Monitoring a potential athletic director candidate with Michigan ties

A nationwide search will be conducted for Michigan's next leader of its athletic department. Many should be eagerly lining up to apply for the job because it is a top-five job on the market. It practically has an unlimited budget to spend on and can attract the most coveted talent on the planet, with no argument whatsoever. What's not to love about it?

Michigan should monitor Oregon athletic director Rob Mullens for the position

Former Michigan athletes have been connected to the opening, but there's a current Big Ten athletic director who has ties to Michigan through its baseball program. Oregon's Rob Mullens is the father of Cooper Mullens, who plays for the Wolverines. By being in the same household, there is bound to be chatter about jumping ship from Eugene to Ann Arbor with the latest breaking news out there.

Rob has been at Oregon since 2010 and has hired some of the most ascending coaches in the industry. There are not many institutions in the country that can brag about their resume the way that Oregon can in both football and basketball, specifically. Under Mullens direction, the Ducks have accumulated 18 NCAA championships.

Working with Phil Knight would be an easy transition to Michigan and its donors. Manuel is leaving the cupboard full of its two recent national championships. All Mullens would have to do is not screw it up and run a scandal-free ship to silence the agitators.

Until a decision is made on who the next athletic director is, Michigan must return to a squeaky, clean image. Although that is going to be hard to do anywhere these days with social media and more involvement. Fortunately, with a guy like Kyle Whittingham at the forefront of the sports platform at Michigan, they already have a spokesperson who has a history of strong work habits to captain the vessel.

Today's best reads

• Michigan is at a crossroads and Warde Manuel's term has reached its expiration date
• Warde Manuel needs a lesson on the highs and lows of being an athletic director
• Dave Portnoy offers defense for Warde Manuel, calls NCAA 'criminal organization'
• Warde Manuel is stepping down as Michigan AD, but the next steps are even more important
• New Warde Manuel drama has Michigan fans losing their minds online

This article was originally published on gbmwolverine.com as Monitoring a potential athletic director candidate with Michigan ties.