Michigan Coaching Speculation

[808 Buck]

Not sure how the mods want to handle this, but I wouldn't mind having a thread to discuss this topic, rather than individual threads popping up all over. Obviously, Miles is a leading candidate. I'd throw DeBord and English's names in there, if 6xLoyd has any say in the matter. Brian Kelly may be a player. I will be interested to see if any UM people are still interested in Harbaugh. Keep any eye on Mike Trgovac, (ex-UM player, Panthers DC, another Youngstown product). Another interesting thing to watch is the hiring process itself - selection committee members, establishment of a timetable, and so on. Most of the qualified candidates will still be involved in their season, so you have all types of issues arising from that (ethically, current recruits, local fanbase/media questions). A lot of eyes on Ann Arbor over the next few weeks.

[osugrad21]

DFP

CHRIS SPIELMAN: Michigan needs 'high energy' guy; maybe consider Harbaugh?

November 19, 2007
FREE PRESS STAFF
Former Lions linebacker Chris Spielman, who can be heard on WBNS-AM (1460) in Columbus, Ohio, talked with WXYT-FM this past week before the Michigan-Ohio State game:
On whether this is Lloyd Carr?s last game: ?I get that feeling. ? I think he?s tired, I think if he wants to coach he?s a good coach. Some people might disagree, but I think he does a good job. I just think Lloyd Carr is going to retire when he feels that?s what?s best for Michigan, not necessarily what?s best for Lloyd Carr. And so I kind of get the feeling that he is, but who knows? We?ve talked about that last year, the year before. It?s going to be Coach Carr?s decision but it almost seems like this is the time to do it and if you?re a Michigan fan and a Michigan player, what better way to send your coach out with a victory over Ohio State??



Cont...

[osugrad21]

DFP
THE CANDIDATES: Who will replace Carr? The men U-M might consider

November 19, 2007
FREE PRESS STAFF SERVICES
Les Miles; Louisiana State head coach
PRO: Former U-M player under Bo Schembechler and assistant coach has spoken in the past of his desire to coach in Ann Arbor. Is considered open to any type of offense and defense and has a history of hiring top coordinators. LSU is ranked No..1 and is a strong recruiter. Also won as Oklahoma State coach.
CON: Timetable is an issue because if the Tigers stay No..1, they will play in the BCS title game Jan..7. He?s unlikely to leave during a championship run and U-M might need a coach sooner. LSU can make a strong financial push to keep him if he wins title. Faces $1.25 million buyout to come to U-M (but $0 for any other school).

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Kirk Ferentz; Iowa head coach

PRO: Rebuilt Iowa into a Big Ten title contender, was hired at Iowa by U-M president Mary Sue Coleman, is close with Carr. Has NFL experience as an assistant. Knows the Big Ten. Has strong defensive teams and has recruited elite talent out of Detroit area. Clean reputation in recruiting and regarding NCAA rules.

CON: Has struggled this season to a 6-6 record and faced a number of off-field problems with his players. Makes nearly $3 million a year, almost double what Carr makes.

Mike DeBord; U-M offensive coordinator

PRO: Knows ins and outs of U-M?s program, would likely be able to keep U-M?s strong recruiting class, would probably keep the staff mostly intact. Was Division I head coach at Central Michigan. Close friend of Carr.

CON: Struggled at CMU (12-34). U-M offense failed to meet preseason expectations this year. Might be too close to Carr, not enough change for some observers.

Ron English; U-M defensive coordinator

PRO: Defense has played strong for long stretches during his two seasons as coordinator. Is an excellent recruiter and is dynamic, especially on the West Coast. Loved by his players.

CON: No head coaching experience. Defense has suffered major breakdowns at end of last season and beginning of this one.

Jim Harbaugh; Stanford head coach

PRO: Former U-M quarterback. Longtime NFL quarterback. Was ultra-successful at non-scholarship University of San Diego in a scholarship league. Has turned around Stanford in just first year, upsetting then-No..1 USC.

CON: Publicly criticized U-M football program for its academic standards this summer. Has only one season of Division I coaching.

Jeff Tedford; California head coach

PRO: Is considered an offensive innovator and has won, pushing Cal into Pac-10 contention after decades of ineptitude. Has an escape clause from his $1.5-million-a-year contract if facility upgrades are not met.

CON: Has no Midwest roots and has given no indication that he wants to leave the West Coast.

Greg Schiano; Rutgers coach

PRO: Built Rutgers into a Big East title contender in less than a decade. Has elite experience and strong recruiting from his days as a Miami (Fla.) assistant. Makes less than Carr?s $1.6 million.

CON: Passed on Miami job last year, speculated to be waiting for the Penn State job to open when Joe Paterno retires. Was a Penn State assistant.

OTHERS

Carolina Panthers defensive coordinator Mike Trgovac (former U-M player).

Miami Dolphins coach Cam Cameron (former U-M assistant).

Cincinnati coach Brian Kelly (former Grand Valley State and Central Michigan coach).

[osugrad21]

DFP

Whatever Carr says Monday, one thing he will not say is this: "I hope Les Miles replaces me." And he won't say it to Martin or higher-ups, either.
People inside the program say there is a rift between Carr and Miles. Just because Miles played for Bo Schembechler does not mean he would have been Schembechler's choice to run the program.
At this point, I think Carr realizes his successor is not going to come from within the program. But that doesn't mean it has to be Les Miles.
This is where Carr still holds some cards. I think he will time his announcement based on what he thinks is best for the future of the program. Part of that is recruiting. Part of that is the hiring process.

[osugrad21]

DFP

LSU chancellor Sean O'Keefe: Miles not interested in Michigan

November 19, 2007
By Glenn Guilbeau
Louisiana Gannett News
BATON ROUGE ? Talk is growing hot again at Michigan about football coach Lloyd Carr possibly resigning at the end of the season, but LSU coach Les Miles is not talking.
"Nothing's changed," Miles said after practice Tuesday regarding a possible opening at his alma mater. "And nothing's going to change."



Cont...

LSU chancellor Sean O'Keefe, meanwhile, said he is not concerned at all about Miles leaving LSU for Michigan.

"From what he's expressed to me recently, Les is very happy at LSU and not interested in Michigan," O'Keefe said Tuesday. "He's extremely pleased with his contract and with the support from the university he has received."

Miles contract was restructured in the summer of 2006, increasing his salary from $1.3 million a year to the current $1.8 million a year. But O'Keefe said LSU will not hesitate to make more adjustments should the need arise.

"We'll do what we need to do so that he can remain as happy as he is," O'Keefe said. "I'm certainly amenable to discussing anything with Les Miles. But I can tell you he absolutely wants to be right where he is now."