If Michigan eventually parts ways with Jason Beck, the search board probably won’t look the way a lot of fans want it to. So if you’re holding out for Lincoln Riley or Steve Sarkisian, that dream stays on ice.
A big-swing NFL hire could certainly enter the conversation if Michigan decides to borrow from Ohio State’s approach. A name like Brian Daboll or Nick Sirianni could be out there, but there are also five candidates that fit better as realistic early options.
One of the cleanest fits is Aaron Roderick, BYU’s offensive coordinator. He already has ties to Whittingham from their time together at Utah, and since landing in Provo, BYU has had just one losing season. The Cougars are averaging 33 points a game, which is 13 more than Michigan is scoring right now.
Dean Kennedy of UCLA is another name worth watching, assuming he doesn’t jump into a head coaching job elsewhere. Kennedy has SEC experience and has worked with Bob Chesney.
UCLA’s rushing game leads the Big Ten and is piling up 233 yards per game, while Michigan is coming in 100 yards behind that number each outing. With Chesney coming from a defensive background, Kennedy handles the offensive play calling, and he’s also helped turn Semaj Morgan into UCLA’s top receiver.
Then there’s Chandler Whitmer, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterbacks coach. He’s considered an up-and-coming name in coaching circles after helping develop Fernando Mendoza.
Troy Bowles could potentially ask his father for a favor and bring Whitmer back to the Big Ten to run the offense for the Wolverines. At 35, he brings both college and NFL experience.
Jedd Fisch is another possibility, though his availability would depend on Washington’s situation. The Washington head coach has built a reputation as a quarterback expert, and he would bring prior head coaching experience to the job, which always carries weight.
He could also be open to coming back to Michigan football, depending on what other opportunities are out there. Still, the only way he becomes a real option is if Washington falls apart.
And there’s Jay Harbaugh, now the Seattle Seahawks special teams coordinator. He’s the wild card of the group because he has never served as an offensive coordinator, but Michigan could view him as a familiar face and even a coach in waiting if everything breaks the right way. It would also give the Wolverines a chance to build what the piece describes as the second Harbaugh Michigan empire.
In Other News...
Michigans Biggest Problem Showed Up Again In Loss To Houston
Michigans trip into a top-10 showdown with Houston quickly turned into a familiar frustration. The Wolverines fell 83-66 after the Cougars took advantage of early foul trouble and the kind of rebounding issues that can unravel a game against a disciplined opponent, then used efficient offense and sturdy defense to control the pace from there.
Michigan kept trying to hang around, but Houston never let the matchup get comfortable. The Cougars stayed composed, pushed the action when it was there and built a lead they protected throughout, leaving the Wolverines with the same glaring problem that has shadowed them before. [Read more 🡒]
Michigan Still Has A Quarterback Problem It Can't Afford
Michigan football is keeping the quarterback picture cloudy for another week. Kyle Whittingham said at his Monday press conference that the Wolverines will not announce a starter for the upcoming game, a sign that the position remains unsettled as the offense works through a rough stretch marked by turnovers and too few scoring chances.
Whittingham still struck a confident note about Michigans overall potential, even while acknowledging the offensive issues that have dragged down recent results. He did not suggest any coaching changes are coming soon, which leaves the focus on whether the Wolverines can clean up the quarterback situation before it costs them another game. [Read more 🡒]
Michigan Already Has One Early Problem Fans Wont Ignore
Michigans first serious test of the preseason offered a quick reminder that exhibition games can still reveal real problems. Against No. 10 Houston, the No. 16 Wolverines had trouble holding up inside and on the glass, areas that matter even more when the competition tightens and the margin for error shrinks. Key frontcourt pieces like Moustapha Thiam and J.P. Estrella were limited offensively, and Michigan never consistently found a rhythm against a Cougars team that controlled the paint from the start.
Houstons edge was reflected in the numbers, as Michigan was outrebounded 42 to 30 and managed just nine made 3-pointers in 33 attempts. Dedan Thomas Jr. led the way with 25 points, while the Wolverines were left sorting through an early reminder that shot-making alone may not be enough if the interior play does not come around. For a team with Big Ten expectations, the bigger concern may be whether this was just one rough night or the first sign of a bigger issue. [Read more 🡒]