Michigan Basketball: Big names ruled out in head coaching search

Michigan basketball expressed interest in some high-profile targets but big names like Brad Stevens and Billy Donovan, among others, aren’t interested.

It’s been pretty clear that athletic director Warde Manuel views Michigan basketball as an elite head-coaching job.

That’s why we have heard some big names kicked around like Brad Stevens, Billy Donovan, Jay Wright, Tony Bennett and Chris Beard.

Each of those coaches has either won or coached in the national championship game and while any of them would be an ideal fit, according to Sam Webb of the Michigan Insider ($), we can already rule out Stevens, Donovan and Greg Marshall of Wichita State.

Another name that we can likely rule out is Beard of Texas Tech. He has been described as a Texas guy and it just doesn’t seem like a fit. There is also talk that he has his eyes on the NBA eventually.

The fact that Marshall isn’t a serious candidate shouldn’t come as a huge surprise. Michigan isn’t the first big school to come after him and it won’t be the last. He just doesn’t seem ready to leave and at the very least, he’s not leaving to be the head coach of Michigan basketball.

Heard from a source that Texas might be willing to negotiate Shaka Smart's buyout if Michigan wants him.
— Michael Spath (@MichaelSpathITH) May 16, 2019

Stevens always seemed like a long shot to me. There are very few jobs that could lure him away from the NBA and Michigan isn’t one of them. Duke seems like it might be, if he had the chance to replace Coach K. Otherwise, he seems to enjoy the NBA and if the Celtics fired him, even after next season, he wouldn’t be without a job for long.

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The most disappointing name of the list of guys Webb says aren’t interested in the job is Donovan. With two national titles under his belt and his standing with the Thunder somewhat precarious, it seemed like there could be genuine interest there.

Yet, it’s no secret that Donovan is no fan of recruiting. He does only have one year remaining on his deal with Oklahoma City, but maybe he doesn’t want to return to college after all. Either way, he won’t be on the sidelines at Michigan.

On another front, Shaka Smart continues to get mentioned and according to Webb, Donovan actually recommended Smart, his former assistant, as a candidate.

Realistically, Beard, Bennett and Wright were never going to be possibilities. Now that Donovan and Stevens are out, where does that leave the Wolverines?

Smart is one option, as is LaVall Jordan with Butler. Ed Cooley of Providence is getting some traction while there are also some rumblings now about Frank Martin (South Carolina), Johnny Dawkins (UCF) and Larry Krystkowiak (Utah).

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Despite what Jeff Goodman reported about Mike White not being interested, Michigan should still go after him hard. Make him one of the highest-paid guys in the country. Otherwise, Manuel could be choosing between Juwan Howard, Smart, Jordan, Dawkins, Martin or Krystkowiak.

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