Rich Rodriguez Fired: 10 Dream Coaching Candidates Michigan Wolverine Fans Want
Yesterday reports came out that Rich Rodriguez was fired followed by reports that he wasn't. Well, once again, it's being reported that Rich Rod's days at Ann Arbor are over. Poor Rodriguez, who has been trudged along like a dieing deer—with little hope of surviving—over the past months has finally been put out of his misery.
Now the focus will turn to who should succeed Rich Rod. There are a number of candidates that will be mentioned over the upcoming days and some will be realistic while others won't. Instead of focusing on realistic candidates, I've decided to look at coaches who Michigan fans would die for.
With that being said let's get started, so close your eyes Wolverine fans and start to dream because these are the candidates you wish you could have.
Jon Gruden
1 of 10
Gruden is linked to almost every high-profile coaching job when it comes to college football and almost any NFL opening. With Rich-Rod officially gone, there's no question Gruden's name will start to float around just like it did when the Miami job opened up.
But don't count on him stepping out of the broadcast booth to come to Ann Arbor. Through all of the speculation about Gruden returning to coaching none of it has come from his mouth.
Gruden seems to like his nice gig being a color analyst for Monday Night Football and doing other work for ESPN. It appears the fiery coach will remain in the booth for at least another year.
Urban Meyer
2 of 10
Even though Meyer just finished up at Florida and is now heading off into the sunset to take time away from coaching, that doesn't mean his name won't be mentioned as a possible replacement.
Meyer's won two national championships with Florida and is regarded as one of the best coaches in college football. If he were to have a change of heart and decide to return to coaching Michigan would be an option.
But it doesn't seem like Meyer would do that to the Florida faithful so soon. Meyer will return to coaching one day, it just won't be next season.
Jim Harbaugh
3 of 10
Michigan's No. 1 target throughout its chase for a new coach has been Harbaugh. Harbaugh has become the it coach after leading Stanford to a remarkable season. Many felt that Harbaugh would accept the job at his alma mater, but that doesn't appear to be the case after reports have surfaced that he isn't likely to go to Michigan.
Nevertheless Harbaugh's fiery passion has Wolverine fans licking their chops at the thought of him roaming the sidelines for their team. Unfortunately, it just isn't going to happen as Harbaugh has his sights on the NFL.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
Bill Cowher
4 of 10
Cowher's name has been mentioned for possible jobs ever since he stepped away from the Pittsburgh Steeler organization. While Cowher has never coached at the college level that doesn't mean he couldn't turn around the Michigan program.
Cowher has the passion, defensive background and resume that is coveted. But the problem with Cowher to Michigan is that he has always been an NFL guy and always will be.
The former Steeler coach released his wish list a few weeks ago and none of the teams on it were in the college ranks. When Cowher returns, it will be on an NFL sideline.
Les Miles
5 of 10
Michigan took a run at Miles during the 2007 but it failed as Miles chose to stay at LSU. There is already speculation that Miles could be a target again. On paper it makes sense because Michigan is Miles' alma mater, but mostly because Miles' situation at LSU isn't as good as it was during the 2007 season—the Tigers won the national championship that year.
Miles has a reputation for being a risky player-caller, who isn't afraid to gamble with the game on the line. This is something that Michigan fans would certainly rally behind.
But when it's all said and done don't expect Miles to leave his comfortable position at LSU to rebuild the Wolverine program.
Chris Petersen
6 of 10
The Boise St. coach has made a name for himself by turning the Broncos into a perennial college football power. Whether or not he makes the jump for a big time college coaching position is yet to be determined.
Petersen is an innovated offensive mind, who could do wonderful things with Denard Robinson. The success Petersen has had at Boise is not joke; this guy will be successful wherever he coaches.
While Petersen would excite fans he isn't a "Michigan Man" which immediately eliminated Petersen's candidacy.
Gary Patterson
7 of 10
Patterson just led the TCU Horned Frogs to an undefeated 13-0 season, which was capped off with a 21-19 victory over Wisconsin. Over the past two seasons Patterson's Horned Frogs have gone 25-1 and yet there isn't much noise about him leaving.
Michigan was terrible on defense this season and bringing in Patterson, who's defense was the best in college football by the numbers, would be a big selling point to Wolverine fans.
TCU is set to join the Big East which allows the Horned Frogs a much easier pass to a BCS bowl berth year in and year out. With the program continuing to rise at TCU, it doesn't seem likely that Patterson would be interested in a rebuilding project.
Tony Dungy
8 of 10
Dungy is the ultimate "dream" candidate for Michigan fans. He's highly respected, had success at the NFL level and played in the Big Ten. Luring Dungy back into coaching would be extremely difficult as he has settled in as an NFL ambassador-type to players.
If Dungy were to accept the Wolverines job it would bring them back instant credibility. Players across the nation would flock to play for Dungy and Michigan would be a powerhouse once again.
Sorry Michigan fans, this just isn't happening.
Bo Pelini
9 of 10
The Nebraska coach has posted back-to-back double-digit win seasons including two bowl wins. Pelini has yet to bring the Cornhuskers to a BCS bowl game and they are set to move to the Big Ten next season.
With the move to the Big Ten it could be possible that Pelini would jump to a more storied program at Michigan. But don't count on it seeing as he has a good thing going at Nebraska and leaving for Michigan could backfire if he doesn't produce wins right away.
Pelini is a coach on the rise and will eventually leave Nebraska for an even bigger job, but it won't be Michigan.
Jeff Fisher
10 of 10
Fisher's time with Tennessee could be winding down depending on what direction owner Bud Adams wants to go in. If Fisher is indeed let go he would quickly become a coveted coach.
He's never coached in the college ranks but with his overall head coaching experience it wouldn't be a big deal dropping down a level. Recruits want a coach who can help them make it to the NFL and having Fisher leading the way would bring in a ton of five-star players.
Don't count on this one either, though. Fisher will likely survive in Tennessee and even if he's let go he may go the route of Gruden and Cowher—and take some time off.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
