Is the Grass Greener

I could comment on the Badger's 42-21 win yesterday. I could go on and on about how solid Tyler Donovan looked and how good Luke Swan was. I could share my feelings on the Big 10 preview and I could update that after the results from yesterday. Heck, I could even take a shot at Notre Dame who lost 33-3 yesterday (thank God Charlie Weis is an offensive genius or else lord know how bad they would have lost). Instead, I'm going to take a shot at The University of Michigan, who was ranked #5 at the beginning of the year and lost to Appalachian State (school of Miss Teen South Carolina, btw) in the Big House.

Oh, and as you can imagine the natives are getting restless up in Michigan. Lloyd Carr has been on a warm seat the past few seasons and now that seat has gotten extremely hot. But what would life look like for the Wolverines if they did get rid of Carr. Afterall, Lloyd has kept this team competitive and shared a national title during his tenure in Ann Arbor. Would they really be better off with someone else and who would that someone else be if Carr got the axe in the off-season.

Let's look at who some of the likelier candidates could be if the Wolverines decided to make a change, broken down into several categories:



No Way in Hell is It Going to Happen, but let's mention their names and get it out of the way:

Bob Stoops
Mack Brown
Charlie Weis- although it would be hysterical to watch the reactions of both fan bases
Pete Carroll
Urban Meyer
Steve Spurrier


They might get a call, but there are too many reasons why the won't get the job:

Nick Saban- unless the money is right. This guy will do anything for cash
Steve Mariucci- I dont think Michigan fans would be too happy with this one
Jerry Moore- Not sure who he is? Yeah, that's the coach who beat them yesterday


Fringe Candidates:

Les Miles- I can't see him leaving a good gig at LSU, but he would be a good hire
Jack Del Rio- an NFL name that might be available, but unlike other NFL names he is more suited for the NFL game
Tommy Tubberville- see Nick Saban
Rick Nieuheisel- way too much baggage


Could be good candidates:

Pat Hill- The Fresno State coach seems to be more inclined to go after a NFL job, but he is a solid smaller school option
Barry Alvarez- a great Big 10 name, someone who can get to (and win) Rose Bowls
Kirk Ferentz- this might be the most likely name so far. It's not hard to see him leaving for Ann Arbor
Bill Cowher- he wants to coach again, probably in college. But he might not be a long-term hire.
Rich Rodriguez- he'll certainly be at the top of the list
Tommy Bowden- could be looking for a job come this winter


The guy I would hire:

Jon Gruden

Seriously. He made noise a few years ago that he might be interested in the Notre Dame job. He has struggled enough in Tampa that he could also be available this winter. Like Cowher, he has won a Super Bowl, but unilke Cowher he is younger and might be able to stay at one program for 10 more years. Will bring instant credibility to recruiting and should be able to employ a sophisticated offense. Think of him as the next Pete Caroll.


So there you have it, a handful of NFL retreads and some good college coaches who will turn down the job in .4 seconds. Hill, Rodriguez, and Ferentz would certainly be the top choices amongst college coaches. My feelings, however, is that the Wolverines would go for someone who has had success at the pro level. If any of these guys would actually be better than Lloyd Carr remains to be seen.