Bruce Feldman names four candidates to replace Jim Harbaugh as Michigan head coach

The Athletic’s Bruce Feldman has an idea of where Michigan would go to replace Jim Harbaugh if he returns to the NFL this coaching cycle.

Harbaugh is set to interview with the Los Angeles Chargers and could be out of Ann Arbor after nine seasons. So, where do the Wolverines turn if that’s the case?

Let’s dive into Feldman’s four candidates to replace Harbaugh, should the head coach leave for the NFL.

Sherrone Moore, Michigan OC

Feldman’s take: “Moore has emerged as a strong candidate, especially after the last month of the regular season. The 37-year-old is still young, but he proved more than capable of the job when he stepped in.”

Moore would be the most logical candidate to replace Harbaugh, if it comes to that. The offensive coordinator filled in and went 5-0 whenever Harbaugh was out of it due to suspension. Moore is well respected and loved by the players. His coaching chops are there to lead the Wolverines.

Lance Leipold, Kansas HC

Feldman’s take: “The 59-year-old has Midwestern roots, having grown up in Wisconsin. He knows how to build a culture, play physical football and do much more with less. Kansas hadn’t won more than three games in a season in 11 years before Leipold arrived.”

Leipold already pulled himself out of the Washington head coaching search when his name was floated. He wanted to stay in Kansas and said as much. As Feldman pointed out, he’s been a miracle worker with the Jayhawks and it’s a great situation. But could he finally be tempted?

Chris Klieman, Kansas State HC

Feldman’s take: “Klieman has a good situation at K-State under athletic director Gene Taylor, with whom he worked previously, but the chance to jump to a better-resourced, blue-blood program in the Big Ten might be very tempting.”

This guy might be more tempted to jump out of the Sunflower State. Klieman has been great with the Wildcats but the Big Ten resources of Michigan are tantalizing. Plus, he’d be a logical person to lead that type of blue blood program. He’ll be in the running for big jobs if he keeps it up.

Brian Kelly, LSU HC

Feldman’s take: “Kelly, 62, is a really good coach, but the bar in Baton Rouge is incredibly high. The last three coaches there all won national titles. Making it to a 12-team College Football Playoff but not winning a title won’t cut it … I’ve heard lots of chatter that if he could get in on Michigan, he’d probably go for it.”

This is the big one! Could Kelly really leave LSU after just two years and bolt from the SEC to the Big Ten? It seems like Feldman thinks so based on what he’s hearing.

Kelly’s been successful at LSU but national title-successful. The Tigers fell short of an SEC title in 2022 and missed out this year. But he at least coached a Heisman Trophy winner. Kelly would work with a different set of endless resources and perhaps a little less pressure in Ann Arbor.

So with Harbaugh doing the same song and dance with the NFL, Michigan has to be prepared once again. It seems like it’s real this time and there are some big time candidates that could be had.