Michigan Football: Les Miles Spurns Wolverines, Is Brady Hoke Next?

For years now we have listened to Les Miles tell anyone who will listen that Michigan is his dream job.

Just yesterday there were persistent rumors reported by ESPN that Miles would accept the job if it was offered to him. 

But now the LSU athletic director has said Miles will remain at LSU, a job he has thrived at since 2005. Miles has yet to have a losing season at LSU, won five of six bowl games and won a national championship.

While LSU has been consistently good since Miles' arrival, Michigan has been in a rebuilding process over the last few seasons. 

Now Michigan will likely go to a coach with less star power, unless they somehow can convince a Jon Gruden, Bill Cowher or Brian Billick to come to the college ranks, which is highly unlikely.

The new favorite will undoubtedly be Brady Hoke of San Diego State. 

Hoke was a defensive line coach at Michigan for several seasons before taking the head coaching reins at Ball State in 2003. 

At Ball State, Hoke turned a perennial loser into a team that posted winning seasons in his last two years there. In his final season at Ball State, the Cardinals went 12-1 and Ball State became ranked for the first time ever.

Hoke used his success to get the head coaching job at San Diego State, where he turned another perennial loser into a winner in just his second season, as the Aztecs went 9-4 in 2010 and won a bowl game. 

Hoke's resume is impressive, and he would be a great fit for Michigan. Michigan's biggest weakness is its defense, and that is Hoke's specialty. Hoke has shown the ability to turn around teams, and that is exactly what Michigan needs. Lastly, he fits the criteria of being a "Michigan Man," which is ever important to Michigan's fanbase.

An additional bonus to Hoke is that he likely will bring to Michigan many of the recruits he had for 2011 at San Diego State—including three 3-stars, according to scout.com—in addition to the recruits the Wolverines already have. 

According to Hoke, he has yet to hear from athletic director Dave Brandon. But with Miles out of the picture, it shouldn't be long before he hears from Brandon.

If Brandon waits too long and loses out on Hoke, his job could be on the line, as many at Michigan are already disgruntled with Michigan's hiring process.