4 potential replacements if Jim Harbaugh leaves for the NFL

Josh Gattis

We start with the internal candidates and actually, there are a couple of good ones. But Josh Gattis is one that makes sense.

Looking at his resume, Gattis has been Michigan football’s offensive coordinator for three seasons now and before that was co-OC at Alabama under Nick Saban. That’s one good box to check as former Saban assistants have been finding tons of success across the college football landscape.

Hiring Gattis would also allow Michigan to keep its offensive identity. Gattis who has a co-offensive coordinator in Sherrone Moore, would surely love the chance to show what he can do as a head coach and nearly got the chance with Virginia.

Moore and Mike Hart could get promotions and while some assume Mike Macdonald would stay, Harbaugh could easily take him along to be an NFL DC. Vic Fangio could be available too — Harbaugh’s DC in San Francisco, but don’t assume Macdonald will be back if Harbaugh’s not.