first level being that Narduzzi openly doesn't like Michigan.

Maize and Blue…

October 2nd, 2014 at 4:21 PM ^

But have only gotten a lukewarm reaction with people telling me that his school has an unfair advantage in accepting higher level transfers, thereby dismissing his coaching record, and his candidacy for the job. Who you say ? Lance Leopold H/C Wis.Whitewater record 95-6, W/P .941, 5 National Champs in 7 years, 29-1 playoff record, worst year finished 10-3. He is not the only one with an unfair advantage, don't we rag the SEC all the time for paying their players, Ole Miss. ect ?

Voltron is Handsome

September 28th, 2014 at 8:09 AM ^

I think every fan base needs to stop mentioning Bill and Jon. Neither have zero interest in NCAA coaching and quite frankly, I don't think any are good fits. Jon has a whopping three years as an assistant coach in NCAA and Bill a whopping zero. Neither have coached in a long time, too.

Mr. Yost

September 28th, 2014 at 6:52 AM ^

He's resume definitely warrants him on the list, but I left him off because I personally think he's an SEC guy. He wanted to go to UGA for family reasons, I can't see him leaving and going to Ann Arbor, MI.

That said, I'd certainly add if someone else agrees. It's not my list, but just sharing my opinion why I initially didn't have him. I should probably do the same for a couple other people that are going to be mentioned as well.

mfan_in_ohio

September 28th, 2014 at 8:42 AM ^

Right now we HAVE no offense. And while the offense at BC is run-heavy, it certainly worked against USC. Addazio has a history of success, including taking Temple to a bowl win. Since his current AD is a definite candidate for our AD spot, we should definitely consider him as a candidate.

jbibiza

September 28th, 2014 at 9:22 AM ^

Calling Addazio's offense "run-heavy" is like calling Charlie Weis "chubby".  The first time we got behind and kept running into the line he would be booed into Bolivia.  We want to get on the right side of history - to look like the smart guys on the field... not the clueless... not the plodders.

It starts with things like Tempo, imaginative offense, shield punting etc..   Addazio is the antithesis of where we need to go... Hello Dan Mullen!   

Mr. Yost

September 28th, 2014 at 7:13 AM ^

Who is this guy...anyone know? I read his bio and it's pretty impressive. I'll tell you what, I'd feel a hell of a lot better about our offensive line! That's for damn sure.

Spavital feels like he's going to be a star in 3-4 years, but Michigan isn't the type of program to take that kind of chance. But I could totally see him being the next great young coach. To me, he's in that Sumlin role when we hired Hoke. He was good, but he was at Houston and only a year in. Or Briles had just started to get Baylor rolling. Strong was a big time coordinator, but he had no HC experience. Franklin too. You knew they'd all be good, but all seemed too green.

Nowadays, I think it's easier to take a shot on the young, promising coach who's going to bring energy, creativity and life to your program. The old NFL way of hiring retreads is out the window.

 

AnthonyThomas

September 28th, 2014 at 7:13 AM ^

BC just lost at home to Colorado State (led by Dee Hart coincidentally). Adazzio is basically Hoke 2.0.

Surely the school will be under the kind of pressure that warrants giving one of the Harbaughs a blank check?

I'm not sure what other options there are. Don't think SEC/ACC coordinators will be all that interested in coming up here. The B1G is shit and they currently get to recruit the most talent laden region in the history of prep football. Guys like Chad Morris can wade out for better jobs down south. Harbaugh (either one) is the only realistic hire that would excite me. 

Mr. Yost

September 28th, 2014 at 7:16 AM ^

...at the end of the day, I think we're almost in the same boat as '07-'08 and '10. The pool just isn't very deep. Just another bad year to hire a coach unless you're an SEC school.

We're basically Harbaugh or bust, because there are a lot of names on that list that flat out aren't coming. There are others that just hired good hires.