Michigan has not hired a head coach, and will conduct a “national search” for a new one. Neither cost nor Michigan past will be the decisive factor. Athletic director Dave Brandon will focus on rebuilding the defense. “There’s a thought of getting a defensive-minded everything. I want the ball boys to be defensive minded,” Brandon said.

Brandon addressed the Harbaugh speculation as directly as he could. He admitted to friendly contact with Harbaugh and stated hsi belief Harbaugh was “heading to the NFL.” He denied there was “a contract” but was vague on the details between the Ohio State game and now. Reading between the lines, the report that some form of understanding between Harbaugh and Michigan broke down last weekend seems plausible.

He and others discredited the ludicrous “Michigan Man” concept. Michigan has a winning tradition. The next coach needs to respect, to understand and to uphold that tradition, not necessarily to have been a part of it in the past.  Basically, the next coach needs to win.  Rich Rodriguez did not win. He did not win against the benchmark programs He met neither the expectations of fans nor those “Michigan athletic directors.” That’s why he was fired.

The decision won’t be hasty. Brandon will emphasize Michigan’s long-term future over expediency and the integrity of the current recruiting class. That’s for the best, if it leads to the right decision.  Brandon’s words are comforting, but without Harbaugh his play here is risky.  The potential setback from hiring another underwhelming coach is terrifying.  Brandon is a smart guy.  He has also backed himself into a corner.

Extending the search beyond Michigan alumni/former coaches hurts Brady Hoke’s chances. I like other candidates, but I still maintain perceptions of him are affected by his resemblance to Mike Golic and Jeff Garlin. He’s a competent football coach. He brought a decrepit San Diego State program to nine wins in two years.  There are, however, legitimate concerns about his ability to recruit and to do more than stabilize the situation.  If he wasn’t a former Michigan assistant, would he be a candidate?

Michigan may be a top-ten job, maybe not, but Brandon’s stated willingness to pay for value will increase their changes to land a top-caliber head coach. Michigan Men Hoke and Miles are the natural names to pop out. Though, besides Harbaugh, there seems to be no obvious choice.

Here are a few possible targets.

Gary Patterson: He’s the best defensive coach in the country. Michigan could more than double his $1.6 million salary. He’s coming off an undefeated season and a Rose Bowl win over Wisconsin. He has maxed out what he can do at TCU, six 11-win seasons since 2003 and three consecutive top ten finishes. He turned down a $2 million offer from Minnesota. Would he turn down a $4 million one from Michigan?

Chris Petersen: He has a 61-5 record and two top-five finishes since taking over Boise State in 2006.  He developed the Broncos into one of the country’s top teams without the requisite talent. He may be content taking another run with his current Boise State team, but the Broncos catapulting down the polls after the missed field goal showed how razor thin his margin for error is. Michigan could triple his salary. Top-level college jobs don’t come open every year.  It may not be for him, but an inquiry may be made.

Mike Stoops: He is a Big Ten guy. He’s from Ohio. He played and was an assistant at Iowa. He won a national title as an assistant with his brother at Oklahoma. He built Arizona from nothing into a consistently competitive team. He seems to have hit Arizona’s ceiling. Michigan could triple his salary. But, do you really want the face of your school being a guy who looks as though he’s about to have a brain aneurysm every few minutes on the sideline?

Jon Gruden: He’s a Midwest guy. His personality would fit at Michigan. He could recruit. The issue would be his staying power. Michigan needs someone to stay and rebuild, not a coach whose agent publicizes him as a candidate for every NFL job.

Kirby Smart: Smart is one of the best defensive coordinator’s in the country. Clearly, he has a handle on how to shut down Michigan State. Smart just received a $100,000 raise to keep him at Alabama. But; he probably would be willing to leave for a head coaching gig. He’s a Saban protégé. He’s a strong recruiter. Smart only 35 and short on experience, but the experience he does have is really, really impressive.

If I had a gun to my head? They pick Miles. He’s a known commodity. He’s malleable offensively.  He can recruit an athletic defense.  Brandon saves face. According to his contract, the Michigan buyout clause is $1.25 million, which would be affordable.  U of M saved more than that not firing Rodriguez before the bowl game.  It’s a move Michigan could make easily if he is on board.  Lloyd Carr’s dislike of him would be less of a problem.

Hoke is the fall back. I think they would make a move for Patterson, but I’m not sure he would be interested.  Of course, the door stays open for Harbaugh throughout the process, should he change his mind.

[Photo via Getty]