LES MILES
LSU HEAD COACH
Why him? Miles played and coached under Bo Schembechler at Michigan and currently had led LSU to a No. 1 national ranking. He has NFL experience, is an excellent recruiter, and is one of the hottest coaches in the country.
Why not him? The timing isn't great - would Miles really walk away from a shot at the national title? Would Michigan wait until early January for him?
Bottom line: If Michigan hires anyone else, that hire had better be a unequivocal home run.

URBAN MEYER
FLORIDA HEAD COACH
Why him? He's one of the best young coaches in the country, winning the 2007 national title, and has previously said he'd like to be the Michigan head coach some day. Might want to get out of the toughest football conference in America.
Why not him? Already has a great job and a huge contract.
Bottom line: If you're Michigan, and you're willing to spend big money, you'd hopefully at least make this phone call - and one to West Virginia's Rich Rodriguez - before you hired Kirk Ferentz or another second-tier candidate.

GARY PINKEL
MISSOURI HEAD COACH
Why him? Has Missouri ranked third nationally and in the hunt for a national title, strong Midwest ties after building Toledo into a Mid-American Conference power, runs the kind of no-huddle spread offense that has given Michigan fits.
Why not him? Hasn't had a truly big year at Missouri prior to this season.
Bottom line: A dark horse candidate to keep an eye on.

KIRK FERENTZ
IOWA HEAD COACH
Why him? Ferentz is a nationally respected coach who has rebuilt Iowa from scratch and rebuffed repeated NFL coaching offers. He has ties to Michigan's president, Mary Sue Coleman, who hired him at Iowa.
Why not him? Iowa is 19-18 over the past three seasons and just lost to Western Michigan. Ferentz could always leave for the NFL. There have been a number of behavioral issues with Iowa players over recent years.
Bottom line: After three seasons of mediocrity, Ferentz shouldn't get the Michigan job unless the search really falls apart.

MIKE TRGOVAC
CAROLINA PANTHERS DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR
Why him? He's a very solid NFL coordinator, but more importantly because he played for Bo Schembechler and Michigan has, in the past, had an obsession with Michigan ties.
Why not him? If he hadn't played for Bo, he couldn't get an interview for this job.
Bottom line: He'll be a fallback candidate if all else goes wrong. Think Charlie Weis at Notre Dame.

BRIAN KELLY
CINCINNATI HEAD COACH
Why him? He's won a national title at Grand Valley, rebuilt Central Michigan, and now has Cincinnati in the Top 25 in his first season with the Bearcats.
Why not him? Not enough big-time experience, had to apologize for racially insensitive comments related to a murder committed by Central Michigan football players.
Bottom line: Michigan will not hire a coach who has had to apologize for racially insensitive comments linked to a murder.

RON ENGLISH
MICHIGAN DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR
Why him? He's a talented and respected young coach, beloved by Michigan's players.
Why not him? Some rough moments for the defense this year, lack of head coaching experience.
Bottom line: If this had been a truly special season, English or offensive coordinator Mike DeBord might have had a shot at succeeding Carr, but they've gone from longshots to no shots as this team struggled.

Other possible candidates being floated by Stewart Mandel on SI.com are Rich Rodriguez from West Virginia and Jon Gruden of the Tampa Bay Bucs.

November 20, 2007

Who will be named the next head coach of the Michigan Wolverines football team?

If you know, maybe you can make some money on it.

Bodoglife.com has posted odds on who the next Michigan coach will be. Les Miles is the favorite at 2/1, which means a $100 bet would net you $200.

There is a max $100 bet.

THE ODDS

Les Miles, LSU coach -- 2/1

Kirk Ferentz, Iowa coach -- 9/2

Mike Trgovac, Carolina Panthers defensive coordinator -- 5/1

Brian Kelly, Cincinnati coach and former Central Michigan and Grand Valley coach -- 6/1

Ron English, U-M defensive coordinator -- 6/1

Bret Bielema, Wisconsin coach -- 7/1

Bobby Petrino, Atlanta Falcons coach -- 10/1

Jon Gruden, Tampa Bay Bucs coach -- 10/1

Jim Harbaugh, Stanford coach and U-M alum -- 10/1

Bill Cowher, ex-Pittsburgh Steelers coach -- 15/1

Field (all others) -- 2/1

I have another name that just came to me and it is totally out of leftfield because I have not heard of any speculation that he would even be considered, but what about Steve Mariucci? I know everyone on this board has sour grapes about the guy because of his tenure w/ the Lions, but he is a Michigan native and has been a coach in college before. Also, he is a standup guy and that is something UM is looking for.

I just heard a RUMOR today that Les Miles has bought a house in Ann Arbor, but is not willing to make the jump until after the first of the year to announce. As I said, THIS IS RUMOR ONLY, but good LORD wouldn't that be great!