Michigan: Bowl Outlook and Coaching Candidates

There are two things on the minds of the Michigan faithful as they continue coping with a disastrous season.

Any team would be happy with a 2nd place conference finish, and the chance to visit a New Years day bowl.

But Michigan isn't just any team.

There are a few teams like them in sports alone. In a day where coaches come and go, Michigan is one that stays loyal. So you can understand why this coaching search is a big deal.

Another reason why Michigan isn't just any team is their bowl status. This is a team that expects to be in that New Years Day bowl, year in and year out.

Yet with Wisconsin accepting a bid to the Outback Bowl, it's the Capital One Bowl or bust. Both Illinois and Michigan have two in-conference losses, and Michigan actually beat Illinois, but Illinois has a better overall record. So it's a mystery as to just exactly who Capital One Bowl officials will select.

If all else fails, Michigan will make a return to the Alamo Bowl to take on a Big 12 team, most likely Oklahoma State.

The last visit to San Antonio was less than memorable for the Wolverines. After a year similar to this one, they fell to a mediocre Nebraska team in a game that was centered around controversy over the officiating.

So far Michigan has interviewed its two coordinators in its search, but the picture is relatively unfinished as far as who Michigan is targeting besides them and the favorite, Les Miles.

Now that Miles is out of the national title picture, the whole "waiting till after the bowl" scenario might be thrown out of the window. Les Miles has been very un-Sabanlike in his approach to the questions regarding Michigan. But now that he doesn’t have a National Title on his mind, he might stray from that position.

Yet Miles isn't the only candidate. Many names have been thrown around. Another favorite is another Michigan alumnus, Jim Harbaugh. Harbaugh is in his first year at Stanford, and the only reason he is mentioned at all is because he played at Michigan. His selection is unlikely though, because of his negative off-season comments toward Michigan.

A name being thrown around by optimistic fans is Cal's Jeff Tedford. There really isn't any rhyme or reason; it's just a fun name to thrown around. But Tedford isn't the answer.

Another high profile coach being rumored to take the job is in the Big Ten. Kirk Ferentz was hired when Michigan's current president was at Iowa. That's enough for eager rumor generators to throw his name into the hat. Plus Ferentz’s daughter is attending Michigan.

Ferentz isn't the only in-conference coach being considered a candidate. Wisconsin's Bret Bielema has been mentioned around the rumor mill, but it’s highly unlikely, considering Bielema is just not the type to do that to Wisconsin.

The one name that is causing a whole lot of commotion is Cincinnati's Brian Kelly.

One Wolverine fan may be totally in love with the idea, while the other might despise it. There seems to be no happy medium when it comes to the former Grand Valley and Central Michigan Head Coach.

One thing is for sure: he isn't the big name hiring most people expect. That might not be a bad thing either. Ohio State hired a guy from Youngstown State, and all he did was go out and end his team's blues against their hated rival, and win a National Title in quick fashion.

Kelly has the offensive mind to bring the Wolverines up to speed. Many think the Michigan way is outdated, and they are living in the past. Kelly can recruit, and he will stop at nothing to bring in a heaping helping of speed and quickness. 

If anyone thinks he isn't fit for such a high profile job, you are wrong. Kelly doesn't back down from a challenge, in fact he has jumped up a level every chance he's gotten. Don't think he wouldn't jump at the chance to return to the state of Michigan to take on the task of coaching its most storied program.

There is only one man for the job. One man that will make Wolverine fans sleep well at night. No more down seasons. No more humiliating bowl losses. No more crumbling at the feet of its most hated rival. 

Bo Schembechler's defining moment as Michigan AD came when Bill Frieder accepted a job to coach Arizona State's basketball team the next year. The problem was Michigan was about ready to play in the NCAA Tournament. 

Bo wouldn't hear any of it. Frieder wouldn't coach Michigan in the tournament. "A Michigan man will coach Michigan."

With all due respect to Bo and his illustrious quote, Brian Kelly can coach, he may not be a Michigan man, but he can coach Michigan.