Skeptics were waiting for a fireable offense to kick Kyle Whittingham out the door, and now they've got one.
Being 5-4 at Michigan and staring 5-7 in the face is justifiably unacceptable. There are no more excuses to be made for Whittingham, and he has to be one and done in Ann Arbor.
If Michigan decides to make a change again, then there are three coaches who will be on everyone's short list for Michigan football.
Price shouldn't be a hinderance if they intend to win and win fast like others.
3 coaches who could turn Michigan into instant winners
Jason Eck-New Mexico
New Mexico has the lowest-scoring defense in the country, and the Lobos' only loss came at the hands of a school that just fired its offensive coordinator. Since taking the head coaching gig at Idaho, he's won more games in every season there and is on pace to do the same at New Mexico. He has a real shot at making the College Football Playoff and will be in high demand around the country from schools that already have an opening. It doesn't hurt that Eck is from Big Ten country either.
Eck seems like the Curt Cignetti or Bob Chesney of this coaching cycle who could wind up somewhere like Maryland and turn them into an instant contender. Michigan has overlooked these types of coaches the last two years, and look where it has landed them, respectively. Would he be ready for the pressure that comes with the Michigan moniker?
Bob Chesney-UCLA
UCLA doesn't have an athletic director currently, and that may allow Chesney to become available. Coaches like Chesney are rare, and they usually don't skip town after one season, but certain circumstances don't help UCLA's favor. He is on a collision course with the man he succeeded at James Madison for Big Ten supremacy and back-to-back playoff appearances at schools that are not well-known for their football programs, like Michigan.
What makes Chesney and a potential Michigan marriage so appetizing is the way he runs the football. The Bruins hover around the top 10 at over 200 yards a clip. To my knowledge they have scored over 20 rushing touchdowns this season alone.
Chesney will be everyone's first choice, but would he bolt for the NFL with instant success at Michigan? That would leave Michigan in the same spot as when Jim Harbaugh left them a short time ago. Even Ralph Russo of the Athletic predicted that Chesney would be coaching the Wolverines by 2030. Could that process be sped up?
Bryant Haines-Indiana Defensive Coordinator
Regarded as one of the best coordinators in America, Haines would be a curveball in the wrench. He's better off taking a job at Maryland or Baylor first, then working his way up to the Big House, but he's been around Curt Cignetti so much that is bound to rub off on him sooner rather than later.
Indiana's defense is top three in points and has been for three years now. Besides being a first-time head coach, what more does Haines need to prove to be given a high-profile job like Michigan? Need proof, just look at all the success that former defensive coordinator Morgan Scalley is having at Utah.
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