It feels like the search for Michigan football's next head coach is in a bit of a waiting period. It's also not hard to figure out why.
Despite his public statements that he won't be taking the Michigan football job, Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer seems to be the top target of the Wolverines. He is rumored to have been working on a contract extension with Alabama, yet it hasn't been signed yet, sort of like Kenny Dillingham's.
If either coach puts pen to paper, you can take them out of the race. That hasn't happened yet, but some new names have emerged such as Jeff Brohm, the Louisville head coach.
Alabama plays Oklahoma on Friday night, and right or wrong, it seems that Michigan views that as an inflection point. A loss would end Alabama's season, allowing DeBoer to pursue the job if he wanted.
What timeline makes sense for Michigan football
So don't expect Michigan football to hire a head coach before the weekend, or before the weekend is over. DeBoer will get time to think, and Michigan will try to make him an offer he can't refuse.
Most likely, he says no, and Michigan will then need to pivot to Dillingham or Jeff Brohm, who has been mentioned as a head coach candidate in recent days.
With the portal opening on January 2nd, and two recruits having asked out of their NLI's already, time is of the essence. It's worth waiting for DeBoer to say no in a conversation that doesn't take place in front of the media.
If DeBoer says no, though, Michigan needs to act quickly. It needs to have a coach hired this next week, and early next week feels like a reasonable prediction for a new hire to be announced.
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