A Proposed Plan For Michigan In Their Search For Brady Hoke’s Replacement
By Zach Libby
Two weeks into the college football season and Michigan head coach Brady Hoke is already considered to be someone that’ll get the boot following the post-season.
These reports shouldn’t come as a surprise, especially since his team is coming off of a 31-point embarrassment at South Bend against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.
Let’s face it, since Hoke took over a Wolverines program that was a bottom dweller in the Big Ten in 2011, they have failed to win games that have mattered outside of the Big House.
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Last season, the only victories Michigan garnered on the road was a triple overtime nail biter against Northwestern and a three-point margin over the Connecticut Huskies.
In 2012, Michigan failed to escape with the win against Notre Dame, Nebraska and Ohio State. As well as a 41-14 blowout by Alabama at Cowboys Stadium, if you’re counting neutral site locations.
I’m not taking away the fact that Michigan was able to come away with a win in the Sugar Bowl during Hoke’s first year at Ann Arbor, but imagine where they could have gone if they defeated an unranked Iowa team on the road and Michigan State at Spartan Stadium.
Bottom line: Hoke is a failure when it comes to winning big games on the road.
He’ll get the opportunity to prove me wrong this season when they travel up to East Lansing in week seven and Ohio State for the final week. Hoke is currently 0-3 on the road against both Ohio State and Michigan State.
But if the Wolverines falter to both programs and fail to contend for the Big Ten title this season, athletic director Dave Brandon should consider making a change at head coach.
Where will they find the right candidate to replace Hoke? Sports News writer Bill Bender has compiled three scenarios that he feels Brandon should follow once his search commences. This does include reaching out to the Harbaughs and even Michigan State defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi.
Plan A: Hope one of the Harbaughs wears out their NFL welcome. Given the reported friction in San Francisco between Jim Harbaugh and 49ers’ brass, it’s possible. John, however, might be the better bet given the Ray Rice mess in Baltimore. Former Ravens defensive coordinator Greg Mattison already is in Ann Arbor. Maybe the Ravens miss the playoffs again.
Plan B: Hijack an elite Power 5 coach. Nothing less than Kevin Sumlin will do. Sumlin signed a six-year, $30 extension with Texas A&M last season. Michigan can compete with the money, but it would be almost impossible to pull Sumlin from the SEC.
Plan C: Hire a high-profile assistant. Now you’re looking at Seattle offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell or Buffalo running backs coach Tyrone Wheatley, who fits the whole “Michigan Man” mantra. Offensive coordinator Doug Nussmeier is a possibility. Would Michigan be bold enough to take a run at Michigan State defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi?