CLEV ELAND, Ohio — The Michigan coaching search has dominated college football headlines this week, creating both uncertainty and opportunity for the defending national champions.

Despite the chaotic nature of the situation, college football analyst Josh Pate makes a compelling case that Michigan will ultimately emerge with a significant upgrade at head coach.

“I think they’re going to end up so much better for this. They’re not in a great place right now, but I mean once the fog clears, like Michigan will have clearly upgraded at their head coaching position,” Pate claims on the latest episode of his podcast, setting an optimistic tone despite the current turmoil.

One of the most significant developments has been Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer’s definitive statement removing himself from consideration.

“I don’t think Kalen DeBoer is going anywhere. Feel pretty good about our sourcing on that,” Pate said. “You guys are free to believe whatever you want, but I do believe that he’ll be at Alabama this Friday and well beyond this Friday, no matter what the outcome of that game is. I hope I’ve been pretty clear there.”

With DeBoer firmly committed to Alabama, the podcast makes an impassioned case for Arizona State’s Kenny Dillingham as the ideal candidate to revitalize Michigan’s program.

“I think Kenny Dillingham is a wonderful candidate for Michigan. That would be the guy that I would pursue,” Pate said. “I look at that guy and I see what he’s done in terms of quarterback development. I see what he’s done in terms of lighting a fan base on fire. I love the energy. I love the passion. I love how much his guys will go over a cliff for him.”

What makes this endorsement particularly compelling is the podcast’s vivid metaphor about Michigan’s untapped potential and why someone with Dillingham’s energy could be transformational.

“Michigan is like an oil field. I’ve been watching Land Man lately. It’s like an oil field that really hasn’t been drilled properly,” Pate said. “When you do, money is flying all over the place. It’s there. It’s there. I’ve got it on good word. A little birdie has flown in my ear recently and told me, you know, maybe since the Sherrone Moore firing, there’s a little bit of an uptick even in NIL contribution.”

This assessment suggests Michigan’s NIL and donor resources remain largely untapped, creating an opportunity for an energetic, passionate coach like Dillingham to unlock unprecedented support.

Pate notes that despite Michigan’s recent national championship, no one has “really drilled deep at Michigan yet” when it comes to maximizing resources in college football’s new era.

The podcast also addresses the complexity of the search process, noting it’s moving “way differently than the Penn State search” with Michigan employing “search firm stages” that will lead to a search committee.

This methodical approach suggests Michigan is prioritizing making the right hire rather than the fastest hire.

Other candidates mentioned include Lincoln Riley, Eli Drinkwitz and Jedd Fisch, though the podcast clearly positions Dillingham as the transformational choice who could best capitalize on Michigan’s dormant potential.

Interestingly, the podcast draws a distinction between Dillingham and DeBoer’s public statements about being happy at their current jobs: “I don’t think those were the same thing,” hinting that while DeBoer is genuinely staying put, Dillingham might still be in play despite expressing love for Arizona State.

For Michigan fans enduring a turbulent week, the podcast’s perspective offers a compelling reason for optimism.

Despite the messy nature of the coaching change, Michigan appears poised to emerge with a dynamic leader who could elevate the program to even greater heights.

Literacy is on the decline in Michigan, and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer says she wants to stop it in its tracks.

The governor shared during this year’s Michigan Literacy Summit that one in three students in Michigan tests below average.

Michigan used to rank higher, but nowit is 44th in the nation when it comes to reading at grade level. Whitmer says it’s due to multiple things, from decades of disinvestment in education to the pandemic.

“Literacy is directly correlated to higher incomes, greater productivity more innovation,” Whitmer said at the summit.

For the rest of her term as governor, Whitmer says literacy will be her top priority.

“A literate population is more civically engaged, more empowered, more equal,” said Whitmer.

In a room filled with educators from across Michigan, the governor didn’t place blame for the problem, but encouragement and next steps to improve literacy, such as proper resources and training.

“They’re taught by skilled, qualified educators who are getting more and more of every year with scholarships, retention and recruitment programs,” said Whitmer.

Educators say support, such as funding, has helped them be better educators to their students. Teachers say helping them pay for expensive training has allowed them to reach their students in a new way.

“All of these things accelerated my knowledge and just gave me hope for Michigan’s direction,” said educator David Pelc

However, Whitmer recognized it’s not just the knowledge they are teaching, it’s the ability to connect with the young minds, especially in a world that is ever changing.

“They are growing up against rapidly changing technology, rising mental health challenges, increasing political division, they see violence playing out, and its a uncertain economic environment,” said Whitmer.

From the state Capital, the governor emphasized the bills she has passed that help lead to improving literacy, such as free pre-K and school lunches.

 Whitmer says she plans to offer advice to future budgets and leaders to continue to improve literacy in Michigan.

There is no change at the top in the USA TODAY Sports men’s college basketball coaches poll this week, but the margin for the No. 1 team is much closer.

Michigan is still first, receiving 16 of 31 No.-1 votes while keeping its record clean for another week. But No. 2 Arizona has closed within four poll points of the Wolverines with 14 first-place votes after the Wildcats blew away Alabama to rack up yet another ranked win on the road over the weekend. Duke holds at No. 3 overall, claiming the remaining first-place nod, and Iowa State and Connecticut continue to round out the top five.

TOP 25: Complete USA TODAY Sports men’s basketball poll

In fact, the first 11 positions in the poll are the same. Purdue, Gonzaga, Houston, Michigan State and Brigham Young comprise the lower half of the top 10, with Louisville retaining the 11^th spot.

Vanderbilt climbs two spots to No. 12 as Alabama slides four places to 16th. Nebraska makes the week’s biggest jump, a gain of seven positions to No. 15 after the unbeaten Cornhuskers defeated Illinois on the road.

No new teams enter the Top 25, as Iowa hangs on to the final spot after a loss to Iowa State.