Harbaugh Takes San Francisco Job: Brady Hoke Looks To Be Favorite for Michigan

Update Included Below:

It’s official.  Jim Harbaugh is no longer considered the front runner for the head coaching job at Michigan.  In fact, he’s no longer in the race now that it has been released that Harbaugh has accepted the head coaching position for the San Francisco 49ers. 

So, two of the top three still remain.  Les Miles is still there and Brady Hoke is literally chomping at the bit to come to Michigan.  The latest look would have me believe that, unless another qualified candidate surfaces, it will end up that Hoke walks away with an offer first.

As far as Miles is concerned, as unfortunate as it may appear, it’s not like the coach hasn’t had a shot at the position.  It is a bit more legitimate than many give it credit for. 

Miles had the chance to stay or go in 2007, however Michigan didn’t feel very good when a last minute decision kept Miles at LSU.  After a combined 17-9 in the ‘08 and ‘09 seasons, the coach has a 10-2 bowl record under his belt with the prospect of making it 11 looming.  It’s not a BCS championship but I still think from remarks that Les intends to stay put at LSU. 

Michigan would have to come with a pretty hot offer for him to voluntarily head back north.  Today’s Cotton Bowl will also weigh in on the decision to make an offer to Miles or to wait.  One game does not make a season, but it sure can tell you a lot!

Updated info: LSU AD Joe Alleva has released a statement regarding Les Miles that reads as follows:

“I have not been contacted by anyone from the University of Michigan about Les Miles.  Les Miles is LSU’s head coach and we are going to do everything we can to keep it that way.  He has had great success here and we plan to keep enjoying that success under his leadership.”

No additional comment has surfaced but we expect things to break reasonably quick regarding an outcome since Michigan is under the gun to get the position filled.

Other names have been tossed around, including a more than casual interest in Pat Fitzgerald, but he has indicated he will remain at Northwestern. 

Kyle Wittingham of Utah is another spread offense head coach worth mentioning.  He has held Utah together for six years after Urban Myer’s departure, and Utah is headed for the PAC-12.  Wittingham may be the “dark horse” in the race.

When all is said and done, the university probably needs to settle on someone, probably by the weekend.  Harbaugh’s announcement may spur Michigan into action.