3 realistic candidates for Michigan basketball head coach

The easy part for Michigan basketball is over. Juwan Howard was fired on Friday. That was the no-brainer, at least based on performance. His history with the Wolverines is what made it feel so difficult.

It needed to happen though. Another season under Juwan Howard was too big of a risk, especially after Michigan basketball lost at least 12 games in four of his five seasons. Now, the Wolverines need to find a replacement.

It’s easy to throw out names like Jay Wright and even John Beilein but I don’t see either of those being realistic. Michigan isn’t a blue-blood anymore. It took Beilein a long time to get it there and college basketball has changed drastically since he left.

Michigan is a football school. So this isn’t Duke, Kansas, Kentucky, or North Carolina with an opening. That might get Wright’s attention. Michigan won’t, so let’s not waste time.

The Wolverines need a proven head coach or at least someone with experience winning in the NCAA tournament. That’s what I want to see (along with defensive prowess) and here are three realistic candidates.

Porter Moser, Oklahoma

Michigan basketball fans will remember meeting up with Porter Moser in the Final Four, back when Beilein was the head coach. Since then, he’s left Loyola to coach Oklahoma and while the Sooners haven’t had as much success, they have still had a top-50 defense the past three seasons according to the Kenpom rankings. They are also set to get back to the big dance.

Moser also has been connected to plenty of jobs in the Midwest. There was talk of Depaul hiring him and you’d have to think that Michigan would appeal to him. Oklahoma and Michigan are pretty similar in basketball prestige and if he prefers the Midwest, the Wolverines could land him.

He’s the kind of proven coach they need and it feels like he would at least get Michigan back to making the NCAA tournament consistently.

Shaka Smart, Marquette

The Wolverines also beat Shaka Smart in the NCAA tournament with VCU. Smart was also a candidate the last time Michigan basketball had an opening. He’s not at Marquette and has done a great job there.

It’s fair to ask if he would leave Marquette for Michigan. But the Big Ten is still an upgrade from the Big East conference. Michigan could likely give him a bigger contract and more exposure.

As far as proven coaches, Smart might be the biggest name Michigan can get. His defenses have been in the top 55 in each of the past three seasons and is 18th in the Kenpom for adjusted defense in the 2023-24 season.

Smart has nine 20-win seasons to his credit. He’s also won 20 games at three different schools so he’d be perfect for those looking for a “proven winner.”

Dusty May, FAU

After reaching the Final Four last season, May’s star has been on the rise. He’s got 19s wins in six seasons. The Owls have never had a losing season under May and after a 24-7 season, they should be back in the NCAA tournament. The defense has fallen off a little this season but they were top-20 a year ago.

Ohio State and Louisville have been mentioned as possible destinations, but the Owls are projected to make the NCAA tournament again, which means waiting to hire him. Michigan would have to beat out some other programs but it feels like Ohio State might stick with Jake Diebler.

Louisville could offer stiff competition but May does have ties to the Midwest. Indiana is his alma mater and it feels like the Big Ten would be attractive to him.

These are realistic candidates but it’s also possible Michigan basketball strikes out on all three. However, hiring of these guys as head coach would be a huge win for the Wolverines.

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