Michigan Football: Losing Maurice Linguist would be a disaster

When Michigan football hired Maurice Linguist as cornerbacks coach and co-defensive coordinator, it was a home run for Jim Harbaugh.

But now, before the 2021 season even starts, and just a few months after his hire, Linguist could be on the way out the door.

Lance Leipold recently left the head coaching job at Buffalo for Kansas. Few would have expected that to impact Michigan football but on Friday, Football Scoop reported that Linguist is among the favorites to get the job.

The timing is awful for Michigan football but it’s hard to blame Linguist for being interested. It’s hard for any coach to pass up on the chance to be a head coach and Buffalo has been winning in recent years under Leipold, so it’s not a total rebuild. Plus, Linguist was an assistant there.

Sam Webb of The Michigan Insider (subscription required) also reported that the interest is legitimate. Minnesota co-defensive coordinator Joe Harasymiak is another candidate mentioned by Football Scoop, which reports a decision could come next week.

Why it would be a gut punch for Michigan

Linguist isn’t just a respected football coach, he’s an outstanding recruiter. He proved that in short order once he arrived on staff at U-M, helping the Wolverines reel in five-star Will Johnson, as well as four-star cornerback Kody Jones.

Both of those recruitments could be in jeopardy if he leaves for Buffalo. Webb reported that Michigan has already reached out to Johnson. That’s a smart move but if Linguist leaves, it’s going to be about bringing in a solid replacement.

Of course, at this point, that’s far easier said than done.

There are some potential in-state candidates, plus the name of Steve Clinskale, a defensive assistant from Kentucky with strong recruiting ties to Ohio, is one that has been mentioned before in connection to past openings and Webb addressed him again in his report.

Linguist spent last season coaching for the Dallas Cowboys and worked at Texas A&M prior to that. He’s a rising star and was also hired with recruiting in mind.

People will somehow blame Harbaugh for this, even though he obviously can’t help that Linguist is in the mix for a head-coaching job. There’s only so much you can do to keep someone when that offer comes along.

Michigan fans are already in a panic over the possible departure, but right now, we just have to wait and see what happens.

However, there’s no sugar-coating the fact that losing Linguist would be a blow, especially because the timing could make finding his replacement difficult.