Dark Horse SEC Coaches Emerge As Surprising Contenders For Michigan Job

The Michigan Head Coach position remains open, and it might just be the most attractive job in the entire country. Between the program's championship legacy (12 National Championships), massive salary pool, elite talent access (Top recruit in the nation in 2024), most wins in college football history, home of the greatest NFL player ever, top NIL access, and perpetual national relevance, the role is nearly impossible to beat.

Sure, someone might say "Alabama is obviously the top job in the country", and sure, if you're Nick Saban. But current coach, Kalen DeBoer, continues to flirt with Michigan. Even if he says he's not interested, oddsmakers and experts don't believe him. They keep ranking him as a top candidate.

This unique combination of factors helps explain why DeBoer is currently in the running to possibility leave Alabama to take over in Ann Arbor. DeBoer has been a hot name throughout the process, and holds better odds than many other candidates, but he is not the only SEC coach eyeing the opportunity in the Big Ten.

The betting markets have remained volatile as experts try to pinpoint exactly who will lead the Wolverines next season...but there are some surprising names lingering on the board.

Could A Dark Horse Candidate Emerge From The SEC?

While DeBoer garners the headlines, oddsmakers suggest two other SEC coaches are quietly in play for the Michigan vacancy. Since they have lower odds, its fair to call them 'dark horses' to get the job.

Missouri head coach Eliah Drinkwitz has been climbing the boards with the oddsmakers. The idea is that Drinkwitz has been able to do a lot, with less. He's taken Mizzou to 29 wins in the last three years...in the SEC. But with a roster that's not exactly full of the top SEC talent. So if he can do that with Missouri tools, what could he do at Michigan with their program's access and funding?

Vanderbilt's Clark Lea has also appeared on betting boards as potential candidate for the position. Lea is in the same boat as Drinkwitz, he's been winning a lot, in the SEC, with a program that's not a traditional SEC powerhouse. Not to mention Vanderbilt's academic requirements...they're one of the few major football programs with harder academic requirements than Michigan. Which means Lea knows how to coach, with real student-athletes.

Both coaches have demonstrated the ability to build programs in difficult environments, making them intriguing options for a school looking to maintain dominance.

These two are considered "dark horse" candidates, with longer odds than the top tier. But their presence in the conversation is significant. Drinkwitz has elevated Missouri into a legitimate playoff contender, while Clark Lea has revitalized Vanderbilt into a tough out in the SEC.

Is Kenny Dillingham The New Favorite?

The leader in the clubhouse keeps changing as money pours in on different candidates, but right now experts are putting their cash on Arizona State's Kenny Dillingham. He is currently considered the favorite to land the job, according to multiple betting platforms. His offensive mind and energy fit the profile of what modern programs are looking for in a Head Coach.

There is a major hurdle to clearing Dillingham from the desert...since he has deep ties to the area. He grew up in Arizona, graduated from Arizona State, and was a lifelong fan of the Sun Devils before taking over the program. Pulling him away from his alma mater might be the hardest challenge Michigan faces in this search.