Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer: He has stated that he's happy at Alabama, following some half-baked buzz about Penn State as a potential destination. DeBoer was never going to Happy Valley, but Ann Arbor? He might have to think about it, especially if Alabama makes an early exit in the CFP. DeBoer, 51, likely would have been a top candidate for Michigan if Harbaugh had left a bit earlier. He landed his first FBS coaching job minutes from Michigan Stadium at Eastern Michigan, where he served as offensive coordinator from 2014 to 2016. DeBoer also has Big Ten experience as Indiana's OC in 2019. He's 56-16 as an FBS coach at Fresno State, Washington and Alabama, with two CFP appearances and a national runner-up finish (to Michigan) in 2023. If Michigan can land DeBoer, it should shut down its search.
Los Angeles Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter: There are two challenges with Minter's candidacy, but he still might be worth considering, especially under less-than-ideal circumstances. Minter received a one-year show-cause for recruiting violations while on Harbaugh's staff at Michigan. He also worked closely with Connor Stalions, the ex-Michigan staff at the center of the signal-sealing scandal. Minter, 42, also projects as a strong candidate for NFL head-coaching openings after his strong performance alongside Harbaugh with the Chargers. He spent 2022 and 2023 as Michigan's defensive coordinator, and in 2022 was a finalist for the Broyles Award, which goes to the nation's top assistant. The son of college coach Rick Minter, Jesse has never been a head coach but would bring extensive assistant experience from both college and the NFL.
Jesse Minter, previously a member of Jim Harbaugh's staff at Michigan, has the Chargers playing top-shelf defense. Photo by Jevone Moore/Icon Sportswire
Washington coach Jedd Fisch: He's been just about everywhere in his coaching career, including Michigan, where he coached quarterbacks and wide receivers under Harbaugh in 2015 and 2016. Fisch, 49, has a distinct mix of college and NFL experience, and has had success as a head coach with both Arizona and Washington. He elevated Arizona to 10 wins and an AP No. 11 finish in 2023, and has led Washington to consecutive bowl appearances. Fisch is a gifted playcaller and has an incredibly large network of coaches, allowing him to compile a strong staff at Michigan in the wake of Moore's ouster.
Duke coach Manny Diaz: He oversees the reigning ACC champions and has a solid overall record (38-24) at two Power 4 programs. Diaz, 51, is extremely sharp and likely would connect well with Michigan's fans and key constituents. He also has some Big Ten experience after serving as Penn State's defensive coordinator in 2022 and 2023, when the Lions ranked No. 6 nationally against the run during the span. Diaz has coached extensively in the South -- Miami, Texas, Mississippi State, Louisiana Tech -- and likely could enhance Michigan's recruiting in those areas as well as the Midwest.
Cleveland Browns offensive coordinator Tommy Rees: He's only 33 so there would be some risk involved, but Rees has positioned himself for head-coaching opportunities in the near future. He was a top candidate at North Carolina last year and has been on the radar at UCLA and elsewhere. Things obviously haven't gone great with the Browns the past two seasons, but the issues in Cleveland go deeper than Rees. A former Notre Dame quarterback under Brian Kelly, Rees began his coaching career in the Big Ten as a graduate assistant at Northwestern, and held coordinator roles with both Notre Dame and Alabama before entering the NFL. He might be a bit of a stretch for Michigan, but an interview would make sense, especially given the timing of this search. --
Rittenberg