College Football Reports: Jim Harbaugh To Pass on Michigan, So, What's Plan B?

Consensus says that Michigan will hire a new football coach sometime this week. It most likely won’t be Jim Harbaugh, since two media sources have reported Tuesday morning that he would join the San Francisco 49ers or remain at Stanford.  Both rivals.com and the Detroit Free Press used unnamed sources in their stories. If these reports pan out, it could jumble the list of possible candidates for the Michigan job.

It was believed that Harbaugh was Michigan’s primary candidate, but one hopes that AD David Brandon’s Plan B is better than the one three years ago which saw Michigan stumble before hiring West Virginia coach Rich Rodriguez.

In any case, Brandon understands that he must move quickly, because there’s real work to be done.   

Michigan must first solidify its 2011 recruiting class, which currently lists only 14 verbal commitments and is without a quarterback.  Running back Dee Hart, who was expected to compete for immediate playing time, has dropped his Michigan commitment in favor of Alabama.

The good news is that 10 defensive players and a kicker are most likely in the fold.  In addition, the new coach will have some time to finish the job before National Signing Day February 2.

Next on the agenda is revamping a defense which deteriorated into the 108th ranked unit nationally. The defense gave up an astounding 35.2 points per game, and allowed 137 points in the final three games against Wisconsin, Ohio State and Mississippi State. 

While It’s only fair to mention that Rodriguez and Robinson were forced to start three freshmen, three sophomores, three juniors and two seniors most of the season, the play on the field spoke for itself.

The only two defensive starters departing are Jonas Mouton and James Rogers.  Look for the defense to be built around Mike Martin, Kenny Demens, Craig Roh and of course Troy Woolfolk.

In the unlikely scenario that allows Rodriguez another year, he most most likely part ways with defensive coordinator Greg Robinson and several other assistants.

Many in the Michigan family have expressed disappointment in both the 335 defensive scheme and the way it was implemented. The defense will most likely consist of variations of the more conventional 3-4 and 4-3 schemes, thus simplifying or eliminating the hybrid concept.

Offensively, we’ll see both the read option and the pro-set. Much depends on whether Denard Robinson decides to stay and if Tate Forcier can get himself eligible.

At 6'5", Devin Gardner could become a prototype pocket passer, but don’t forget the running ability he’s already shown. Hopefully his back problems are also behind him.

There may be some argument here, but there really isn’t any difference between an offensive lineman involved the spread or the pro-set. It all depends on blocking schemes. Linemen who are quick enough to pull and trap are desirable in both systems. The Wolverines already have  three good tight ends on the roster.

Stephen Schilling will be the only O-line starter lost to graduation. All of the backups have had adequate reps so the competition for the final starting slot will be keen.

The Wolverines have a decent stable of running backs  but are thin at fullback with only John McColgan listed at the position. Stephen Hopkins, at 225 lbs. can also play fullback.  Michigan is loaded at wide receiver. 

Will Hagerup has demonstrated that he can become a dependable punter  while incoming recruit Matt Goudis will be given every opportunity to take over the kicking duties.

Someone far away from the Michigan program might wonder how a coach who improved his record every year could be given a pink slip just three years into the job.

But 30 years of Michigan constantly achieving at a high level, and doing it with relatively little drama, didn't help Rodriguez. He probably made too many enemies in the early going when his plan to immediately adapt the spread option left him with no answer at quarterback. 

Add his buy-out problem with West Virginia, his run-in with the NCAA and his horrible record in the Big Ten, pretty well guaranteed him a one-way ticket out of Ann Arbor.