NOTEBOOK: John Beilein doesn't have timetable for assistant coach hire; Eso Akunne back to walk-on

“Change is everywhere,” Beilein said Monday before the Michigan basketball banquet. “I can’t say there’s anything specific. Change is part of our program and we’re going through that right now.

“I’m the head coach at Michigan and I have to make changes, let’s say make decisions as I see based on what I think is best for the University of Michigan.”

The Wolverines announced Friday that Dunn and Mahoney left to pursue head-coaching opportunities.

Beilein had already promoted administrative specialist Jeff Meyer into a full-time assistant’s role, which leaves one assistant job and an administrative assistant job still open.

He wouldn’t, though, divulge what he is looking for in either position other than to say he wants to do it “as quickly as I can.”

“I would not like to go into that,” Beilein said. “I don’t want to pigeonhole myself into one area because I haven’t made a decision yet.”

Scholarship issues

Beilein indicated he has three scholarships still available this year with the official departure of center Ben Cronin, who will remain with the team and help during practice but won’t play again.

Michigan expects Jon Horford, a forward from Grand Ledge, to sign in the late period and is also waiting for the decision of swingman Trey Zeigler, who is deciding between Michigan, Central Michigan and UCLA among others.

“It all depends on how it lines up right now,” Beilein said. “We’d like to sign at least one more but if we don’t find that right guy, depending on who that person is, now, it dictates some other things. But I could see us signing a couple more.”

Akunne back to walk-on

Freshman guard Eso Akunne, from Ann Arbor, will be back to walk-on status after being on scholarship his freshman year.

Akunne missed the second semester due to academic ineligibility but he was allowed to practice with the team. While he did, Beilein saw progress from the freshman.

“He’s doing well,” Beilein said.

This and that

Beilein doesn’t anticipate Kelvin Grady to return to the team saying, “it’s hard to even forecast that because I’m hoping they are in a bowl game.” … Beilein said Crisler Arena will “actively pursue” hosting the MHSAA state finals in future years after the building of the Player Development Center. … Guard Josh Bartelstein is rehabbing from surgery to repair a bone spur in his foot. … Forward Jordan Morgan, who redshirted this past season, continues to rehab surgery on his left shoulder while also letting his knee heal.

Michael Rothstein covers University of Michigan basketball for AnnArbor.com. He can be reached at (734) 623-2558, by e-mail at michaelrothstein@annarbor.com or follow along on Twitter @mikerothstein.