Michigan’s Ellerbe Can Take ‘Interim’ Off His Resume Now

Brian Ellerbe was rewarded Friday with the Michigan coaching job as Athletic Director Tom Goss removed the word “interim” from his title.

“I feel fortunate to have the opportunity and to know that we got the job because we worked for it,” Ellerbe said. “The development of our team and the season puts a lot of emphasis on where we’re going.

“We just need to add to it to make sure that we put Michigan basketball in the place in the country where it’s supposed to be and that’s right at the top.”

Ellerbe guided the Wolverines to a 25-9 record, the Big Ten tournament championship and into the second round of the NCAA tournament, where Michigan lost to UCLA.

Ellerbe was thrust into the head coaching job after Steve Fisher’s abrupt firing just days before practices were scheduled to begin in October.

Ellerbe became the Wolverines’ full-time coach just as abruptly, with the announcement coming only days after Goss received permission from Oklahoma to talk to Coach Kelvin Sampson and from Seton Hall to talk to Tommy Amaker.