DFP
THE CANDIDATES: Who will replace Carr? The men U-M might consider
November 19, 2007
FREE PRESS STAFF SERVICES
Les Miles; Louisiana State head coach
PRO: Former U-M player under Bo Schembechler and assistant coach has spoken in the past of his desire to coach in Ann Arbor. Is considered open to any type of offense and defense and has a history of hiring top coordinators. LSU is ranked No..1 and is a strong recruiter. Also won as Oklahoma State coach.
CON: Timetable is an issue because if the Tigers stay No..1, they will play in the BCS title game Jan..7. He?s unlikely to leave during a championship run and U-M might need a coach sooner. LSU can make a strong financial push to keep him if he wins title. Faces $1.25 million buyout to come to U-M (but $0 for any other school).
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Kirk Ferentz; Iowa head coach
PRO: Rebuilt Iowa into a Big Ten title contender, was hired at Iowa by U-M president Mary Sue Coleman, is close with Carr. Has NFL experience as an assistant. Knows the Big Ten. Has strong defensive teams and has recruited elite talent out of Detroit area. Clean reputation in recruiting and regarding NCAA rules.
CON: Has struggled this season to a 6-6 record and faced a number of off-field problems with his players. Makes nearly $3 million a year, almost double what Carr makes.
Mike DeBord; U-M offensive coordinator
PRO: Knows ins and outs of U-M?s program, would likely be able to keep U-M?s strong recruiting class, would probably keep the staff mostly intact. Was Division I head coach at Central Michigan. Close friend of Carr.
CON: Struggled at CMU (12-34). U-M offense failed to meet preseason expectations this year. Might be too close to Carr, not enough change for some observers.
Ron English; U-M defensive coordinator
PRO: Defense has played strong for long stretches during his two seasons as coordinator. Is an excellent recruiter and is dynamic, especially on the West Coast. Loved by his players.
CON: No head coaching experience. Defense has suffered major breakdowns at end of last season and beginning of this one.
Jim Harbaugh; Stanford head coach
PRO: Former U-M quarterback. Longtime NFL quarterback. Was ultra-successful at non-scholarship University of San Diego in a scholarship league. Has turned around Stanford in just first year, upsetting then-No..1 USC.
CON: Publicly criticized U-M football program for its academic standards this summer. Has only one season of Division I coaching.
Jeff Tedford; California head coach
PRO: Is considered an offensive innovator and has won, pushing Cal into Pac-10 contention after decades of ineptitude. Has an escape clause from his $1.5-million-a-year contract if facility upgrades are not met.
CON: Has no Midwest roots and has given no indication that he wants to leave the West Coast.
Greg Schiano; Rutgers coach
PRO: Built Rutgers into a Big East title contender in less than a decade. Has elite experience and strong recruiting from his days as a Miami (Fla.) assistant. Makes less than Carr?s $1.6 million.
CON: Passed on Miami job last year, speculated to be waiting for the Penn State job to open when Joe Paterno retires. Was a Penn State assistant.
OTHERS
Carolina Panthers defensive coordinator Mike Trgovac (former U-M player).
Miami Dolphins coach Cam Cameron (former U-M assistant).
Cincinnati coach Brian Kelly (former Grand Valley State and Central Michigan coach).