5 Other Head Coach Candidates
Les Miles:
If there is in fact a new AD at the end of the season (as is almost guaranteed), Les Miles likely jumps to the top of the list, even at the age of 61. I'm going to have to disagree with our fearless leader on this one, I think Les is the top candidate. If Ward Manuel becomes the new AD, I think Michigan fans should prepare for the Mad Hatter to come north. "I'll never say no to Michigan", and I think that comes to fruition this time. Although if I were the AD, I'd like Les to answer for this: "I'll never forget what he said," Weems said. "He had that twinkle in his eye as he often does and said, 'Why would anybody leave LSU to go to Michigan?' I knew we had our guy."
http://www.thenewsstar.com/story/sports/college/lsu/2014/08/30/miles-ma…
Jeremy Pruitt
Given his age, pedigree, and ability to recruit, Pruitt's name could likely be at the top of any number of school's coaching searches. If Michigan wants to go into a new direction, this would be the guy they should go with. Has been wildly successful at Bama, Georgia, and now FSU.
Philip Montgomery
Art Briles too old? Then how about his offensive coordinator? He's considered "cutting edge" in the rise of the passing game, and he runs the fastest-paced offense in the country. Wildly popular name right now, and he likely makes the jump to head coach this off-season.
Gus Malzahn
He's only making 3.85 million at Auburn, and may consider being in a different state than Nick Saban a good thing. If Michigan comes calling offering between 5-7 million, he may jump. In my modest opinion, this may be a name to watch.
Jack Del Rio
Still one of the best defensive minds in Football, and still relatively young. Given Jim Mora Jr's success, a move to Michigan may appeal to Del Rio.
Other outside candidates
MARK HUDSPETH: Give the guy a chance! God damnit.
October 1st, 2014 at 12:37 PM ^
under Saban before Nuss. In his 3rd year at CSU and seems to have them on the upswing. Just pulled off a big win at Boston College last Saturday. Will be interesting to see how they finish out the year.
October 1st, 2014 at 12:51 PM ^
He'll be a hot name by the end of this season. Only in 3rd season as HC, but took an abysmal program and turned it around quickly. Has 2 national championship rings from time as OC at Alabama under Saban. His last year the offense was the best in Alabama history.
Definitely worth a look. He's a great recruiter, is well respected by HS coaches, and is one of the best QB mentors in college football.
October 1st, 2014 at 3:23 PM ^
...but I doubt he comes to Michigan. He's a west coast guy.
Now that's not me saying he'll stay at CSU over Michigan, lol no. Hell no. But he'll get a job in the Pac 12 here in a minute.
Then again, he was on the staff at MSU.
I see him taking over for Mike Riley at Oregon State or Mike Leach at WSU.
That said, he's been in the state once, I can't say he wouldn't leave here if he came back, but shit...we don't care we just want to get to the promised land.
October 1st, 2014 at 2:24 PM ^
I go to grad school at CSU. Have little free time but plan on getting to at least one game. Dee Hart is here now and playing really well. They play a lot of spread concepts and play it well.
October 1st, 2014 at 5:43 PM ^
He has a couple of NC rings from Alabama. That was a great grab for CSU. Naturally he is close to the coach but I think he will be very successful there based on merit. He is a great back but he was burried sometimes in the depth at Alabama.
October 1st, 2014 at 12:35 PM ^
With the money you'd have to pay Malzahn you're more likely to get a Harbaugh or Sumlin.
October 1st, 2014 at 12:42 PM ^
Adam Gase, the OC for the Denver Broncos. He's from Ypsi. Worked under Saban at LSU, currently works with the one of the best QBs in professional history and has a prolific offense. The two bad marks on his resume would be his stint with the Lions, although he did as good of a job with Kitna as you could, and he graduated from MSU. He's young, great offensive experience and has worked with the best in the game (Saban, Manning).
The MSU doesn't bother me, if it doesn't bother him. Find a winner no matter what....after all, Bo worked with Woody.
An interview would at least be warranted.
October 1st, 2014 at 12:48 PM ^
Gase is another good candidate. Unfortunetly I think he will be an NFL HC next season.
October 1st, 2014 at 12:44 PM ^
Another: Jim McElwain (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_McElwain)
2 National Championships as Alabama OC. Current head coach of CSU, he's turning around a program with very little talent. 52 years old. He spent time as MSU assistant, so he knows the midwest.
October 1st, 2014 at 12:45 PM ^
If there is in fact a new AD at the end of the season (as is almost guaranteed)
Why are people saying this? We have absolutely NO assurance at this point that such a move is going to happen, or is even being considered by the administration.
Money talks (see: Stephen Ross and his endorsement). In the grand scheme of things, the 10,000-student UPetition and "Concussion Spring/March on Schlissel's House" are gnats for DB to swat away.
I want DB gone as much as the next person -- and I'm just as embarrassed by the poor portrayal of my alma mater in the media -- but how and when did we move from hope to assurance?
October 1st, 2014 at 12:52 PM ^
If Malzahn really makes 3.85 million, you could throw 5.5-6 million at him plus he'd be leaving Alabama's shadow to be the king of the big ten.
October 1st, 2014 at 12:57 PM ^
October 1st, 2014 at 2:15 PM ^
How many times do we have to go over that until people realize it? There is virtually no difference between conferences on who they let in. They let borderline guys in here all the time. Stop with the holier than thou bullshit.
October 1st, 2014 at 1:01 PM ^
If we go the Hot coordinator route, what about Scott Frost?
October 1st, 2014 at 1:15 PM ^
October 1st, 2014 at 1:03 PM ^
Minnesota has dramatically improved over the past three Michigan Stadium appearances. The offensive and defensive lines have seen the greatest improvement. They have done this with underwealming talent at the skill positions. His coaching staff knows Midwest recruiting as all previous coaching stops have been in the Midwest. Each school he has coached have dramatically improved in record over his tenure. Yes he has kidney cancer in remission since 2005 and yes he has seizures but his teams improve and his teams win.
October 1st, 2014 at 1:03 PM ^
It's just my opinion but I think Les Miles was riding Nick Saban's coattails at LSU. They won the championship in 2007 and had a good season in 2012 but were clearly outcoached in the championship.
October 1st, 2014 at 1:09 PM ^
Les Miles has gone: 11-2, 11-2, 12-2, 8-5, 9-4, 11-2, 13-1, 10-3 and 10-3. That's pretty solid imo.
October 1st, 2014 at 1:16 PM ^
Agreed, and being outcoached by Nick Saban should not disqualify you from the job. Sure, LSU fans might want him gone because he is in Saban's shadow, but the guy has been undeniably successful.
October 1st, 2014 at 1:04 PM ^
In a perfect world Gus would be the #1 choice, but that isn't happening. Miles is too old. Maybe Del Rio, but who knows. Priutt would be intriguing, but he's really tied to the South so it would be a pretty big pull to get him north, and I'm not sure how his recruiting ties would be in the region.
October 1st, 2014 at 1:14 PM ^
we are obligated to mention Jon Gruden. Mods please take note.
October 1st, 2014 at 1:16 PM ^
Top 5 after pipe dreams and no coordinators
1. Bronco Mendenhall
2. Mark Hudspeth
3. Chuck Martin
4. Craig Bohl
5. Chris Creighton
October 1st, 2014 at 1:31 PM ^
October 1st, 2014 at 2:29 PM ^
I'd agree with a Bohl or a Stitt in another world; the guy who comes in here has to be a rally symbol for the program, and that just doesn't seem to be a task you want to hand a guy making a jump to the big time. And let's remember that Tressel took over a powerhouse program that was really only scuttling compared to expectations. Outside of a 6-6 season and an 8-4 year that was full of speculation about him being fired, Cooper had won at least 10 games 5 of the last 6 years.
October 1st, 2014 at 2:51 PM ^
A certain someone was also a great in game coach and won multiple national titles in FBS.
I'd have no problem with it.
October 1st, 2014 at 1:19 PM ^
October 1st, 2014 at 1:26 PM ^
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.
October 1st, 2014 at 1:54 PM ^
BTW, Jeremy Pruitt is currently at Georgia and not at FSU. He would be at the top of my list.
October 1st, 2014 at 1:58 PM ^
Narduzzi with Stitt as his OC.
/s
October 1st, 2014 at 1:59 PM ^
The criteria for the new coach should be as follows:
1. Proven Power 5 winner. As shit as the last 7 years have been, this is still Michigan.
2. Decent human being so he can pass the "Michigan Men win right" bloviation. (So out go the Bobby Petrinos and Mike Leaches and Lane Kiffins).
3. Can actually coach to both sides of the ball, or is guaranteed to bring an assistant that is a sure thing, so we don't see another Shafer/Gerg/Borges/Nuss fiasco.
October 1st, 2014 at 2:00 PM ^
He's rested and ready.
October 1st, 2014 at 2:35 PM ^
But only if we keep Dave Brandon, so Parcells can chew him out every week.
We would have awesome press conferences, (Spurrier you have been warned).
October 1st, 2014 at 2:11 PM ^
Craig Bohl and Jim McElwain
I'd like to see how well they do this year, but I like both of them.
October 1st, 2014 at 2:40 PM ^
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October 1st, 2014 at 2:33 PM ^
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October 1st, 2014 at 2:53 PM ^
Les Miles - I'm inclined to say no, but its certainly a possibility. You can tell that he's got a special place in his heart for Michigan, but I'm just not sure he really wants to leave, especially at this stage in his career. He's got everything he could ever want in Louisiana. Then again, LSU fans are pretty fickle with him. I don't think he'd come here, but then again, he's called the Mad Hatter for a reason. Wouldn't shock me if the third time was a charm. I just don't know how big of an upgrade he'd be. Yeah recruiting would take off, but his offenses are never really THAT good, and he seems to lose a headscratcher game once or twice a year. But, if nothing else, our press conferences would be awesome compared to the mindless nonsense Hoke spouts every day now.
Jeremy Pruitt - Like you said, definitely an option if we want to go the young, energetic, albeit somewhat unproven route. I don't think he has any head coaching experience, although with being at Bama, FSU, and Georgia, he knows what it takes to be at a winning program. He's got several national title rings to prove that. Still, I'd rather see what he does with Georgia's defense throughout the season before I'd give him my stamp of approval. Georgia's defense isn't bad, but its not that good right now, either.
Phillip Montgomery - Don't know much about him, but with what he's been able to do with Baylor's offense over the past few years, I'd take a crack at him. Anything to spark something on offense. Hopefully he can get a good defensive coordinator, though. I'd really rather not have to win a bunch of shootout games.
Gus Malzahn - I'll admit, I laughed a good bit when I saw this one. You're crazy if you think Auburn would ever let him go. He might not be getting paid much now relatively speaking, but if we come calling, Auburn will ante up big time. Football is all Auburn has got, and they will not let Malzahn go after the amazing run they had last year. And as for the whole doesn't want to be in the same state as Saban, well, let's keep in mind that he's undefeated against him right now. I don't think he minds the competition one bit.
Jack Del Rio - I thought his one chance to ever coach college would be last year if USC came calling. Other than that, he's been with the NFL his whole career. I doubt he wants to trade all of that to come to a school he knows nothing about and start recruiting young kids. Could be wrong, but he's got the mark of a strictly NFL guy.
October 1st, 2014 at 3:01 PM ^
Attilla the Hun - Head Coach
Ghengis Khan - Offensive Coordinator
1984 Terminator - Defensive Coordnator
October 1st, 2014 at 3:17 PM ^
Jeremy Pruitt is certainly intriguing, given his success at Alabama and Florida State (and presuming he continues it at Georgia this year). But we need a "sure thing, slam-dunk" hire, and I'm just not sure a guy who's only proven to be a great coordinator but hasn't yet run a program is a risk we can take right now. That's my concern about Pruitt, Chad Morris, Kirby Smart, Phil Montgomery, Narduzzi, etc. One or more of these guys will turn out to be a great head coach someday, but I think our first choice must be somebody who's run a program. As Hoke shows, HC experience is no guarantee either -- but the real warning sign with him was he'd never been a coordinator anywhere and demonstrated X and O's proficiency. Ideally, you find a guy who's currently a successful HC, even if it's not at a Power 5 school, but also has had some success as a coordinator at a Power 5 program.
That's why Jim McElwain intrigues me so much. Dude clearly did a great job as Bama's OC, and he has that big-program experience under Saban, and is now proving what he can do as a head coach at Colorado St. Even meets the "Midwest ties/experience" criteria, having spent a few seasons in East Lansing.
October 1st, 2014 at 4:43 PM ^
What about Dan Mullen????