Wolverine Wednesday: Talks About Practice and Contracts

Brady Hoke signed his new Michigan contract on Monday.  He will make $2M this year and get regular bonuses that could increase his salary to an average of  $3.5M a year over the 6 year term of the contract.  Part of his bonus structure is a $1.5M "Stay Bonus" if he stays at Michigan after 3 years.

• Michigan's top QB prospect for the 2012 class Zeke Pike was on campus to visit with the coaches and watch practice on Tuesday.  Here is what Zeke had to say:   I think the coaches they have are the perfect coaches to get Michigan back to Michigan. I think Coach Hoke is doing a very good job with bringing tradition back. There was so much fire, intensity, and energy at practice. It just looks like there's a lot of competition on the field and you need that to be great. I think the right coaches are in place and that's exciting. I think it's a great opportunity to be that next guy at Michigan. It's a program on a national stage, when you say Michigan football people turn their heads. I'm excited to continue to build the relationships.
• Here are some pictures from the practice.
• Clayton, OH ILB Kaleb Ringer will announce his decision on 4/15.  Many expect him to pick the Wolverines. 
• TomVH gives us a scouting report on new Michigan verbal Caleb Stacey
• Urban Meyer was at Michigan's practice yesterday working for ESPN
• One of the biggest mysteries from the RR time at Michigan was how he was handling the RB's.  Practice reports were that Michael Cox might be one of Michigan's best athletes.  Yesterday, with the media at practice Michael was running with the #1's.  He would seem a perfect fix for Al Borgus offense.   
• Speaking of RR, he will be on HBO's real sports tonight.

Michigan Thursday: Gives my $.02 on the Next Head Coach at Michigan

I'm sure all of you like me have been taking a lot of time thinking about who the next Michigan head coach might/should be. 

I would like to get a few things out of the way first:

1. Jimmy is not coming here.  The Dolphins owner is willing to pay him the highest contact in the NFL and the 49ers are probably will get close to that number as well.
2. Kurt Herstreit is not to be trusted with any Michigan coaching rumors.  He still would be "shocked" if Harbaugh isn't Michigan's next coach.
3. I'm betting that Desmond Howard will be giving David Brandon a lot of advice on this hire.  He was the only person that was in contact with David Brandon between the two RR meetings this week.
4. I don't see a viable "Michigan Man" option.  IMO you don't fire Rich Rod and hire Brady Hoke.   That would be going from a Cadillac (ok one that didn't run great all the time) to a Taurus when you are willing to spend more money on a car above the Cadillac.   They are both good cars but not in the same class. 
5. I'm basing this decision on guys who I think would consider the job and willing to take it.  Also someone that would be willing to be announced as the next head coach by this weekend.  

Here are my top two candidates:

#1 Pat Fitzgerald: Pat is the best young coach in the Big Ten.  He has Big Ten experience and has a great relationship with his players.  He has learned to be a HC on Northwesterns dime and will continue to be a great HC.  He is young and runs the spread, which would keep Denard happy.  He also was a good Big Ten linebacker and would make sure Michigan's re-built it's defense.   Northwestern is his school and I'm not sure he would want to leave for another Big Ten school that has competed against.  Michigan would probably could double his salary.  His current DC also played under Bo at Michigan.

#1A Kyle Wittingham:  Kyle has been the head coach of Utah for 6 years.  A couple of years ago he had an undefeated team that beat both Michigan and Alabama.  He has been able to keep Utah a ranked program after Urban Meyer left for Florida.  He is 51 and has a lot of coaching years left.  He is a hard nose guy that could really re-build the toughness this team has been lacking.   He also runs the spread and would be a good fit with the current Michigan personnel.   Would he be willing to move to the Big 10 with Utah set to move t#o the PAC 12 next year?  Michigan would be able to more then double his $1.2M salary.   He is also an Urban Meyer disciple.

If I'm David Brandon, those are two phone calls that I make for sure.