The Jim Harbaugh era at the University of Michigan is finally over.
After nine seasons with the Wolverines, culminating in a College Football Playoff championship, Harbaugh will return to the NFL and take over the Chargers' head coaching position.
After weeks of speculation and meetings with pro clubs, Harbaugh has finally decided to leave his alma mater after an impressive performance.
Now, the question is, who will replace Harbaugh at Michigan?
Here's a look at some of the early candidates who could take over Ann Arbor.
Sherone Moore
According to ESPN's Pete Thamel and Dan Wetzel of Yahoo SportsMoore is considered the favorite to take over the position.
Michigan State's offensive coordinator already has experience as a head coach with the Wolverines, leading the team in four games last season.
Moore was a starter in the finals win over Bowling Green after Harbaugh was suspended by the school for the first three games of 2023 due to allegations of recruiting violations.
Moore, who has held various assistant coaching roles at the University of Michigan since 2018, became a regular when the Big Ten suspended Harbaugh for the infamous sign-stealing scandal that led to the resignation of former staff member Connor Stallions. He stepped in as acting head coach for the final three games of the season.
He went 3-0 in that span and helped the University of Michigan finish the regular season undefeated.
Michigan's offense ranked second in the Big Ten in scoring with 35.9 points per game and fifth in total yards per contest (382.7).
He previously coached at the University of Louisville (2009-13), first as a graduate assistant and then as tight ends coach, and at Central Michigan University as tight ends coach and assistant head coach (2014-17). served both.
Lance Leipold
The Athletic's Bruce Feldman reported in December, and Thamel noted Wednesday that Leipold, who had success at the University of Buffalo and the University of Kansas, was on the list.
Leipold led Buffalo to three bowl appearances and then took over a struggling Kansas program.
Leipold has rebuilt the Jayhawks after a two-win season in 2021, most recently leading the team to a 9-4 record and a Guaranteed Rate Bowl victory.
Highlights of this past season included a stunning upset win over Oklahoma, ending an 18-game losing streak against the Sooners.
Leipoldt is 54-54 as a head coach at the Division I level.
brian kelly
The coach already made a high-profile transfer when he transferred from Notre Dame to LSU in 2022.
The Athletic reported If Kelly can get his name on the Wolverines' coaching list, he could make it happen.
Since leaving the Fighting Irish, Kelly has racked up 10-win seasons and recently led the Tigers' offense, leading the NCAA in scoring with 45.5 points and 543.5 yards per game.
However, the defense has been an issue as LSU has allowed the third-most points per game in the SEC (27.8 points).
other name
Thamel said Kansas State head coach Chris Klieman and Wake Forest head coach Dave Clawson are also among those to keep an eye on.
