Top Candidates to Replace D.J. Durkin as Michigan's Defensive Coordinator

The search is on for a new Michigan defensive coordinator, but head coach Jim Harbaugh should have a tremendous group of candidates from which to choose.

Pete Thamel of Sports Illustrated reported that D.J. Durkin officially accepted an offer to become the head coach at Maryland, and the program later confirmed the news.

While Durkin spent a single season leading the Wolverines, moving up to a head coaching position was the logical progression for his career.

Durkin leaves behind a unit primed to finish in the top five nationally in total defense, so Michigan's next defensive coordinator will enter a job with high expectations. Fortunately for the program, both Harbaugh's coaching tree and success bring a handful of appealing names.

Current Michigan Coaches

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Hiring from within is a possibility, albeit a small one. The most sensible candidate is Greg Mattison—who was the defensive coordinator from 2011-14 before Harbaugh hired Durkin—while defensive backs coach Greg Jackson had an excellent 2015.

Mattison oversaw the defensive line and had the unit playing at an elite level before Ryan Glasgow's injury immensely affected the group. The Wolverines held eight of 12 opponents to fewer than 3.5 yards per carry.

Mattison also has some experience coaching linebackers, which he did for three seasons with the Baltimore Ravens under John Harbaugh and in 2014 at Michigan.

Ideally, Mattison would be content at his current spot so that the Wolverines can stick with him and Jackson as positional leaders. That would give the program the option to bring in someone like Durkin, whose background is with linebackers anyway.

But if Harbaugh wants to promote either Mattison or Jackson, familiarity isn't a bad thing.

The Long Shot: Jeremy Pruitt

Georgia parted ways with head coach Mark Richt, and he probably won't be the only guy on the way out from that staff. Defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt is certain to have suitors all over the country.

The 41-year-old could return to Alabama and take the position Kirby Smart is vacating to replace Richt. Although Tuscaloosa is—and should be—a terrific destination, Josh Newberg of 247Sports reported that Pruitt is also interested in the Michigan job:

Alabama earned two national championships when Pruitt was the defensive backs coach from 2010-12, and Florida State hoisted the trophy with him as the defensive coordinator in 2013.

Granted, the primary negative is Pruitt could be a one-and-done like Durkin. Harbaugh might want someone likelier to stick around for multiple seasons, but the Wolverines ought to at least contact Pruitt.

From the Harbaugh Coaching Tree

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Syracuse players carried Scott Shafer off the field after its final regular-season outing, and he might find a landing spot at Michigan.

When Harbaugh accepted the head coaching gig at Stanford, he tabbed Shafer to become the assistant head coach and defensive coordinator. He bolted for Michigan in 2008, but a schematic difference with then-coach Rich Rodriguez ultimately led to Shafer resigning after one year.

He caught on at Syracuse, where he stayed for seven seasons—head coach for the last three, going 14-23—before recently getting fired. Harbaugh might reach out with more than condolences.

If Shafer isn't offered the job, Michigan might target current Stanford defensive coordinator and standout recruiter Lance Anderson.

The relationship between him and Harbaugh goes back to the University of San Diego, where Anderson was the defensive line coach in 2005 and 2006. Harbaugh brought Anderson to Stanford, and he's stayed there ever since, receiving a promotion to defensive coordinator in 2014.

Jim Leavitt is the most recent Harbaugh assistant, though. The former South Florida head coach and current Colorado defensive coordinator trained the San Francisco 49ers linebackers during Harbaugh's NFL stint.

Most importantly for Michigan, any of the three would be tremendous hires. Shafer is looking for a job, Anderson has an outstanding resume and Leavitt could conceivably jump at an offer to re-join Harbaugh.

All recruiting information via 247Sports. Stats from cfbstats.com or B/R research. Quotes obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Follow Bleacher Report CFB Writer David Kenyon on Twitter @Kenyon19_BR.