Every offseason, it feels as if we see news about Jim Harbaugh making a potential return to the NFL.
This time, he's been linked to the Los Angeles Chargers; and the possibility seems very real that he could make the jump, particularly since he's already interviewed for the position. The Chargers even announced that they had interviewed Harbaugh via X.
we?ve completed an interview with Jim Harbaugh for head coach
? https://t.co/1Dza5nXsik pic.twitter.com/xdkMVhlepS
— Los Angeles Chargers (@chargers) January 15, 2024
Now that the mission of winning a national championship for Michigan has finally been accomplished, a litany of players are declaring for the NFL draft — a possible indicator that change is brewing in Ann Arbor.
Replacing a national championship winner is no small task, so Michigan is likely already considering a plan in case Harbaugh does in fact bolt to go coach for the Bolts. Let's take a look at some of the most likely candidates to take over the program if Harbaugh heads off to the NFL.
Sherrone Moore
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Why conduct a nationwide search to find someone who can beat Michigan's biggest rivals when you have someone in the building who's already done it? During Harbaugh's second three-game suspension this season, Sherrone Moore took the helm for the Wolverines and passed the test with flying colors. Under him, the Wolverines dominated Penn State on the road with a profoundly run-heavy approach, the success of which was surely a product of his offensive line background; and he expertly navigated a top 3 matchup with Ohio State to cap off the regular season.
Michigan is a program that is very proud of its community and loves to hire "Michigan Men." This was evident when Harbaugh himself was hired. And the program could look to foster some continuity from its most successful era in decades by promoting his right-hand man. Even if he hadn't coached Michigan through some of its toughest tests this season, Moore would be a candidate for this position just based on his body of work as the team's offensive coordinator. The way things played out, however, his case is even stronger.
Brian Kelly
There have already been rumblings that the LSU coach could be on his way to Ann Arbor if Harbaugh departs. Brian Kelly has plenty of background within the state of Michigan, as he had a great run as the head coach of D-II Grand Valley State, where he strung together a 32-game win streak and earned two national championships. Kelly then jumped to Mid-American Conference school Central Michigan before hopping up to Cincinnati and, of course, Notre Dame before LSU.
Things are looking tough in Baton Rouge, and Kelly might leave before his stock truly plummets. Heisman-winning quarterback Jayden Daniels is on the way out, and the Tigers didn't really compete in this year's Southeastern Conference even with him at the helm. As the conference continues to strengthen with expansion coming up this season, Kelly might be eager to cut his losses and go back north.
Lance Leipold
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By contrast, Lance Leipold's stock is soundly swinging up. He inherited a Kansas team that had just gone 0-9 under Les Miles in the shortened 2020 season, then went 2-10 in his first season but featured a memorable overtime road win over Texas. It then reached a bowl in his second season and even cracked the AP poll for a time, the program's first appearance there since 2009.
This year, Leipold once again navigated injuries to star quarterback Jalon Daniels and got solid play out of Jason Bean, a transfer QB from North Texas. The team finished 9-4 with a bowl win, their first since 2008, and ended up ranked for the first time since '07. He has done an excellent job with a program that appeared to be dead in the water when he arrived, and he could definitely hold things together in Ann Arbor
Jesse Minter
Jesse Minter's stock isn't quite as high as Moore's, for a couple of reasons. One is, of course, the fact that he did not step in as head coach to lead Michigan to tremendous wins this season. The other is that there's a bias toward offensive minds in today's college game. But with an NFL background and a great college track record, Minter could be a great choice as well — and he is viewed by many as a future head coach, whether or not that happens at Michigan.
Minter's defense was phenomenal this season, as it completely clamped down Washington's high-octane offense, limited Alabama's explosive QB Jalen Milroe, and did enough to slow down Ohio State's bevy of weapons. The Wolverines never let an opponent score 25 points in a game, and they allowed an average of just 10.4 points per game in a dominant campaign. If Michigan wants to keep some continuity but for some reason doesn't pick Moore, Minter could do a fantastic job as well.
Deion Sanders
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We have to at least take a look at the most polarizing name in college football, Deion Sanders, known also as Coach Prime. While Colorado's results tapered off down the stretch, the jump the program took is undeniable. After going 1-11 in a fairly weak Pac-12 last year, the Buffaloes went 4-8 in a much-tougher version of the conference, buoyed by some impressive non-conference wins.
Sanders wasn't working with college football's biggest brand or the most impressive array of talent. With Michigan, he'd enjoy a major step up in both regards, giving him even more ability to leverage his favorite tool: the transfer portal. Michigan will need that with its outpouring of talent. While Sanders would be a bit of a "left field" hire, his larger-than-life personality and branding could definitely help Michigan continue to secure the roster it needs to compete in the new Big Ten.
Charles Woodson
We've talked about legendary defensive backs and Michigan Men, so let's hit the one name that fits the bill from both perspectives: Charles Woodson. The 1997 Heisman Trophy winner and national champion hasn't coached before, but his intelligent play style and do-it-all experience make him a solid candidate if the school wants to really tap into some nostalgia.
Woodson would be a great personality to have back on campus, and it's not hard to imagine players — especially defensive backs — being extremely eager to play for him. This option isn't particularly likely, but there are odds listed for him at certain sites, and it would make for a really fun next era for the Wolverines.
