Slices of Tuna: Why do winning coaches keep leaving Michigan?
The Wolverines have an odd history when it comes to successful coaches. That doesn't mean the future isn't bright, though.
Happy Wednesday.
Anyone else think Aday Mara to OKC may end up being the most impactful draft move for next season?
1. Michigan madness
You know what’s crazy? Michigan has won two national titles apiece in football and men’s basketball since 1989 — and three of the four head coaches who started those seasons weren’t there the following season.
Of course, Bill Frieder left the Wolverines for Arizona State ahead of the 1989 NCAA Tournament, leading to Steve Fisher coaching the team to the national title. Jim Harbaugh (2023-24) and Dusty May (2025-26) both left for the pros shortly after leading their teams to championships.
Lloyd Carr is the outlier, having stuck around for 11 more seasons after coaching the football team to the 1997 title.
Drama always seems to find that place, doesn’t it?
2. One-year deal?
Normally, the Trail Blazers making a coaching hire wouldn’t get the attention of the rest of the sports world.
But you can be assured that agents and coaches from other sports certainly took note of Portland hiring Micah Nori on a reported one-year guaranteed deal, with team options for Years 2 and 3.
Unheard of?
Not quite.
Back to Michigan.
Fisher took over for Frieder in ’89, then immediately won all six NCAA Tournament games to capture the crown.
Then he interviewed for the full-tine job. Remember, he was the interim during the tournament.
