If Jim Harbaugh Turns Michigan Down, Where Should Wolverines Go Next?

Everyone’s thinking about what could be if—and ultimately when, depending on whom you ask—Jim Harbaugh decides to leave the San Francisco 49ers for Michigan.

Everyone’s in love with the potential homecoming tale—the one in which the former Wolverines star quarterback finds his way back to Ann Arbor and restores order to a once-proud football program.

But what if he doesn’t?

What if Harbaugh opts to stay in the NFL?

Chicago could be a landing spot. So could Oakland. He’s one of the most sought-after coaches in the game, college or professional, so he’s in charge. He has the power to pick his next destination.

It’s just a matter of when he plans to announce his intentions and publicly commit to a new team.

“Whatever’s next for him, he’ll do great there,” said his brother, John Harbaugh, coach of the Baltimore Ravens, during an interview with Comcast SportsNet Baltimore.

He could turn around the Raiders. He could do wonders for the Bears, too.

But he would instantly resurrect the Wolverines without even wrinkling his khakis.

However, should the worst happen...

More with Les

As the obvious No. 2, and one-time No. 1 prior to former coaches Brady Hoke and Rich Rodriguez, Les Miles makes a lot of sense on several levels.

For starters, he has the attractive, but no longer necessary, Michigan background. He played for Bo, and he probably knows the culture and expectations just as well as Harbaugh.

Miles’ success—a national championship and three SEC West titles since 2007—at LSU has been nothing short of spectacular, although it’s often taken for granted by a difficult-to-please fanbase.

During a recent interview with XM Radio’s Jack Arute, Miles was asked for his input regarding the open position at Michigan, one which has been tied to Harbaugh for months. Harbaugh reportedly received an offer reaching upward of $8 million per year.

Miles offered little more than a “go get ‘em, Michigan” to Arute.

"The only thing I can tell you is I'm so for Michigan," Miles replied (via Mark Snyder of the Detroit Free Press). "They have a process, they're going to go through it. They'll get a great coach. I wish them the very best."

Despite shooting down rumors and publicly removing himself from the speculation, Miles would be an ideal fit for the Wolverines—not just a perfect second option to Harbaugh. Either way, whether with Miles or Harbaugh, Michigan would get its man.

Really, it boils down to interest and likelihood.

Tuesday could be decision day. In fact, Fox Sports Detroit’s Art Regner wouldn’t be shocked if a press conference were called to introduce the next head coach at Michigan—which will probably be Harbaugh, he says.

However, Miles’ Tigers play Notre Dame that day in the Music City Bowl. Should they lose, The Mad Hatter could feel some heat.

He’s already been excused by The Advocate’s Scott Rabalais, who encourages the “underappreciated” coach—one who’s qualified for 10 consecutive bowls (6-3)—to pursue other options.

A loss to the Irish could send him out of Baton Rouge and into the open arms of Ann Arbor—she’d welcome one of Bo’s boys any day, any time.

Miles would be a home run hire for athletic director Jim Hackett. 

Playing the Field

For what it’s worth, Odds Shark lists Miles as the 5-2 favorite, Tennessee’s Butch Jones at 7-2, Oklahoma State’s Mike Gundy at 7-2 and former Rutgers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Greg Schiano at 9-2.

However, there has been a buzz surrounding a few other high-profile college and NFL coaches, with Mississippi State’s Dan Mullen being among the most popular.

In 2009, his first year in Starkville, Mullen coached the Bulldogs to a 5-7 record. The next year, they went 9-4 and won the Gator Bowl. Since then, they’ve won at least seven games and have posted a 3-1 bowl record. This past season, he guided Mississippi State to new heights—No. 1 in the Associated Press poll. Despite losses to Alabama and Ole Miss, the Bulldogs finished as one of the country’s best.

Mullen’s ability to recruit in the dog-eat-dog SEC has been just as impressive as his ability to compete with the big boys in the West division; he’d be one hell of a hire for Hackett, too.

New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton, probably the most unlikely, has been mentioned as a potential suitor for Michigan, and so has Buffalo’s Doug Marrone, according to CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora.

Payton wouldn’t be a consolation prize. He’s a proven winner at the highest of levels, evidenced by his 11- and 13-game win stretch from 2009 to 2013. The Super Bowl XLIV ring helps, too. Things have gotten difficult this season in the Big Easy, so Payton may look around for new digs.

But they probably wouldn’t be in college.

Marrone seems to be just a name—nothing more, nothing less.

Sure, it’s Harbaugh or bust. Hackett and Michigan have made it so—the birthday wishes on Twitter say everything. He's the one, has been the one and will be the one until he says otherwise. But Miles and Mullen would fit; they are the obvious second, third, fourth and fifth choices. 

Payton wouldn't be bad. 

Anyone beyond them isn't worth entertaining. 

"

Michigan is really pushing for Jim Harbaugh to be its next head football coach. pic.twitter.com/QejVtWl91U

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) December 23, 2014"

Follow Bleacher Report’s Michigan Wolverines football writer Adam Biggers on Twitter @AdamBiggers81.