After playing a pivotal role in the resurgence of the Michigan football program in the past three seasons—clinching victories against Ohio State, securing three Big Ten titles, and making three appearances in the College Football Playoff—Jim Harbaugh has departed. Despite fears among fans, Harbaugh has made the decision to return to the NFL, where he previously achieved considerable success.
He has announced that he will now be coaching the Los Angeles Chargers. With Michigan’s recent triumph in securing its first national championship of the century, the program now faces the challenge of regrouping.
The search is on for a successor who can sustain Harbaugh’s accomplishments and lead the Wolverines into what promises to be a historic 2024 season, featuring an expanded Big Ten and playoff. The question now is: Who will step up to the task?
Moore possesses several positive qualities, being a youthful 37-year-old with prior coaching experience for the football team, notably serving as the interim coach during Harbaugh’s suspension.
Under Moore’s guidance, Michigan secured notable victories against top-10 ranked Penn State on the road, triumphed over Maryland in a potentially challenging away game, and defeated the Buckeyes at home.
Players hold him in high regard. However, the looming uncertainty arises from the potential NCAA punishment for the program due to the ongoing sign-stealing investigation. If Moore is found to be involved, the university may opt for a fresh face.
If Michigan decides to promote someone from within, Moore seems to be the likely candidate based on the positive impression he made as the interim coach. Choosing Minter could stir controversy, considering Moore’s successful handling of the team during Harbaugh’s suspension. Despite concerns about the sign-stealing allegations, Minter’s excellent management of the defense, which ranked first nationally in total production during its championship run, is noteworthy.
Chris Klieman, at 56, has an impressive track record, winning 19 games at Kansas State in the last two seasons, including a Big 12 Championship upset against a playoff team. He also boasts four FCS national championships at North Dakota State and recently signed an eight-year contract with Kansas State. However, a potential move would incur a $6 million buyout.
Lance Leipold’s remarkable turnaround at Kansas is already legendary, transforming one of the worst programs nationally into a success story. Under his leadership, the Jayhawks progressed from winning two games to six and then nine over three years, finishing in the AP top 25 and securing a significant upset over Oklahoma.
Matt Campbell, a 44-year-old Ohio native, has spent the last eight seasons at Iowa State. Although his recent performance has been mixed, with a standout season in 2020 winning nine games and the Fiesta Bowl, he has only two losing seasons overall.
Campbell has demonstrated the ability to build a program, and there’s speculation about what he could achieve in a more elite setting with greater resources and a fresh start, especially at a school that just clinched a national title
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