Michigan Basketball: 5 best candidates to replace head coach John Beilein

By Erik Mauro | May 14, 2019

ARLINGTON, TX - MARCH 31: Head coach John Beilein of the Michigan Wolverines cuts down the net after their 79 to 59 win over the Florida Gators during the South Regional Round Final of the 2013 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at Dallas Cowboys Stadium on March 31, 2013 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

2 of 6

(Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /

Chris Beard

The first call from any school looking for a head coach should be to Chris Beard. The chances are he says no, but he should, and probably will get a call.

Beard just made a National Championship game in just his third year on the job, has a top 20 recruiting class next year, was the first coach to win a Big 12 regular season over Kansas in 15 years, tying with Kansas State. Oh, did I mention he’s doing this all at Texas Tech?

Beard comes with a high price, however, as his yearly salary of $4.75 million makes him one of the top five highest paid coaches in the nation.

Beard has the issue of never coaching up north, so the geographic fit isn’t the best, and when it comes to basketball recruiting, due to the emergence of AAU ball, geographic ties are very important for recruiting ties.

Beard is a proven recruiter in Texas so he would adapt, but the job just doesn’t really suit him. Not to mention the change in style, where the Wolverines would love to run the floor and score a bunch, Beard likes to slow the game down and play smothering defense.

The culture shift in philosophies may not sit well with Maize & Blue fans. Of course, if Beard wins a bunch like he has everywhere else who really cares how, right?

Home/Michigan Wolverines