Leaders and Best

With Lloyd Carr's recent retirement, the nation's premier job is now open. Who might fill the head coaching vacancy at Michigan? Let's take a look:

1) Brady Hoke
One of many Carr assistants to flourish as a college head coach, Coach Hoke has taken Muncie by storm. Not only that, but remember this guy trained beneath one of the preeminent defensive minds of our time, Coach Jim Herrmann. Reliable sources indicate that Hoke's wife has already purchased a home in Ann Arbor. This one's all but a done deal, folks; expect an announcement shortly after Ball State's impending bowl game.

2) Ron Zook
I'll say this: if things fall through with Brady Hoke, Bill Martin would be wise to strike while the iron's hot with Coach Zook. Florida State, Nebraska, and Tennessee are all rumored to be hot and bothered by this guy's coaching acumen (or perhaps by his long, wavy hair and rugged masculinity? Ron is the Jack Palance of college coaches). Coach Zook went 8-5, 8-5, 7-5 at Florida, and then just pulled off a remarkable 9-3 campaign at Illinois. He'd be a perfect fit at Michigan!

3) Mike DeBord
If the Wolverines care to promote from within, look no further than "DeBo." After a successful four-year stint as head coach at Central Michigan, Coach DeBord returned to Ann Arbor and led one of the nation's most high-powered offensive attacks in 2007. Known for his innovative schemes and risk-reward playcalling, insiders call DeBord "the white Norm Chow."