Friday was a bad day for Michigan fans hoping to land either Kalen DeBoer or Kenny Dillingham as their next coach. DeBoer, who had long been thought of as the Wolverine's top choice, pulled out the victory against Oklahoma, rallying from 17 points down to extend the Tide's season. Alabama's win ensures them another game in the playoffs, and likely puts Deboer's season beyond the date Michigan was hoping to make a hire.
Meanwhile, Arizona State's Dillingham signed a massive extension, tying him to his alma mater for the next five years. So where does Michigan go now? It seems that there the university is down to two or three options, with Missouri's Drinkwitz as potentially the top choice.
Could Mizzou really lose Drinkwitz after monster extension?
Speaking of extensions, Drinkwitz signed a brand-new six-year deal just a few weeks ago. However, unlike Dillingham, who is already at his dream job, Drinkwitz would be hard-pressed to turn down Michigan's offer.
The Wolverines are reportedly still considering Washington's Jedd Fisch, Louisville's Jeff Brohm, and a few others, but Drinkwitz makes a ton of sense for Michigan. He's done extremely well at Missouri despite the lack of resources compared to the top-end SEC teams, and will play in his fifth-straight bowl game Dec. 27 in the Gator Bowl.
The Tigers already lost their offensive coordinator Kirby Moore to a head coaching job, and losing Drinkwitz at the end of the month would be devastating to a team that is starting to climb in the SEC ranks. He has put Mizzou in a great place, and trying to find a new coach this late in the process, as Michigan has learned, would be problematic. Star running back Ahmad Hardy's return was announced yesterday, but all bets will be off there as well if Drinkwitz is poached.