There are now numerous reports that Jim Harbaugh will be leaving the San Francisco 49ers to become the head coach at Michigan. One of his biggest challenges with the Wolverines will be improving an offense that was one of the worst in the country, and he'll need to bring in a good offensive coordinator to do so. Who are the most likely candidates to join Harbaugh in Ann Arbor?
Greg Roman, San Francisco 49ers Offensive Coordinator
Roman was the offensive coordinator at Stanford with Harbaugh before coming to San Francisco, and he’s been nothing but successful at each stop. Harbaugh said that Roman “reminds him of Chip Kelly”, which is extremely high praise. Roman is Harbaugh's first choice, but it's possible he could view going back to being a college coordinator as a demotion from the NFL. Plus, he's a candidate for some head coaching jobs across the league.
John Morton, San Francisco 49ers Wide Receivers Coach
Morton spent a year was the offensive coordinator at Southern Cal before joining Harbaugh in San Francisco as the wide receivers coach. If Roman wants to stay in the NFL - or take a head coaching job somewhere - Morton is the second most likely candidate. He's from Auburn Hills and played at Western Michigan, making a return to his home state very appealing.
Jimmie Dougherty, San Jose State Offensive Coordinator
Dougherty was a position coach under Harbaugh at the University of San Diego, and is rising up the college football coaching ranks. He's led San Jose State to an average of 33.6 points per game during his two seasons as coordinator, but he may not be ready for as prestigious of a job as Michigan, though he was the wide receivers coach at a Power 5 school (Washington).
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