Who Will Be Michigan's Coach in 2011?

Jim Harbaugh, Rich Rodriguez and Brady Hoke. Why is Michigan in no hurry to name a coach for the 2011 season?

There are several reasons. Athletic director Dave Brandon, who will make the call on Rodriguez's future, won't make a decision until after the Wolverines' Jan. 1 Gator Bowl matchup against Mississippi State. The New Year is significant for another reason: After Jan. 1, the buyout of Rodriguez's contract decreases from $4 million to $2.5 million.

But money likely has nothing to do with the decision. In fact, terms of Rodriguez's contract call for him to have 30 days written notice of the termination, according to M Victors.

The root of the decision reaches all the way to California, where Stanford's Harbaugh and San Diego State's Hoke have used the uncertainty surrounding Rodriguez to negotiate bigger and better deals from their current employers.

Which doesn't guarantee that Harbaugh, a former Wolverine quarterback, and Hoke, a former Michigan assistant, would pass on an opportunity to return to Ann Arbor.

Michigan's search for Lloyd Carr's successor after the 2007 season turned into an embarrassment when Les Miles, who was candidate No. 1, turned down the job after agreeing to a new deal with Louisiana State. Miles was a Michigan man, having played and coached at the school, and Bill Martin, who was the Wolverine athletic director, had no backup plan.

That led to the hiring of Rich Rod, an outsider who had no connection to the university.

Brandon is not going to repeat that mistake. He'll fire Rodriguez only if he has assurances that either Harbaugh or Hoke will take the job.

Comments

[bob cuomo]

Sure, Harbaugh is a Michigan guy, but he's got a very good thing going at Stanford...a very good thing. He's got the Cardinal positioned as one of the top two or three teams in the conference. I don't think he'd leave the Pac-10. I'm not sure about Hoke, although he did a great job with the Aztecs this season.

[peter]

Brady Hoke will not coach Michigan's football team next year. This is something he has in common with you, me, and every other human who isn't Jim Harbaugh or Rich Rodriguez.

[R N]

Brandon and Coleman spilled the beans too early and Miles was forced to back out on becoming the new UofM coach. He was put on the spot due to their flapping gums and was compelled to deny he was coming the the U. He was about to coach his current team in an all important bowl. If Coleman and the new AD can put together a deal with Harbaugh, the need to lock themselves up with no communication until the bowl season is over. They are prime examples of "knowledge is power" Too bad that they do not realize that power is often held privately.