My thoughts exactly

Brian at MGoBlog:

The opportunity represented by the Carr retirement is to take the program in a different direction. Michigan has stagnated, allowing Ohio State to pass it both off the field and on. Ohio State has better facilities, has won six of seven against Michigan, and has fewer disciplinary problems. The Horror was supposed to be a wakeup call inside the department and amongst the heavy movers; Ferentz represents the snooze button, especially if his hiring is contingent upon retaining certain key assistants who have done nothing to suggest they are capable of coaching out of a wet paper bag.

As an insanely expensive backup plan, Ferentz is fine. The program is unlikely to fall apart under his watch. At Michigan he'll have the talent and depth to beat Western; he won't put up with Michigan's stone age strength and conditioning program, and he's likely to have a level of success comparable to Carr over the long haul. And that's not bad.

As a primary option, Ferentz is indicative of a diseased thought process that hasn't watched the past three years. Lloyd Carr was a very good coach, but the emphasis is on was. It's over. "Eff you, try to stop us, oops you did let's punt" is over. Ohio State has raised. Picking Ferentz is, essentially, folding.

Yes.  I was not a big fan of Miles for a variety of largely hard to express reasons.  I would prefer a hire that shakes things up; that says "Wow, things won't be the same at Michigan anymore."  Kirk Ferentz is not that kind of hire.

I'd like to see Chris Petersen, or Brian Kelly.  I would love to see a more creative offense.  Sure, a tough defense would be great too, but give the talent offense should be easier to take from occasionally impressive to scary.