Captain Kirk?

What happens if we play Western Michigan?

Brian at mgoblog is reporting a "rumor" with some facts behind it that Michigan has offered it's head coaching job to Kirk Ferentz of Iowa. As you might remember, Iowa got beat by Western Michigan last week.

Why Kirk? Well, Michigan's President Mary Sue Coleman is good friends with Kirk and hired him at Iowa. Kirk is always rumored and has been offered NFL jobs in the past. He is known as a solid coach, but this year was not his best with some bad losses (including Western Michigan and Iowa State). He is also the highest paid coach in the Big Ten and in the top 5 paid coaches nationally. (He made close to $5 million last year!)

Brian believes that "the Captain" will most likely turn down the offer in his loyalty to Iowa and that Michigan will never confirm it was offered.

Brian also breaks a "rumor" that the Grand Valley State's AD has been contacted by two programs doing research on Brian Kelly. Those two schools are Michigan and Norte Dame.

My thoughts:

Kirk is a safe pick for Michigan. He is a solid coach and would continue right where Lloyd left off. I think he is a good man and a good fit for Michigan. With that said, I don't think he is the right fit, right now. The reason being, at Michigan we want things that Lloyd brought to the program including; loyalty, pride, character and always putting Michigan first. I agree with all that, but we also need a good guy that will bring some new ideas and a fresh approach to game strategy. I don't believe Kirk would do that. I believe we would see a lot of the same conservative approach that we all have gotten used to. There has to be a candidate that can bring the Michigan philosophy along with a fresh new approach. Kirk's 6-6 record this year and poor recruiting doesn't bring the change Michigan needs.

If he was hired: I would support it, but not my first choice.

If Mike Debord is hired: I will jump off a bridge.

This also means, Les Miles is not Michigan's #1 candidate.

Glad Michigan is looking at Brian Kelly. Interesting that Norte Dame is as well.

Goodtime Charlie might be on the way out?

Also: There are now a number of jobs available out there and Michigan can not wait to get their top guy. Nebraska and Texas AM are good jobs that some people will jump at. For example, Bo Pelini the DC at LSU might be a candidate for Nebraska and a candidate for LSU if Les left.