Report: Beilein to leave West Virginia for Michigan

Apr 3, 2007 - 7:15 PM DETROIT (Ticker) -- It appears John Beilein will take on the challenge of trying to restore Michigan to basketball glory.

The Detroit Free Press reported Monday that Beilein will leave West Virginia to take the coaching job at Michigan. Neither school has confirmed the hiring.

Beilein, 54, has spent the last five years at West Virginia, guiding the Mountaineers to the NCAA Tournament regional final in 2005, the regional semifinals in 2006 and the National Invitation Tournament title this season.

Michigan has not reached the NCAA Tournament since 1998 and fired coach Tommy Amaker on March 17. Amaker compiled a 108-83 record in six seasons, winning the NIT in 2004.

However, the Wolverines would like to restore the success they enjoyed in the late 1980s and early 1990s, when players such as Gary Grant, Glen Rice, Chris Webber, Jalen Rose and Juwan Howard starred at the school.

Michigan won the national championship in 1989 and lost in back-to-back title games in 1992 and 1993 under coach Steve Fisher.

Beilein's contract at West Virginia is through the 2011-12 season. But it appears Michigan is willing to buy out the deal.

Beilein has compiled a record of 456-267 with four schools - LeMoyne, Canisius, Richmond and West Virginia.

This season, the Mountaineers did not get an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament despite a 22-9 record, including 9-7 in the Big East Conference.

West Virginia was as a top seed in the NIT, where it won five games, including a 78-73 victory over Clemson in Thursday's title game.

The Wolverines were 22-13 this season but just 8-8 in the Big Ten Conference. They suffered a 21-point drubbing at Florida State in the second round of the NIT.