5 candidates to replace John Beilein at Michigan

1. Brian Dutcher

If Michigan wants to echo legendary football coach Bo Schembechler, and get a “Michigan man” for the men’s basketball program, Dutcher fits the bill. He served as a top assistant under former Wolverines’ coach Steve Fisher from 1989-1998, then followed Fisher to San Diego State for 18 more seasons as an assistant before taking over as head coach.

In two seasons as head coach of the Aztecs, Dutcher has topped 20 wins in both (43-24 overall record) with one NCAA Tournament berth. He is known as a top-notch recruiter, helping to court “The Fab Five” to Ann Arbor together back in the day and helping to bring an unknown kid named Kawhi Leonard to San Diego State.

Dutcher waited a long time for his first head coaching job, serving as “coach in waiting” under Fisher for six years. So leaving San Diego State might be tough to do when it comes down to it, especially at this late point in time heading into next season. But if there’s a job Dutcher would most easily leave for on his own terms, now or ever, it would almost surely be Michigan.

From the school’s end, they should already have made contact with Dutcher. He’s as close to a slam-dunk candidate to replace Beilein as there could be.