Michigan Basketball: 3 dream candidates for replacing John Beilein

Michigan basketball is going to conduct a national search for its next head coach, but here are three guys that should sit atop the Wolverines wish list.

A year ago, Michigan basketball got a scare that head coach John Beilein might leave. That flirtation came with the Detroit Pistons and it felt real.

It also felt like Michigan basketball dodged a bullet. Soon after, the Wolverines signed Beilein to an extension and maybe it lulled us into believing that the head coach was going to be in Ann Arbor for a long time to come.

However, Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel had the feeling that Beilein would leave if another NBA opportunity came around, that’s according to a report from the Detroit Free Press and so he apparently has a shortlist of names already, in addition to hiring a search firm.

Thanks to Beilein, being the head coach of Michigan basketball is a great job. The Wolverines have talent, an elite record over the past decade, both when it comes to winning and sending players to the NBA and the University has all the resources to help this program compete at the highest level.

It’s a chance for a coach to get a truly elite job at a program that’s ready to win now. Obviously, that means that Michigan can be choosy, however, guys like Jay Wright and Tony Bennett aren’t leaving anytime soon.

But there are still some elite coaches that could be legit possibilities. Michigan should shoot for the stars with this hire and if there was a wish list of coaching candidates, here are the three that top it.