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) /

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(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

Luke Yaklich or Saddi Washington

Continuity and stability. The timing of Beilein leaving may not leave the Wolverines with any other choice here.

Yaklich was Beilein’s main recruiter and helped land players such as Mo Wagner, Iggy Brazdeikis, Jordan Poole, and Zavier Simpson. All four players will probably play in the NBA at some point. Wagner is already with the Lakers and Brazdeikis is in this year’s draft.

Neither assistant has been at Michigan for incredibly long, so they may not have the tenure that the Wolverines are looking for.

Washington coached high school basketball in Michigan under Nate Oats for a short bit, so the experience in Michigan is there. Between Washington and Yaklich, there is over 35 years of Division I assistant coaching experience.

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Yaklich or Washington would also be the best bet if the Maize & Blue hope to keep this current crop of players together, or what’s left of it anyway. Promoting from within is the best way to ensure long-term success when the head coach unexpectedly leaves.

Sometimes, the hire from within is a panic move, but this time, it may just be the perfect fit.

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