The Los Angeles Chargers and Jim Harbaugh “are within striking distance” of reaching an agreement for Harbaugh to return to the NFL from Michigan football.
Considering the previous two offseasons, this is hardly shocking. When it comes to Michigan football, apart from creating a dynasty, Harbaugh has accomplished everything he set out to do in winning the national championship and a Super Bowl.
Still, Jim Harbaugh has won three straight Big Ten titles and beaten Ohio State three consecutive times. It makes sense to move on now. But what will Michigan football do next? Sherrone Moore seems like the next head coach, but we break down a few potential options.
Brian Kelly
Someone keeps mentioning Brian Kelly as a possible replacement for Jim Harbaugh, but it’s probably Kelly’s agent. Just look at what rumored interest in the Alabama job did for guys like Mike Norvell. LSU fans probably wouldn’t mind if Kelly went back up North, but I see zero chance of that happening. Despite his name getting mentioned in connection with Michigan football, the Wolverines don’t seem to have any interest in the former Notre Dame head coach.
Lance Leipold
This is probably the only outside candidate worth considering for Michigan football. He’s done a spectacular job at Kansas. He’s also won everywhere he’s gone, sort of like Kalen DeBoer. Leipold was thought to be a good fit for the Nebraska job but stayed at Kansas. I’m sure the Michigan job would tempt him, but I don’t know if the Wolverines will hire outside the building
That leads us back to Sherrone Moore, the offensive coordinator for Michigan football. He did a great job for Jim Harbaugh as the interim coach last season and was the head coach for top-10 wins over Penn State and Ohio State. Moore is also a stellar recruiter and by keeping him, the Wolverines would maintain continuity. You’d think that Moore would be able to keep most of the staff intact, as well as preventing players from entering the transfer portal.
There will be some departures, but Moore can build on the culture and it’s clear he’ll be a head coach very soon, somewhere. Why not Michigan? It just makes too much sense, especially after seeing the mass exodus of players from Washington and Alabama in recent weeks.
