The Michigan Wolverines are now in the market for a new basketball coach, as John Beilein left the program to become head coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers. Beilein, who signed a five year deal with the Cavs, won two Big Ten Tournaments and two Big Ten regular season championships with the Wolverines.
He also led Michigan to two national runner-up appearances. However, his time has come and now Michigan must move on.
Juwan Howard, Miami Heat Assistant Coach
The ultimate outside the box hire, it’s a bit reminiscent of Chris Mullin taking over at St. John’s (although that didn’t work out too well) or Anfernee Hardaway assuming the head coaching position at Memphis. Howard has no college coaching experience or head coaching experience at any level.
However, if you’re a branding manager, this is your dream hire. And he has spent six seasons as a NBA assistant.
Porter Moser, Head Coach Loyola
There is kind of a Shaka Smart vibe to Moser, as the big boy programs want him, but he’s rebuffed the first round of overtures. If he does decided to move on up from Rogers Park, then he shouldn’t waste too much more time. Smart didn’t strike when the iron was at its hottest, but Moser still can.
Although it’s worth noting that he’s a bit of a one-year-wonder, as he’s only made one NCAA Tournament in eight years at Loyola.
Internal Candidates
At this late point in the cycle, Michigan basketball could end up being led by an interim, and they may just elevate someone currently on the staff when all is said and done. The main two assistant coaches in play are Saddi Washington and Luke Yaklich
Washington would have the upper hand, probably, as he served as interim head coach in Ann Arbor when Beilein took leave for heart surgery. Yaklich is considered a rising prospect in the coaching world, but he’s never been a head man; neither has Washington.
The other assistant on staff is Deandre Haynes, while some have also tossed out the idea of promoting Director of Basketball Operations Chris Hunter.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, the author of “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets:Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry,” regularly appears on WGN CLTV and co-hosts the “Let’s Get Weird, Sports” podcast on SB Nation.
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