Now that the dust is sort of starting to settle, now there are candidates beginning to be tossed around circles -- whether those are based in reality or simply fan circles. With a massive hire set for Warde Manuel, the abundance of names pitched from fans and sportswriters makes sense. Breaking down all the candidates, from feasible to unrealistic, let's dive into the names and their backgrounds.
The Shortlist:
Brad Stevens - Boston Celtics
Sam Webb posted on 247Sports a four person list that is the closest thing we have to concrete names being bandied about. The first person, and most eye-popping name, on that list is the current coach of the Boston Celtics. This is, to me, a total 'pie in the sky' sort of hire. Stevens is 42 and despite a poor (relative to expectations) season in Boston, he has finished with forty wins every year but his first and made two straight conference finals in Boston. He is young with NBA and collegiate success and would be an absolute dream hire for Michigan. I don't think there's a chance he leaves Boston, and it would appear he's not interested. Boston has already come out and given him support, without a dreaded 'vote of confidence', and at this moment in his career I fail to see why Stevens would leave.
Juwan Howard - Miami Heat (assistant)
The former Fab Five member, Howard has been making a stellar name for himself in NBA coaching circles. Interview opportunities all over NBA head coaching job, most recently for the Minnesota Timberwolves, prove just how highly he is thought of. He is learning under Pat Riley's protege Eric Spolestra (one of the most underrated NBA coaches, in my opinion) and would walk into Michigan as an elite recruiter by way of AAU connections, along with being able to regale would-be recruits with stories of playing with LeBron James, Dwayne Wade, and winning NBA Championships over a twenty-year career. Not to be slept on are his coaching skills as well. Howard has the 'in' as a player and would be an impact recruiter.
LaVall Jordan - Butler
Jordan has spent three years as a head coach since leaving John Beilein's staff. After a tough year in Milwaukee, he coached the Panthers to an improbable Horizon League final run and propelled that to getting hired at Butler, his alma mater. His record as a head coach, however, is just 46-51, including a Butler team that went to the NCAA Tournament and won a game. This is tough timing for Jordan because if he won a bit more last season, he's almost surely the front-runner. Now, however, while he may get a look, he surely is not a favorite.
Porter Moser - Loyola (IL)
Much of the buzz on day number one of the search came around the man behind Loyola's unbelievable 2018 NCAA Tournament run. Before running into Michigan in the Final Four, Loyola used luck and skill to put three teams away by a combined four points. Moser is, by all accounts, a stand-out person and would follow in the mold of John Beilein. He, however, has a lackluster track record outside that tournament run. He is just 141-125 at Loyola and was fired previously from Illinois State, where after that he went to work under Rick Majerus at Saint Louis. He has led just one team to an NCAA Tournament, that being the miracle Ramblers. Moser is only fifty, but he is not-too-proven.
The Internal Candidates:
Luke Yaklich - Michigan (assistant)
Saddi Washington - Michigan (assistant)
Yaklich and Washington are two of the most instrumental people behind the recent success Michigan has found. Yaklich as defensive coordinator, Washington as a big man coach, and both as expert recruits. While both have been tabbed as future head coaches, the lack of experience as a head man is enough to worry. There are the fears, however, that the hiring of a new coach means the loss of both men and the loss of much of the 2020 recruiting board and perhaps some in-house attrition. That would, of course, be expected in general, but with Nimari Burnett's dad saying that Yaklich is the driving force behind his son's recruitment, that is something to keep an eye on. Both men, or at least one, is likely going to get an interview out of courtesy, but the odds of them getting hired are slimmer.
Pie-in-the-sky candidate number two, Billy Donovan left back-to-back National Championships at Florida to lead the Oklahoma City Thunder and Russell Westbrook. While winning 47 games or more in each of his four seasons in OKC, Donovan has been knocked out in the first round of the playoffs in each of the last four years. Even more so than Stevens has it seemed that Donovan has worn out his welcome despite certainly not being able to be considered a failure at the NBA level. Only 53, Donovan is a bit older than some candidates, but he is still quite young and has thirteen years on Beilein. His name has been steadily discussed in the conversations about this job, though it seems to be that he is not interested in the job. Perhaps no question the most successful coach on this list, Donovan would, to me, be a slam dunk of a hire.
The Outsiders:
Bobby Hurley - Arizona State
After a successful stint at Buffalo, the former Duke point guard who butted heads with the Fab Five now is being brought up to lead Michigan. He's made an appearance in each of the last two NCAA Tournaments, but both times as a 'First Four' team and never getting past the First Round Proper. He is also just 32-40 in the Pac-12, warning signs considering how heavily the Pac-12 has fallen off. Always fired up on the sidelines, he is a man who would almost assuredly get more heated at referees than John Beilein, which is something some fans may be okay with given the ability Tom Izzo has to get furious at referees to hopefully win calls. Still, I believe Hurley is in the unproven category and has a ways to go before being considered for a job of this caliber.
Steve Prohm - Iowa State
Prohm is a name that I have seen next to no talk about, but intrigues me greatly. Following up from Fred Hoiberg at Iowa State, Prohm is only 44, has taken the Cyclones to three NCAA Tournaments in his four seasons, and has been at the helm of a KenPom top-twenty side in each of those three seasons. He was a success at Murray State, most notably with the 31-2 Isaiah Canaan-led team, and has been 187-82 at both ISU and Murray State. He's recruited well and developed talent just as well, and Iowa State could potentially see multiple early entrees into the NBA this season, just like the Wolverines. Prohm was bandied about in the Alabama job, where he worked as a student manager, but ultimately that job went to Nate Oats. I think he is certainly someone to keep an eye on for.
Ed Cooley - Providence
Cooley has been based on the East Coast all his life and currently has the reins at Providence, but could Michigan sway his mind? Coaching currently in his home town, five straight NCAA Tournament appearances ended this past season in which Michigan fans were able to see the Friars up close and personally on a neutral-site. A consistent coach, he has, however, been unable to win more than 24 games at Providence, though he has just one season of fewer than nineteen wins as well. An outstanding person, I am not sure he is the right fit for Michigan. His roster composition reminds me of a more upscale Chris Collins at Northwestern of position-less basketball that struggles, though the talent on the Friars team and coaching ability of Cooley work better overall. I would not say this is a flashy hire, but don't be surprised to see Cooley mentioned in the later stages of this job.
The Ones Who May Not Leave:
Nate Oats - Alabama
There are also three coaches, one who has explicitly said no, and two where there have been implications, that seem to already have said no, perhaps even before being asked. The first is the new coach of the Alabama Crimson Tide, formerly of Buffalo, Oats. The former head coach of Romulus High School in Michigan, Oats gave a statement committing himself to the Alabama job while also offering a ringing endorsement of his former assistant, Saddi Washington. For the right price, perhaps things can be swayed. It is, also, interesting that he gave an immediate statement, but it is a fantastic answer to what likely started as a journalist's question about interest back in a familiar state. I do not expect to see Oats pull a Chris Beard and jump before even starting his new job, but I would not be absolutely stunned.
The Improbable:
Chris Beard - Texas Tech
Now we jump to coaches that are almost unfathomable to discuss, but interesting enough to converse over. Beard is the new hot coach in college basketball. Only 46, he's turned Texas Tech to a top defensive team in the country and beat Michigan in a defense-off in the Sweet Sixteen. There are plenty of hurdles however. For one, Beard is a native of Texas and with family in the area, it is questionable whether he'd want to pack up and leave. He also bailed on UNLV for this TTU opportunity, a sign that he is committed to continuing to build up this Red Raiders program. His $3.8 million buyout for Michigan would also be a massive obstacle to overcome. I do not see this happening, but stranger things have happened.
Rick Pitino - Louisville/Panathinaikos
From the cleanest coach in the NCAA, to one black-listed by way of being dirty. Pitino was, once upon a time, a true candidate for the Michigan job in 2001. He is not now. I'm only mentioning him because the absolute insanity that would see this stark of a culture shift at Michigan would give fans of the Wolverines whiplash. He is being brought up as a shock value candidate, and while it won't happen, it sure is funny to think about.
Final Thoughts:
This is a massive hire. Massive might be an understatement. I believe that Warde Manuel needs to pick a coach that is either a proven head coach, or understands the system like Yaklich or Washington if no one is available. The wrong hire tanks the program for years, but you cannot wait too long either. 2020 recruits and the already-signed 2019 recruits need to have an idea of who will be there for them to play for. That is why I believe the idea of Yaklich and/or Washington as an interim head coach is a massive issue. With almost assuredly four scholarships, possibly more, up for grabs in 2020, the right person needs to come in and get their players on board. I do not have a prediction. Things have been kept pretty quiet and the home run hires seem like long shots. I also did not even begin to cover most of the mid-major names that have been talked about. Michigan need to get their man to keep the foundation that John Beilein left in place.
Follow me on Twitter @RMAB_Ryan for plenty more Michigan basketball coverage, as well as AFC Ann Arbor and Liverpool FC coverage as well!
The Shortlist:
Brad Stevens - Boston Celtics
Sam Webb posted on 247Sports a four person list that is the closest thing we have to concrete names being bandied about. The first person, and most eye-popping name, on that list is the current coach of the Boston Celtics. This is, to me, a total 'pie in the sky' sort of hire. Stevens is 42 and despite a poor (relative to expectations) season in Boston, he has finished with forty wins every year but his first and made two straight conference finals in Boston. He is young with NBA and collegiate success and would be an absolute dream hire for Michigan. I don't think there's a chance he leaves Boston, and it would appear he's not interested. Boston has already come out and given him support, without a dreaded 'vote of confidence', and at this moment in his career I fail to see why Stevens would leave.
Juwan Howard - Miami Heat (assistant)
The former Fab Five member, Howard has been making a stellar name for himself in NBA coaching circles. Interview opportunities all over NBA head coaching job, most recently for the Minnesota Timberwolves, prove just how highly he is thought of. He is learning under Pat Riley's protege Eric Spolestra (one of the most underrated NBA coaches, in my opinion) and would walk into Michigan as an elite recruiter by way of AAU connections, along with being able to regale would-be recruits with stories of playing with LeBron James, Dwayne Wade, and winning NBA Championships over a twenty-year career. Not to be slept on are his coaching skills as well. Howard has the 'in' as a player and would be an impact recruiter.
LaVall Jordan - Butler
Jordan has spent three years as a head coach since leaving John Beilein's staff. After a tough year in Milwaukee, he coached the Panthers to an improbable Horizon League final run and propelled that to getting hired at Butler, his alma mater. His record as a head coach, however, is just 46-51, including a Butler team that went to the NCAA Tournament and won a game. This is tough timing for Jordan because if he won a bit more last season, he's almost surely the front-runner. Now, however, while he may get a look, he surely is not a favorite.
Porter Moser - Loyola (IL)
Much of the buzz on day number one of the search came around the man behind Loyola's unbelievable 2018 NCAA Tournament run. Before running into Michigan in the Final Four, Loyola used luck and skill to put three teams away by a combined four points. Moser is, by all accounts, a stand-out person and would follow in the mold of John Beilein. He, however, has a lackluster track record outside that tournament run. He is just 141-125 at Loyola and was fired previously from Illinois State, where after that he went to work under Rick Majerus at Saint Louis. He has led just one team to an NCAA Tournament, that being the miracle Ramblers. Moser is only fifty, but he is not-too-proven.
The Internal Candidates:
Luke Yaklich - Michigan (assistant)
Saddi Washington - Michigan (assistant)
Yaklich and Washington are two of the most instrumental people behind the recent success Michigan has found. Yaklich as defensive coordinator, Washington as a big man coach, and both as expert recruits. While both have been tabbed as future head coaches, the lack of experience as a head man is enough to worry. There are the fears, however, that the hiring of a new coach means the loss of both men and the loss of much of the 2020 recruiting board and perhaps some in-house attrition. That would, of course, be expected in general, but with Nimari Burnett's dad saying that Yaklich is the driving force behind his son's recruitment, that is something to keep an eye on. Both men, or at least one, is likely going to get an interview out of courtesy, but the odds of them getting hired are slimmer.
Getting Buzz:
Shaka Smart - Texas
Smart gets a mention here for dominating the conversation on day number three of the coaching search and catapulting into the conversation. Smart is best known for taking VCU with the Havoc defense to five straight NCAA Tournaments, including a Final Four run as a First Four team. Since jumping to Texas, though, despite bringing in a ton of talented recruits (especially big men one-and-dones Jarrett Allen, Mo Bamba, and Jaxson Hayes) the results have not been there. He is 71-66 at Texas with just one winning season in the Big 12 and he has not won a game in the NCAA Tournament since 2013 with VCU, where his Rams got knocked out by Michigan. Smart is a high level recruiter and great face of a program, but he is on the hot seat at Texas and perhaps has just one year to save his job. I don't think he gets an offer, but he is interesting as a candidate. Texas was good this season as NIT Champions and a top-25 team in KenPom (ranking 332nd in luck). Still, the results themselves have not been the greatest and that is enough to cause some apprehension.
Billy Donovan - OKC ThunderShaka Smart - Texas
Smart gets a mention here for dominating the conversation on day number three of the coaching search and catapulting into the conversation. Smart is best known for taking VCU with the Havoc defense to five straight NCAA Tournaments, including a Final Four run as a First Four team. Since jumping to Texas, though, despite bringing in a ton of talented recruits (especially big men one-and-dones Jarrett Allen, Mo Bamba, and Jaxson Hayes) the results have not been there. He is 71-66 at Texas with just one winning season in the Big 12 and he has not won a game in the NCAA Tournament since 2013 with VCU, where his Rams got knocked out by Michigan. Smart is a high level recruiter and great face of a program, but he is on the hot seat at Texas and perhaps has just one year to save his job. I don't think he gets an offer, but he is interesting as a candidate. Texas was good this season as NIT Champions and a top-25 team in KenPom (ranking 332nd in luck). Still, the results themselves have not been the greatest and that is enough to cause some apprehension.
Pie-in-the-sky candidate number two, Billy Donovan left back-to-back National Championships at Florida to lead the Oklahoma City Thunder and Russell Westbrook. While winning 47 games or more in each of his four seasons in OKC, Donovan has been knocked out in the first round of the playoffs in each of the last four years. Even more so than Stevens has it seemed that Donovan has worn out his welcome despite certainly not being able to be considered a failure at the NBA level. Only 53, Donovan is a bit older than some candidates, but he is still quite young and has thirteen years on Beilein. His name has been steadily discussed in the conversations about this job, though it seems to be that he is not interested in the job. Perhaps no question the most successful coach on this list, Donovan would, to me, be a slam dunk of a hire.
The Outsiders:
Bobby Hurley - Arizona State
After a successful stint at Buffalo, the former Duke point guard who butted heads with the Fab Five now is being brought up to lead Michigan. He's made an appearance in each of the last two NCAA Tournaments, but both times as a 'First Four' team and never getting past the First Round Proper. He is also just 32-40 in the Pac-12, warning signs considering how heavily the Pac-12 has fallen off. Always fired up on the sidelines, he is a man who would almost assuredly get more heated at referees than John Beilein, which is something some fans may be okay with given the ability Tom Izzo has to get furious at referees to hopefully win calls. Still, I believe Hurley is in the unproven category and has a ways to go before being considered for a job of this caliber.
Steve Prohm - Iowa State
Prohm is a name that I have seen next to no talk about, but intrigues me greatly. Following up from Fred Hoiberg at Iowa State, Prohm is only 44, has taken the Cyclones to three NCAA Tournaments in his four seasons, and has been at the helm of a KenPom top-twenty side in each of those three seasons. He was a success at Murray State, most notably with the 31-2 Isaiah Canaan-led team, and has been 187-82 at both ISU and Murray State. He's recruited well and developed talent just as well, and Iowa State could potentially see multiple early entrees into the NBA this season, just like the Wolverines. Prohm was bandied about in the Alabama job, where he worked as a student manager, but ultimately that job went to Nate Oats. I think he is certainly someone to keep an eye on for.
Ed Cooley - Providence
Cooley has been based on the East Coast all his life and currently has the reins at Providence, but could Michigan sway his mind? Coaching currently in his home town, five straight NCAA Tournament appearances ended this past season in which Michigan fans were able to see the Friars up close and personally on a neutral-site. A consistent coach, he has, however, been unable to win more than 24 games at Providence, though he has just one season of fewer than nineteen wins as well. An outstanding person, I am not sure he is the right fit for Michigan. His roster composition reminds me of a more upscale Chris Collins at Northwestern of position-less basketball that struggles, though the talent on the Friars team and coaching ability of Cooley work better overall. I would not say this is a flashy hire, but don't be surprised to see Cooley mentioned in the later stages of this job.
The Ones Who May Not Leave:
Nate Oats - Alabama
There are also three coaches, one who has explicitly said no, and two where there have been implications, that seem to already have said no, perhaps even before being asked. The first is the new coach of the Alabama Crimson Tide, formerly of Buffalo, Oats. The former head coach of Romulus High School in Michigan, Oats gave a statement committing himself to the Alabama job while also offering a ringing endorsement of his former assistant, Saddi Washington. For the right price, perhaps things can be swayed. It is, also, interesting that he gave an immediate statement, but it is a fantastic answer to what likely started as a journalist's question about interest back in a familiar state. I do not expect to see Oats pull a Chris Beard and jump before even starting his new job, but I would not be absolutely stunned.
Mike Brey - Notre Dame
Mike White - Florida
I will be grouping these two together because a recent Jeff Goodman tweet highlighted that neither man would be likely to jump to Michigan if offered the job. Mike Brey is set for life at Notre Dame. That is a basketball job with lower expectations than Michigan by way of being a football school, but since 2000 he has performed very well including back-to-back Elite Eights in 2015 and 2016. He was voted second-cleanest coach in the collegiate game after Beilein in a recent coaches poll, and it makes sense why someone perceived as clean and having such great success with a fantastic academic school would be talked about for the Michigan job. With twelve NCAA Tournament appearances and over 400 wins at ND, he has probably done everything he can, but perhaps a new challenge could call his name?
White, at first, surprised me to be listed as someone who would not leave. A strong recruiter and still young, White has won at least twenty games in every season at Florida after taking over for Billy Donovan. He seems like a prime candidate to take a jump up, not that Florida is not a massive university, but it makes more sense when you look at his career. White played at Ole Miss, then coached at Jacksonville State before returning to his alma mater, then took the reins at Louisiana Tech, before heading to Florida. He has been in the deep south all his life (for the most part, barring some playing stints in New Mexico and England) and has a great job with a top-tier SEC program. White seems very happy at Florida and is assembling talented rosters for years to come.
Mike White - Florida
I will be grouping these two together because a recent Jeff Goodman tweet highlighted that neither man would be likely to jump to Michigan if offered the job. Mike Brey is set for life at Notre Dame. That is a basketball job with lower expectations than Michigan by way of being a football school, but since 2000 he has performed very well including back-to-back Elite Eights in 2015 and 2016. He was voted second-cleanest coach in the collegiate game after Beilein in a recent coaches poll, and it makes sense why someone perceived as clean and having such great success with a fantastic academic school would be talked about for the Michigan job. With twelve NCAA Tournament appearances and over 400 wins at ND, he has probably done everything he can, but perhaps a new challenge could call his name?
White, at first, surprised me to be listed as someone who would not leave. A strong recruiter and still young, White has won at least twenty games in every season at Florida after taking over for Billy Donovan. He seems like a prime candidate to take a jump up, not that Florida is not a massive university, but it makes more sense when you look at his career. White played at Ole Miss, then coached at Jacksonville State before returning to his alma mater, then took the reins at Louisiana Tech, before heading to Florida. He has been in the deep south all his life (for the most part, barring some playing stints in New Mexico and England) and has a great job with a top-tier SEC program. White seems very happy at Florida and is assembling talented rosters for years to come.
The Improbable:
Chris Beard - Texas Tech
Now we jump to coaches that are almost unfathomable to discuss, but interesting enough to converse over. Beard is the new hot coach in college basketball. Only 46, he's turned Texas Tech to a top defensive team in the country and beat Michigan in a defense-off in the Sweet Sixteen. There are plenty of hurdles however. For one, Beard is a native of Texas and with family in the area, it is questionable whether he'd want to pack up and leave. He also bailed on UNLV for this TTU opportunity, a sign that he is committed to continuing to build up this Red Raiders program. His $3.8 million buyout for Michigan would also be a massive obstacle to overcome. I do not see this happening, but stranger things have happened.
Rick Pitino - Louisville/Panathinaikos
From the cleanest coach in the NCAA, to one black-listed by way of being dirty. Pitino was, once upon a time, a true candidate for the Michigan job in 2001. He is not now. I'm only mentioning him because the absolute insanity that would see this stark of a culture shift at Michigan would give fans of the Wolverines whiplash. He is being brought up as a shock value candidate, and while it won't happen, it sure is funny to think about.
Final Thoughts:
This is a massive hire. Massive might be an understatement. I believe that Warde Manuel needs to pick a coach that is either a proven head coach, or understands the system like Yaklich or Washington if no one is available. The wrong hire tanks the program for years, but you cannot wait too long either. 2020 recruits and the already-signed 2019 recruits need to have an idea of who will be there for them to play for. That is why I believe the idea of Yaklich and/or Washington as an interim head coach is a massive issue. With almost assuredly four scholarships, possibly more, up for grabs in 2020, the right person needs to come in and get their players on board. I do not have a prediction. Things have been kept pretty quiet and the home run hires seem like long shots. I also did not even begin to cover most of the mid-major names that have been talked about. Michigan need to get their man to keep the foundation that John Beilein left in place.
Follow me on Twitter @RMAB_Ryan for plenty more Michigan basketball coverage, as well as AFC Ann Arbor and Liverpool FC coverage as well!
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