Fansided

5 candidates to replace John Beilein at Michigan

By Brad Berreman

DES MOINES, IOWA - MARCH 23: Head coach John Beilein of the Michigan Wolverines shouts against the Florida Gators during the second half in the second round game of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Wells Fargo Arena on March 23, 2019 in Des Moines, Iowa. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
DES MOINES, IOWA - MARCH 23: Head coach John Beilein of the Michigan Wolverines shouts against the Florida Gators during the second half in the second round game of the 2019 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Wells Fargo Arena on March 23, 2019 in Des Moines, Iowa. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images) /
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John Beilein is making the jump to the NBA with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Here are five candidates to be the next coach at Michigan.

According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, Michigan head coach John Beilein will make the jump to the NBA and has agreed to five-year deal to coach the Cleveland Cavaliers. That leaves Michigan with a big decision to make.

Over 12 seasons in Ann Arbor, Beilein had a 278-150 record with nine NCAA Tournament appearances, four Big Ten Tournament and regular season titles and two Final Fours. Over 27 total seasons as a Division I college coach, at Canisius, Richmond, West Virginia and Michigan, he has a 571-235 record (.637 winning percentage).

Beilein discussed NBA job openings with the Detroit Pistons and Orlando Magic last year, before deciding to return to Michigan. So the school probably isn’t blindsided by him making that jump. But at this fairly late stage it will be a challenge to replace any coach, let alone one as successful as Beilein.

Even with the departures of Jordan Poole, Charles Matthews and Ignas Brazdeikus, the Wolverines should have a roster able to compete at the top of the Big Ten again next season. So while it’s not ideal for a coaching candidate to leave his current post in May, there’s appeal to the situation Beilein is leaving behind.

Michigan should be moving quickly in their coaching search, and here are five candidates to replace Beilein.

5. Patrick Beilein

Beilein played for his dad at West Virginia, then worked for his dad as a grad assistant at Michigan from 2008-2010. He moved to Dartmouth as an assistant, then Bradley as director of operations before becoming a head coach for the first time at West Virginia Wesleyan in 2012. After one season as an assistant under Quinn Snyder with the Utah Jazz, Beilein became head coach at Division II Le Moyne.

The younger Beilein was just hired as the new coach at Niagara in March. So it would be a quick pivot, but it’s worth wondering if Michigan will consider at interviewing the 36-year old in the search for his father’s replacement.