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.
