The Michigan Wolverines are looking for a new defensive coordinator after D.J. Durkin took the head coaching job at Maryland. Durkin helped turn the Wolverines into a top five defense this year, but head coach Jim Harbaugh only expects them to get better in 2016. Here are the top six guys that could take over as Michigan's defensive coordinator next season:
6) Ed Donatell, defensive backs coach, Chicago Bears
Coached defensive backs under Harbaugh in San Francisco from 2011-14 (coaching the defensive backs), and has spent time as the defensive coordinator of the Green Bay Packers (2000-03) and Atlanta Falcons (2004-06), checking off a major box Harbaugh looks for. He won't be a top option, he is a very, very good fallback plan.
5) Greg Mattison, defensive line coach, Michigan Wolverines
Mattison was Michigan's defensive coordinator from 2011-14 and 1995-96, while also holding the jobs at Notre Dame (1997-2001), Florida (2005-07), and with the Baltimore Ravens (2008-10). He showed his loyalty to Michigan by staying on board despite being demoted in favor of Durkin, making him a good candidate, but Harbaugh is expected to try to bring in new talent for the position.
4) Scott Shafer, former Syracuse head coach
Shafter has a good relationship with Harbaugh, serving as his assistant head coach and defensive coordinator with Stanford in 2007, before leaving to become Michigan's defensive coordinator in 2008. He was then fired after just one year and took the same job at Syracuse, where his success earned him the head coaching job in 2013, though he was just fired.
3) Jeremy Pruitt, defensive coordinator, Georgia Bulldogs
Pruitt is on the market after Georgia fired head coach Mark Richt, serving as the Bulldogs defensive coordinator this year after holding the job at Florida State in 2013. However, Pruitt does have strong ties to the Alabama program and is expected to take over their defensive coordinator job after Kirby Smart took the Georgia head coaching job. Expect Michigan to still gauge his interest.
2) Lance Anderson, defensive coordinator, Stanford Cardinal
Anderson was hired by Harbaugh as San Diego's recruiting coordinator way back in 2005, and Harbaugh then brough Anderson to Stanford in 2007. He has been the defensive coordinator for the Cardinal under head coach David Shaw for two years. Anderson was a top target of Harbaugh a year ago before ultimately deciding on Durkin, and will be right at the top of the list again.
1) Vic Fangio, defensive coordinator, Chicago Bears
Undoubtedly Harbaugh's top target, Fangio was Harbaugh's defensive coordinator at Stanford in 2010 and followed him to the 49ers, where he was also the defensive coordinator from 2011-14. He's a proven commodity with NFL experience, something Harbaugh really wants to attract recruits, but there's no guaranteed Vangio will leave the NFL. He reportedly turned down the Michigan defensive coordinator job last year - but that won't stop Harbaugh from throwing everything he can at Fangio.
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