[Heavystarch]

Lloyd Carr has retired from the winningest program in the history of college football. He leaves behind the Michigan program in good shape, with last year's second rank quarterback Ryan Mallet to guide the program back into contention for the national title. The question now becomes, who will replace Carr?

The candidates:

Les Miles, Head Coach, LSU

The clear favorite as Carr's successor. Miles has only improved the LSU program since Saban left for the Dolphins three years ago and has the Tigers sitting at #1 in every poll this season. He has a clause in his contract stating that he must pay LSU 1.25 million if he leaves to go to Michigan, his alma-mater. It seems clear that Michigan would love to have him, but is the feeling mutual?

Bob Stoops, Head Coach, Oklahoma

His name has been mentioned as a possible suitor. He has ties to the Midwest (born in Ohio, played 4 years for the Hawkeyes) and it has been speculated that he may want to return to Big Ten country. He has been magnificent at OU, going 95-20 in nine years. He has been the coach of the year once or twice (Walter Camp twice, Bear Bryant once) and won a national championship in 2000. Personally I don't think he would leave, but the Michigan job is the Michigan job. He is getting paid almost 3.5 million/year.

Kirk Ferentz, Head Coach, Iowa

Ferentz's name seems to always get thrown around whenever a high profile school has a vacancy. Kirk took over the Iowa program after Hayden Frye left 10 years ago and has achieved decent success. He was named coach of the year in 2002 (AP) after going undefeated in the Big Ten and losing to USC in the Orange Bowl. Also of note he has ties to the current Michigan president, and that he worked three years under Bill Belichick in Cleveland. He seems like a "blah" hire, but you never know I guess.

Bret Bielema, Head Coach, Wisconsin

His name popped up after Wisconsin beat Michigan this season. He is young, and has compiled a 21-4 record over two seasons with the Badgers. Bret was named the Big Ten Coach of the Year in 2006. He graduated from Iowa and was an assistant coach there. He took a co-DC role with Kansas State before becoming the DC under Barry Alveraz. He is viewed as an up and coming coach with a lot of swagger. The Badgers have somewhat under-performed this season, but you never know I guess. This seems unlikely at this point in his career, but if offered I could easily seeing him going.

Brian Kelly, Head Coach, Cincinatti

ESPN listed Kelly as a potential candidate. Kelly was the long time coach at Grand Valley State, where at one point they won 41 of 43 games. He then turned around the Central Michigan program, winning the MAC and earning a Motor City Bowl birth. Last year he was hired by Cincinatti to replace Mark D'Antonio, where he has gone 8-3 thus far. He seems like an unlikely hire, but you never know.

Rich Rodriguez, Head Coach, West Virginia

ESPN also had Rodriguez on their short list. His success is well documented, turning West Virginia into title contenders. Rodriguez turned down the Alabama job after being offered a significant raise last season. After turning down Alabama, combined with being an alumni of West Virginia, it seems like it may be tough to lure Rodriguez away. He doesn't have any significant tie ins with the program or the Big Ten.

Ron English, Defensive Coordinator, Michigan

The most likely choice if Michigan is to stay in house. He is young (turns 40 in May) and has had a lot of success at Michigan. In 2006 he accepted a position with the Chicago Bears, However Carr persuaded him to stay after Jim Herrmann bolted to be the LB coach under Eric Mangini with the Jets. In the 2007 NFL draft, UM had 4 defensive players draft in the first 47 picks. Last season he was Rivals Big Ten Recruiter of the year, and he would most likely be able to keep the bulk of Michigan's verbal commitments. If I had to guess, if Miles turns Michigan down, I think English would be the next candidate in line. This is just my speculation.

AD Bill Martin has been quoted saying they have 20 candidates in mind.


This should be an interesting hire, and seems pretty wide open past Miles. These are just the candidates I have read about/think are likely. Add any others you think are in the running.