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 8:50 AM ^
If we don't get Jim Harbaugh then Mullen is the guy...
September 28th, 2014 at 7:48 AM ^
James Franklin left the SEC to come to the B1G, so it can happen, notwithstanding the fertile recruiting geography of SEC country.
September 28th, 2014 at 8:02 AM ^
Vanderbilt is a far cry from the rest of the SEC, even Clemson.
September 28th, 2014 at 8:17 AM ^
Franklin was looked at seriously for other SEC positions the year before he left Vandy for PSU.
September 28th, 2014 at 8:46 AM ^
If the years lined up (as in us being in the market for a coach last year, or Franklin still being at Vandy) would Franklin be the no-brainer, leading candidate - assuming Harbaugh wasn't attainable? I believe he would be. Despite his limited track record I would certainly be on board with Franklin given his ability to win in a near-impossible SEC at a school that is unquestionably academics first.
September 28th, 2014 at 8:27 AM ^
No matter how great the SEC is or thinks it is it will only get at most 2 teams in a playoff. A guy like Dan Mullen has to realize that his chances of winning at Miss St. aren't going to get any better any time soon.
September 28th, 2014 at 7:16 AM ^
project on steroids. nice job.
September 28th, 2014 at 7:19 AM ^
Turned the Lions into the number 1 defense and has a Michigan connection.
Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad
September 28th, 2014 at 8:36 AM ^
Was known as a good recruiter too. But let's see how this season plays out, #1 defense through 3 games isn't on the resume yet.
September 28th, 2014 at 8:48 AM ^
Austin is a name that I believe isn't receiving enough attention. He could be a very real option and not a bad one at that.
September 28th, 2014 at 11:18 AM ^
I always thought he'd take over when Mattison retired and one day become the next HC after Hoke.
I have no problem adding him to this list.
September 28th, 2014 at 7:25 AM ^
I don't think Les Miles is a real candidate. He's too old and very comfortable where he's at. Plus, I bet he's still pissed at the way Bill Martin handled him.
September 28th, 2014 at 8:09 AM ^
LSU isn't comfortable with Miles.
September 28th, 2014 at 7:29 AM ^
If it's an inclusive list rather than a wish list, here are some possible names from non-top 25 schools (not all of them names I support, but possibilities nonetheless):
Ruffin McNeill
Bronco Mendenhall
Mike Hudspeth
Rod Carey
Terry Bowden (Please, lord, no.)
Tommy Tuberville
September 28th, 2014 at 7:48 AM ^
I was going to suggest adding Ruffin McNeill as well. It is probably unlikely, but I do like what he has done at ECU and that offense is exciting.
September 28th, 2014 at 11:23 AM ^
I think it is a good suggestion, and one I made earlier this week as a "candidate in a larger pool" if ECU continues its year. He brings a Mike Leach type offense without the baggage of Mike Leach. I don't know about defensive prowess but he has smoked teams like North Carolina 2 years in a row at ECU (which is Conference USA). If ECU goes 10-2 or something this year I expect his name to be very popular. That said he is like Mike Gundy at OK State and Pat Fitzgerald at Northwestern, an alum etc. But unlike those 2 he is not at a Big 5 conference. But he is worth looking at with a closer eye if this season continues to go well for them.
September 28th, 2014 at 8:53 AM ^
Ruffin Mcneil played at East Carolina so I'm not sure he'd be willing to leave.
September 28th, 2014 at 9:04 AM ^
Hoke also played for Ball State though
September 28th, 2014 at 9:18 AM ^
You might be right, but the pay raise could possibly be too much to pass up.
September 28th, 2014 at 7:38 AM ^
September 28th, 2014 at 7:54 AM ^
September 28th, 2014 at 11:25 AM ^
We all agree on that. Guy has not been in the NCAA in 15 years and is a NFL head coach - one that 10 other franchises would want immediately.
So it is basically John Harbaugh - without a single tie to Michigan.
September 28th, 2014 at 7:43 AM ^
September 28th, 2014 at 7:53 AM ^
At this phase in our 7 years of blah I don't think we go after offensive style as much as we go after best coaching staff available. And don't forget about the defensive minded coaches.
September 28th, 2014 at 8:12 AM ^
We should be cautious about the idea of transitioning philosophies, but overall good coaches make good transitions. Bo, Saban, Miles, Meyer, Harbaugh - look up their first years at all of their stops. Look at their combined second year records. Yost.
I know - make sure we hire the next Saban, obviously. The point is we will see if we ended up having made a good hire based on the results of year two. See RR, Hoke. Eight wins and beating State is likely Hoke's ceiling. Then consider that included Denard and realize how bad things are.
The RR transition was tough but I think that was ultimately more about the culture clash and the dinosaur of Michigan than about a coaching change.
September 28th, 2014 at 12:39 PM ^
was 6-6 with a loss to Louisiana Tech or someone his first year and I think Harbaugh went 4-8 his first year.
September 28th, 2014 at 8:18 AM ^
He had them go undefeated his first year in the league. Having the personnel matters, but coaching is a huge part as well.
Sent from MGoBlog HD for iPhone & iPad
September 28th, 2014 at 9:17 AM ^
September 28th, 2014 at 11:22 AM ^
I'm pretty sure that's almost exactly what Meyer is looking for.
Tressel had Krenzel who could run, Pryor who could run and they got Braxton who's a freak...That's a FAR cry from Navarre, Henne and Threet.
Meyer was set up to succeed from DAY ONE!
September 28th, 2014 at 8:59 AM ^
I think it is fair to say we don't need to do another 180 on the offensive philsophy, but a shift should not set the program back. You can run elements of the spread and have a strong run game.
On defense they are heading in the right direction. The Lions this year on Defense are exhibit A that coaching matters. They are totally decimated in the defensive secondary and are currently rated #1 in total defense and scoring defense.
September 28th, 2014 at 7:52 AM ^
September 28th, 2014 at 7:53 AM ^
I know that you left Saban off the list, but for a couple of reasons I feel he might be worth taking a second look at. Let me pose this.
1. He is familiar with the state of Michigan.
2. He was treated poorly by MSU and has a severe dislike for Urban Meyer.
3. His ego is large enough that you could sell him not on just ressurecting Michigan, but the entire Big Ten Conference. He has ressurected multiple programs and the next logical step for his ego is a conference.
4. His previous OC is already here and his current OC would jump at the chance to take over Alabama so the system wouldn't be a complete rebuild.
5. He has built his connections in the south so recruiting would get a lot easier, not to mention all the NC he has won.
6. $$ should not be an object. Charlie Strong was given $5 Mil to go to Texas, John Harbaugh is making $7 Mil, Jim Harbaugh is making $5 Mil, and Les Miles is making $4.5 Mil. Urban Meyer just got $4.8 Mil for OSU.
Play with his ego and pay the man, can't hurt to try.....but you better turn over the AD before this happens.
September 28th, 2014 at 8:01 AM ^
September 28th, 2014 at 8:19 AM ^
In much the same way Texas did. I'm sure he would be happy to take the phone call then tell his AD that Michigan called and he needs a raise.
September 28th, 2014 at 8:05 AM ^
Saban has more power in Bama than the governor. He is not leaving that job. They would literally give him a blank check if it came to that.
September 28th, 2014 at 8:51 AM ^
I think they'd give him the Governorship?
September 28th, 2014 at 11:19 AM ^
In Birmingham they love the Governor.
September 28th, 2014 at 7:54 AM ^
Calvin Magee?
September 28th, 2014 at 7:55 AM ^
And that is, Stitt Happens
Also, if he does get the job, then quickly wins a Big Ten Title, John U. Bacon can title the book "From Sh*t to Stitt"
September 28th, 2014 at 7:56 AM ^
September 28th, 2014 at 11:24 AM ^
I was saying currently at OSU...no issue with connections.
September 28th, 2014 at 7:58 AM ^
To me there are only 2 candidates: Harbaugh and Miles.
Lets be honest, if those two aren't interested, Michigan has to go make a Jim Tressel-like hiring (Minus the cheating). That's what rejuvenated Ohio State. It's probably what Michigan needs too. It's no longer about how bad or how much a coach wants this job. It's whether or not he can get the job done.
September 28th, 2014 at 7:58 AM ^
September 28th, 2014 at 8:01 AM ^
September 28th, 2014 at 10:30 AM ^
This has been one of my favorite "bar conversations" with my Big Ten basketball friends for a couple years now. If you start thinking about the parallels between the two coaches, there are so many that it's almost eerie.
September 28th, 2014 at 8:02 AM ^
September 28th, 2014 at 8:34 AM ^
September 28th, 2014 at 9:17 AM ^
Because John loves Michigan just as much as his brother Jim. Not to mention last year, reports were leaking out of him being intrigued in the UM job at the end of the season given the Ravens fall off after the Flacco contract. He already won a Superbowl too so unlike Jim the goal is accomplished. Oh and the Ravens are an embarrassment atm and he was the only guy that wanted to cut Rice from the get go. So maybe he'll leave once credible proof is out about the NFL coverup. Still highly improbable.
September 28th, 2014 at 8:03 AM ^
Tony Dungy - stresses that coaches are essentially teachers who put faith and family ahead of football and do not belittle their players or scream at them. ... they remain calm when things go badly. They guide instead of goad.
September 28th, 2014 at 8:11 AM ^
A big no on Tony Dungy.