5 head coaches Michigan should call if Jim Harbaugh bolts for NFL

Dave Aranda

Of all the college football head coaches possibly available to move up to a bigger job, there might not be a hotter name than Dave Aranda, who just led Baylor to a 12-2 season, which included a Big 12 championship and a victory in the Sugar Bowl.

For the Bears, it was a banner year. And because of it, Aranda has gotten plenty of attention. Yet, he didn’t seem interested in moving to LSU or any of the other major openings this offseason, so he’s probably not looking to leave.

At the same time though, Michigan football could offer a different opportunity and he could be the clear No. 1 candidate. Even if Aranda wanted to go to LSU, the Tigers would have taken Brian Kelly over him anyways, so we don’t know how open he would be to leaving.

And this is at least a call Michigan has to make. Aranda was formerly the DC at Wisconsin, so he knows the Big Ten, and even though he has no ties to the school, you’ll notice that’s a theme on this list.

I don’t care about it being a Michigan man. I just want a winner and Aranda fits that mold. He’s won big at Baylor — imagine what he could do in Ann Arbor?