After the Cleveland Cavaliers announced on Monday that they agreed to name John Beilein as their next head coach, the search to replace the 66-year-old at Michigan officially started.

The decision to hire Beilein shocked the basketball world on Monday as it was a bit surprising considering Beilein has not coached at the NBA level and has had success in 12 seasons at Michigan.

Now, the Michigan men’s basketball program will be forced to work quickly to fill their head coaching vacancy. With a need at the position, Thunder head coach Billy Donovan has emerged as the top choice for the job.

Donovan was considered the top choice for the UCLA job as recently as March but the university instead opted to hire former Cincinnati head coach Mick Cronin.

With the Thunder having now been eliminated in the first round in each of the last three years, rumors have surfaced indicating that Donovan could be on the hot seat.

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Donovan has one year left on his contract and told reporters during his exit interview that he is operating as business as usual following the team’s elimination from the NBA Playoffs.

Thunder general manager Sam Presti said that he anticipated Donovan returning to coach the team next season but added that they would need to take some time to reflect on how the season went.

With the news that Beilein would take the Cavaliers’ job, a list of candidates for Michigan is already emerging. According to Mike DeCourcy of Sporting News, Donovan should be at the top of that list:

He has been insistent about his desire to remain in the NBA, but four years managing Russell Westbrook might make getting back to recruiting seem desirable. He obviously was bothered during his time at Florida by that part of the job, but he would be following someone who made two NCAA championships this decade as Mr. Clean. He knows he can expect the same from his chief rival in the Big Ten. This might be the ideal time to make a move.

While it is unclear if Donovan would accept the position at Michigan, the school will likely still place a call to Donovan to gauge any potential interest from the Thunder head coach.

Donovan appears to be happy with the Thunder but a lucrative offer from Michigan could be enough to pry Donovan away from Oklahoma City and leave the Thunder with a coaching vacancy.

Donovan is 199-129 in four seasons with the Thunder.