Some Coaches to Consider for the Michigan opening
There continue to be mild rumblings that Michigan might still reach out to Les Miles to offer him the job opening, despite the fact Miles’ agent told Martin he has no interest in discussing the job opening with the University of Michigan. Martin has kept a low profile and hasn’t said much about the process which has allowed rumors to run rampant.
The key question that no one is apparently able to answer is whether Bill Martin seriously wanted Les Miles. If he has some reservations about Miles then that would explain why he was in no hurry to engage in serious negotiations with the coach. Yesterday Jim Carty suggested the search was back to square one. He also said Greg Schiano from Rutgers wasn’t likely to come to Michigan.
Here are some reasonable suggestions on current or former NFL coaches who could be available.
Dennis Green: Unemployed as a Coach - 58
Strength – Green is a Bill Walsh disciple and had the single-season top scoring offense in NFL history with Vikings. He did very well at Stanford and Northwestern given their academic requirements and relative positions in the Pac Ten and Big Ten. So he’d likely fit in very well at Michigan.
Weakness – Green has had difficulties with the media that make Lloyd Carr look like he’s never met a reporter he didn’t like. He hasn’t coached at the college level in 15 years, although his Wikipedia page suggests that is what he’d like to do next season. Not sure how well he’d do recruiting at a program like Michigan. He’s 58, so who knows how long he’d be able to put up with the grind of being a head coach.
Marvin Lewis: Cincinnati Bengals Head Coach - 49
Strength – Marvin Lewis has coached some of the best defensive units in the NFL over the past 15 years. Has head coaching experience in the NFL.
Weakness – Lewis hasn’t coached in the college ranks in over 15 years. Not clear if he has any interest in returning to the college ranks. Has never been a college head coach, which has different responsibilities than an NFL head coach. Might have to wait until the new year to see if the Bengals will let him go, which does seem likely.
Bill Cowher: Unemployed as a Coach - 50
Strength – Cowher has extensive head coaching experience at a football institution that might be the Michigan of the NFL [obviously with much more recent success]. After a year out of coaching might be energized and looking to make a comeback. His Steeler teams always had excellent defenses and while they were geared heavily toward the run added some nice dimensions near the end of his tenure that made the offense much more dangerous.
Weakness - Hasn’t coached at the college level. Ever. It isn’t clear how he’d handle recruiting as it’s never been a responsibility as an NFL coach. Likely has no familiarity with NCAA rules as people who are required to understand them often don’t.
In my opinion Dennis Green is the strongest candidate out of this group. He’s coached college teams that have similar academic requirements and he won more games than the Wildcats or Cardinal had won in recent memory prior to his arrival on campus. This was back before the scholarship limitations helped to level the playing field. He was an excellent head coach in Minnesota and according to his son he’d like to return to the college ranks.
Bill Cowher Dennis Green Marvin Lewis Michigan Football1 Comment(s)
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No way does UM even give a glimpse to Dennis Green. Cower could be good, but I think he’s looking for a huge payday to coach in the NFL again.