The Alabama head coach, originally from the Midwest, got his start with an incredible decade-long run at Romulus High School. By far the biggest name Michigan could target, Wisconsin raised Nate Oats, which comes with a big buyout and some questions. Would Michigan swing for the fences and would Oats be receptive to a move back to Southeastern Michigan?

Someone will likely hire Colorado State head coach Niko Medved this offseason, why not Michigan? Another coach, originally from the Midwest, the Minnesota native, has made a name for himself coaching the Rams. Medved should have his team back in the tournament after a disappointing 2022-23 season.

Another Wisconsin native, Iowa State head coach T.J. Otzelberger. After getting South Dakota State to two straight NCAA Tournaments, Otzelberger took over at UNLV. After just two seasons, Otzelberger returned to take over Iowa State in 2021, a program he spent 11 years with as an assistant. He won 22 games in his first season. Iowa State was one year removed from going 2-22. Otzelberger has the Cyclones on the verge of being a 3 or 4 seed in this year's tournament.

Midwest again, this time from Illinois, former Indiana student manager and current Florida Atlantic coach Dusty May. A Final Four run last season introduced May to the college basketball world. May's first assistant job was at Eastern Michigan in 2005. FAU is 24-7 and likely headed to the tournament again this season. May will be a coveted name for this coaching cycle, with Ohio State, Louisville, and potentially Indiana all interested.

If Michigan wants to return to the program culture that existed before Juwan Howard, who better to turn to than the man who built it, former Michigan coach John Beilein? Beilein left Michigan in 2019 after two Big Ten Championships, two Big Ten Tournament Championships, and two Final Fours that ended with Michigan as National runners-up. Beilein is 71 years old and has not coached during the NIL and transfer portal era. A reunion is worth considering, even if it's just a short-term solution or a bridge to the next era.

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