In what may be my last college coach candidate list for the season, I am going to try and give a list of potential head coach options for the Michigan Wolverines in what is now a very weak slate of names. I will go over all of this, but first, check out the other coach candidate lists right here and tell me how poorly I did. Or don't, that's how coach cycles go where you think they are going one direction and turns out they hire someone else.
https://fanspo.com/nfl/s/college_football/p/ehkeG_1Wbo6Yb-/coach-candidate-tier-list-links
Let's cover two bases first since the coach skipped the first two and went straight to third. First: the reason why they fired him is because he was having an affair. The second: it has now left a metaphorically visible stain on the football program and the athletic department, primarily the AD with people calling for his job. Why? Well, not only did this happen with full knowledge of other staff members for years (allegedly), but the fact the sign stealing happened under the AD's watch. Last I heard about the AD was it was being investigated, but it also sounds as if he is still in charge of the hiring process. Despite that, this is still a top 10 program in the FBS and may be seen as coveted as jobs like Alabama, Ohio State, LSU, Georgia, and Notre Dame. But, of course, there has to be a kicker. As soon as the firing was announced and names popped up, people recycled the names fresh in the Penn State botched hiring process thinking they would leave after signing extensions for Michigan and the big question is how dry is that ink really? Turns out it is pretty freaking dry. Eliah Drinkwitz, Jeff Brohm, Clark Lea are some names thrown out who were mentioned in the Penn State job and now in this Michigan job who were initially mentioned have now not be spoken about being in this conversation of taking that job in a few days. Kalen DeBoer and Kenny Dillingham were 1 and 2 heading into the Alabama vs Oklahoma CFP game and by Saturday morning were both written off the list. It doesn't sound like they really want a Harbaugh connection, though there are still reports that Jesse Minter is considered in the race. When I fixed my list up Saturday afternoon, I was certain that this is Jedd Fisch's to lose, now there are reports that there is no traction to his name. Fisch is still on this list, but is no longer number 1. This is going to be a very interesting search and may as well go through January if they go after a NFL coach, as reported.
Seem To Be The Front Runners
Adam Stenavich, Green Bay Packers (OC; 2022-?)
If someone told me a few months ago before the season had start that Adam Stenavich will be a serious candidate and a front runner for any job, NFL or College, I would have thought you were crazy. I never thought he was that great of a coach. He is the OC at Green Bay, and I don't think he even calls plays. He is a O Line guru, and the O Line is mediocre at best this season. But, he played at Michigan and last time hiring an alumni seemed to work out for them. But... Stenavich has never been a HC before, the other guy was and made it to the Super Bowl and lost to his own brother before taking over. I understand why they would hire him, but don't think he is the right fit at all.
Tommy Rees, Cleveland Browns (OC; 2025-?)
There ain't no way Michigan is seriously considering him. right? I am pretty sure this is a name Jimmy Sexton and Nick Saban are floating around the media insiders like "oh, I just got Tommy an interview" leaving it for interpretation he meant Michigan but it really is a Pizza Hut in Berea. I think he will eventually become a HC, but he is better off starting somewhere small. Swallow your pride and take a $500k job at Ohio or go work for a coach on the hot seat hoping you earn that interim job when it does open up.
Two Realistic Names
Jedd Fisch, Washington (2024-?)
Here is Fisch. This would be the first person I would call, especially since he has moved his family out of Seattle and back to Arizona, but it seems as if Fisch doesn't want to go to Ann Arbor anyways since there is no traction. If he wanted the job, there would be some traction or at least a "one way streak" reported. He is a successful coach bringing Arizona out of the dumps and took over Washington and has a top 25 program there and may be serious dark horse Big Ten Champions. Will definitely be a serious candidate for that third, maybe fourth spot in the CFP representing the conference. He may want to build on that and then look elsewhere.
Kyle Whittingham, outgoing Utah HC (2005-25)
This would be quite interesting. Last time he coached outside Utah was in 1993 at Idaho State. Now, he is a self proclaimed "transfer portal coach" looking for his new job after stepping down from the Utes. Michigan fans seemed somewhat happy about this idea and mostly because he has experience playing (and beating) teams like Oregon, Washington, USC, and UCLA, but also, he hasn't coached outside of Utah since Justin Bieber has been alive.
Could Be In The Mix
Tony Elliott, Virginia (2022-?)
Had a fantastic season, but I think he just found a lightning in a bottle in Chandler Morris. I am skeptical that he can keep what he has going on next season and beyond and feel like Michigan would feel the same about that he needs another year to prove he is for real.
Willie Fritz, Houston (2024-?)
I like the idea of hiring Fritz, especially with his success he had at Tulane. But he is 65, and will be 66 when the season starts and seem to have all his pieces set to run it back in 2026 for the Cougars, so I don't think he would want to mess that up.
PJ Fleck, Minnesota (2017-?)
With his name being floated around for almost every P4 job you can think of, there has to be some truth that he wants out, right? If Michigan's top guys say no, is Fleck the next option? I'm a big fan of his, but I think the Michigan job is to big of a job for him. I could be wrong, but don't feel like he would work for Michigan and would just be another Rich Rod or Brady Hoke.
Other Options
David Shaw, Detroit Lions (PGC; 2025-?)
Former Stanford HC who coached Andrew Luck and Christian McCaffery among other names and found success at a program that is known to be difficult to win at having five 10 win seasons out of his twelve season career as HC. Though, he does bring Harbaugh experience, the resume post Harbaugh at Stanford could make the board and coach search committee feel like they are hiring someone outside of that circle.
Sean Lewis, San Diego State (2024-?)
I like this as a sleeper hire. He knows how to win proving it at Kent State who is like below average in almost everything but somehow turned trash into treasure. In five seasons, he got the Golden Flashes two bowl games and a MAC Championship appearance. That might not seem as a lot, but the fact he was getting paid around $350k and was the bottom five paid head coach in the FBS and they lack a lot of resources proves everything. He then went to San Diego State after a year with Colorado and turned them around quickly going 3-9 to 9-3.
Brian Daboll, former New York Giants HC (2022-25)
Say what you want about Daboll, but he seems to have an eye for QB talent. He might be what Michigan needs for Bryce Underwood. The funny part, Wink is already on staff, do you think he will repair their relationship and work together or would he hire Shane Bowen all over again?
There you have it, my Michigan list. Let me know your thoughts down below and do you think Stenavich will be the next head coach? Also, expect a poll tomorrow.