Michigan coaching candidates: Joel Klatt believes one of these six will be hired by Wolverines

Michigan Wolverines football is searching for a replacement for Sherrone Moore as the program’s 22nd head coach. Moore was fired for cause after an investigation uncovered an inappropriate relationship with a staff member. FOX analyst Joel Klatt weighed in with his thoughts on potential candidates for the job on his latest episode of the ‘Joel Klatt Show.’

Klatt began by listing coaches that Michigan should call and make them say ‘no.’ Those are Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman, Oregon head coach Dan Lanning and Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti.

The analyst continued with more realistic options, and said, “I believe one of these names that I’m going to tell you right now will be the next head coach at Michigan. That’s just what I believe.”

Here’s who Klatt could call if he was Michigan’s athletic director:

Vanderbilt head coach Clark Lea

“I think his toughness, his history at Notre Dame as a defensive coordinator, so it’s not that he’s just a dyed in the wool SEC guy, right?” Klatt said. “I understand that they’re having success, and maybe he wants to stay at Vanderbilt, but Michigan is Michigan, alright? It’s better than Vanderbilt. If Lane Kiffin can leave Ole Miss to go to LSU, you can certainly leave Vanderbilt to go to Michigan. The resources at Michigan are great. Clark Lea has been an excellent coach at Vanderbilt, and you would absolutely call him.”

Texas A&M head coach Mike Elko

“I know this man just signed an extension, but I would call Mike Elko,” Klatt said “Mike Elko seems to really understand the way to build the program the right way.

“A&M has not had a ton of success in their history. A&M fans get all mad at me when I say this, but it is true: A&M has been a bit above .500 for most of their time. They’ve been kind of a middle of the pack conference team, whether it was in the Big 12 or the SEC, outside of a couple years where they would jump up.

“There are these spurts with Texas A&M, but he seems to have built something that is going to last longer than just a one-year or two-year thing. So, Mike Elko would get a call.”

Arizona State head coach Kenny Dillingham

“Kenny Dillingham at Arizona State — he’s about the right things,” Klatt said. “He’s seen it up close and personal. He’s coached at Oregon. Now, he’s done it as a head coach. He went and won a championship at Arizona State, and really succeeded in the playoffs. That’s something right there. Kenny Dillingham, I know he’s said he would never leave.”

Los Angeles Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter

“Jesse Minter, former Michigan defensive coordinator and the defensive coordinator with the Chargers,” Klatt said. “I think Jesse Minter would get a call. Now, Jesse is very happy in the NFL, but you make the call, absolutely, because he’s a wonderful coach and he will be a head coach at some level, probably pretty soon.”

Indiana defensive coordinator Bryant Haines

“Bryant Haines, the defensive coordinator at Indiana,” Klatt listed. “Did you see what he did last Saturday night? Because it was masterful, and he has been with Curt Cignetti — winning, winning and winning. Just Google him. For a lot of years. And he’s seen it, up close and personal, what it takes, what the process is. He is a wonderful coach, and will be a very good head coach when and if that opportunity arises.”

Georgia defensive coordinator Glenn Schumann

“I know this guy is very dyed in the wool SEC,” Klatt began. “Why isn’t Glenn Schumann talked about more with head-coaching positions? Do you know that he’s been either a student assistant, graduate assistant, position coach or coordinator for six national championships? He has seen it. He knows what it takes. I would call Glenn Schumann.”