To add onto the purge of players leaving the Michigan basketball program, the coaching staff has joined it as UM will be losing LaVall Jordan to Milwaukee for the upcoming year.
Jordan, who was the highest paid assistant for Michigan, was offered a head coaching position at Milwaukee and decided to bolt. This is a good opportunity for Jordan as he tries to further his career, but leaves John Beilein with the task of replacing a coach who was with him for six seasons, with 5 NCAA appearances, the National Championship appearance, the elite eight run, and was one of his best recruiters.
John Beilein and Co. have already hit the trail looking for a new assistant. There was a list tweeted out by Mark Snyder of the Detroit Free Press. The list named Patrick Beilein, CJ Lee, Darris Nichols, amoung others:
Potential candidates for U-M: Patrick Beilein, Darris Nichols, CJ Lee, Cornell Mann, Chris Hunter, Saddi Washington, Jeff Smith
— Mark Snyder (@Mark__Snyder) April 7, 2016
But could the spot already be filled? According to Branden Hunter of Rivals, Michigan may have gotten their guy already.
A source tells me Jermaine Jackson Sr., is headed to Michigan to become an assistant coach there. Was previously at Detroit-Mercy.
— Branden Hunter (@JustCallmeBHunt) April 7, 2016
Jermaine Jackson Sr. was an assistant coach at Detroit Mercy last year and would be an extremely nice fit for the Wolverines, if Hunter’s sources are correct. Coming from Detroit, playing college ball (UofD), professional (Pistons) and having coached (UofD) all in the city, he could be a really nice fit for a program looking to tighten up their inner city roots.
As of right now, this is just a rumor, the program has not released anything or made anything public and other people in the know have not heard that same thing. But, if this is the actual hire, it is a very intriguing. Jackson is only 39 and could really help on the recruiting trail (not that Beilein needs much help). It is going to be interesting to see what he could bring to the program, if he is hired, even with the controversial issues he’s had in his past.
Unfortunately, this may not be the only coach leaving Ann Arbor as Bacari Alexander has been continuously linked to the opening at University of Detroit Mercy, a school he has close ties to as he was an assistant coach from 2001-2007. Bacari would be another hard assistant to replace, due to the fact that he has been with Michigan for the exact same time as Jordan and has been a key component to their recent success.
The list to replace Bacari will most likely mirror the list that is out there for Jordan. The favorites to me would be Patrick Beilein, CJ Lee and Darris Nichols. All three are extremely familiar with Beilein, his system and could fit very well into the Michigan program. Hopefully though, Bacari stays in Ann Arbor but only time will tell if that is the case.
Do you guys think Jordan is the only coach leaving Ann Arbor? Is Jermaine Jackson a good (possible) replacement for Jordan? Who do you think Beilein should bring on if Jackson isn’t the guy and/or Bacari leaves? Let us know in the comment section below!
Photo Credit: sportingnews.com
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