As noted Michigan historian and Michigan football insider John U. Bacon likes to say, when it comes to the search for the Wolverines next head, nobody knows anything.
Michigan football fired head coach Sherrone Moore two weeks ago. The Wolverines still don't have a replacement in place. They waited to see if Kalen DeBoer and Alabama would lose in the College Football Playoff to be able to pursue him, but that didn't happen.
Kenny Dillingham also signed an extension with Arizona State, taking him out of the mix. The attention then shifted to Jeff Brohm. Michigan made contact with Brohm earlier this week. The Louisville coach won his ninth game with the Cardinals on Tuesday, for the third straight season, but certainly sounded like a guy who was going to stay at his alma mater (Louisville) just like Dillingham did.
Remember, Brohm also rebuffed Penn State. We'll see. Outside of Brohm, it feels like there are a couple of other realisitic candidates, but the board seems thin if we're being honest.
Here are three names to know as Michigan decides whether or no to offer Jeff Brohm, and he decides whether or not to take it.
3. Adam Stenavich, Packers OC
We mentioned the former Michigan football standout, who is now in his eighth season with the Green Bay Packers, as one of our dark-horse candidates. He started as the offensive line coach before being promoted to offensive coordinator in 2021.
Stenavich doesn't call plays. Matt LaFleur does. However, his football knowledge has been praised by Packers players.
Michigan's identity has been built on the offensive line and defense. Stenavich could certainly keep the offensive line elite. With his ties to the NFL, you would have to think he would put together a solid staff.
It might seem like a long shot, but also feels more realistic by the day.
2. Kyle Whittingham
The only downside about Kyle Whittingham is his age (66). If he was 56 years old, it feels like he might have been hired already.
ESPN ranked him among the top 10 coaches in college football last season. He followed that up with a 10-win season. He's won multiple conference championships at Utah, had a perfect season that included a Sugar Bowl win over Alabama, and has won 66 percent of his games.
Curt Cignetti is 64 years old. Biff Poggi is also 65 years old. Would Michigan seriously consider giving him the job and pass on an elite head coach who has expressed interest and doesn't have a job for next season, because of age, when he's the same age as Biff?
With Michigan's resources, it would be interesting to see what Kyle Whittingham could do. Hell, it would have been really interesting to see the results in 2025 if he were at the helm.
It would take some convincing to keep Bryce Underwood. But Whittingham is a proven winner, and his quarterbacks have had success, such as Cam Rising. He would need to hire a big-time OC, but if Brohm says no, Michigan should pivot to Whittingham and stop fooling around.
1. Jeff Brohm
We should know more about Jeff Brohm in the next few days. Wednesday should provide some clarity. He's been working on a contract with Louisville. An extension could be announced, or there could be some buzz about a Michigan offer.
Over the past few days, we have made the case for Brohm more than once. But over the past five seasons, at Purdue/Louisville, he's won 68 percent of his games, played for two conference championships, and beaten seven ranked teams, including two in the top five.
Brohm would be an upgrade. I view him as the opposite of Dillingham: higher floor, lower ceiling.
Michigan fans acting like Brohm would be a disaster haven't been paying attention. Sherrone Moore was a walking disaster. U-M needs an adult. Jeff Brohm would be that, as well as a damn good coach.