Here are five outstanding options that are truly feasible for Michigan basketball’s needs as they look for a new head coach.
Less than a week has passed since the Michigan basketball head coach position went vacant, and it appears certain that a lofty hire such as Jay Wright or Billy Donovan is not going to happen.
Not even T.J. Otzelberger of Iowa State and Shaka Smart of Marquette are viable choices. After all he has accomplished, Smart will not be leaving Marquette. Michigan has a $18 million buyout offer from Otzelberger, which it will not meet.
While it’s exciting to consider those hires, let’s focus on applicants that Michigan basketball could really hire. These are the top five prospects who are also the most likely to succeed for the Wolverines.
Jerome Tang
The final section of this piece will examine a few of the dark-horse contenders. Kansas State’s Jerome Tang is beginning to gather steam.
Tuesday night’s NIT loss was disappointing for the Wildcats, but he guided Kansas State to the Elite 8 the previous season despite facing a great deal of change when he took over. That ought to instill hope in Michigan basketball supporters. The Bears defense hasn’t been the same since he left, despite his two years of head coaching experience. He was an assistant on the Baylor coaching staff.
In contrast, the Wildcats’ defenses have ranked in the top 25 in each of the previous two seasons. That sounds good to me, along with a guy who won three games in the NCAA tournament on his first visit. I’m aware that some Michigan supporters dislike Tang, but I’m not one of them.
Amir Abdur-Rahman
As reported by Sam Webb of The Michigan Insider, there is some interest in the South Florida head coach as well. Despite only having spent one season at South Florida, he guided the Bulls to a conference regular-season title.
With a career record of 70-81, Abdur-Rahim includes his four seasons as head coach at Kennesaw State, where he guided the Owls to the NCAA tournament. Even though he only won one game that season, it still demonstrates his ability to improve. He has experience as an assistant at Georgia and Texas A&M, and his brother was an NBA player.
Comments on Tarris Reed leaving Michigan basketball to go through the transfer portal
Although having Abdur-Rahim as an outstanding recruiter might be beneficial for Michigan basketball, if some other possibilities don’t pan out, this seems like a long shot.
Darian DeVries
I want to see more support for the Drake head coach. He played for Drake for six seasons, winning 20 games or more each time. The Bulldogs have won 24 games or more five times in his six seasons as head coach.
DeVries is also a member of the Dana Altman coaching tree. Technically speaking, he has led the Bulldogs to three NCAA tournament appearances. Along with winning the conference tournament twice and the regular-season championship, DeVries is also the recipient of the Missouri Valley Coach of the Year award.
It should come as no surprise that DeVries, who spent so much time at Creighton under Altman and Doug McDermott, is regarded as a master tactician. Tucker DeVries, his son, leads the Bulldogs in scoring with around 21 points per game and is expected to accompany his father.
The defensive numbers are the only thing that worries me. Kenpom shows that Drake’s defense has only had one top-50 performance. DeVries, though, believes he deserves greater recognition.
Dusty May
Dusty May has already been discussed extensively. After leading the Owls to the Final Four in the previous season, the head coach of Florida Atlantic has them back in the NCAA tournament.
I can see why you would want a coach who is more “proven” than that. However, I don’t think that’s feasible. I’m not sure whether Michigan basketball can find a coach with the qualifications to appease the rather unrealistic supporters.
Football from Michigan will always be ranked #1. The Michigan basketball team’s NIL is dubious, and the admissions requirements don’t help either. Terrence Shannon, Caleb Love, and Hunter Dickinson could have all been Wolverines this season if NIL/admissions hadn’t been a problem. If that were the case, Michigan would be playing this weekend rather than hosting a game under a head coach who has been sacked.
Thus, a coach who is willing to build is needed. Despite coaching at FAU, which isn’t a superpower and doesn’t have the NIL money of a college basketball power, May has concentrated on high school recruitment and was able to keep his squad together following last season’s Final Four run.
Niko Medved
Niko Medved, head coach of Colorado State, has been discussed since the Michigan head coach search began. He is said to have taken inspiration from John Beilein, and in four of his previous five seasons with the Rams, he has won 20 games or more.
But he’s made it to the NCAA tournament twice in 11 seasons, and he won his first game against Virginia on Tuesday night. Michigan basketball supporters were giddy on social media after that victory. There’s also a lot of talk suggesting that Medved would accept the position if it were offered.
It seems like Dusty May is the favorite. Not only would he be a great hire, but Medved would be much better. On his roster are three D-2 transfers. Though he has only won one conference title, he has won at least 17 games at three separate schools, and if the Wolverines are looking for another John Beilein, this could be the closest thing.
