Dec 7, 2025; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh reacts after a call following a play against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first half at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-Imagn Images

Sherrone Moore being fired as Michigan football coach was not pre-planned. Michigan conducted an internal investigation and found credible evidence Moore engaged in inappropriate conduct with a member of the UM staff.

Nevertheless, the job opening is certainly seen by a lot of Michigan fans as a good and important development -- not, of course, for the inappropriate behavior and the damage done to a few specific lives, but because UM fans generally thought Moore was not ready or able to handle the job. Now the Wolverines can upgrade and make a renewed run at Ohio State while also upscaling to compete better with Curt Cignetti's Big Ten championship program over at Indiana.

Other writers will come up with whole lists of candidates, and that's a necessary thing to do right now. I'm going to focus on just one name, because it's the only one Michigan needs: John Harbaugh.

Ravens going nowhere

John Harbaugh won a Super Bowl with the Baltimore Ravens, but that was over a decade ago. Harbaugh has also had several seasons to knock the door down with Lamar Jackson and bring Baltimore back to the big game. He has failed, and the Ravens are currently near .500 and are not in good position to make a run at the Super Bowl. If ever there was a time for the Ravens to seek new leadership, this is it. John Harbaugh has been a good NFL coach for a long time, but this is a natural, logical spot for a divorce and a change for both parties. It makes total sense.

January transfer portal

With college football moving to a January transfer portal which starts on Jan. 2, 2026, John Harbaugh could coach his final NFL regular-season game on January 4. If the Ravens don't make the playoffs, that's a short-enough turnaround that Michigan could hire Harbaugh and not miss too much portal time. The revised calendar makes it reasonable for Michigan to wait a few weeks and hire an NFL coach. It's entirely realistic and feasible.

Tom Brady as general manager

Tom Brady's involvement with the Las Vegas Raiders has been a total bust. The idea of Brady hitting his own reset button while still calling NFL games on Sundays seems workable. Can you imagine Michigan having that kind of a powerhouse in its front office? Really: This is not dumb, and it seems well within the bounds of what's possible for UM.

Reminder -- Michigan and the Ravens have worked together

No one needs a big explanation about the pipeline between Michigan and the Ravens when Jim Harbaugh coached UM. Mike Macdonald, Jesse Minter, Wink Martindale, the list goes on. John Harbaugh going from the Ravens to Michigan would merely continue a pattern, and you know Jim would absolutely love it out in Los Angeles with the Chargers.

NFL brand and identity

Michigan hiring John Harbaugh would give the Wolverines a proven, established coach with a solid reputation, and someone who would bring instant credibility to recruits and transfer portal prospects. Michigan has the dollars to make moves, but having a proven coach would attract top players to Ann Arbor.

Feels like a strong move but not a gamble

John Harbaugh hasn't worked at Michigan, and yet he knows Michigan. The Wolverines would get someone who is solid and established, and yet someone who wouldn't have to be taught about the way things are done at Michigan. He knows the program without having been there on a daily basis. Michigan gets elements of upside without nearly as much risk as what it would face with "outsider" candidates. John Harbaugh is not an outsider -- not at Michigan.

John Harbaugh's offensive coordinator

John Harbaugh fielding a good Michigan defense doesn't feel like a big challenge, or at least, not his most daunting task. Getting the offense right -- after Sherrone Moore failed to do so in 2025 -- would be the defining test for Harbaugh if he takes the job.

Brian Daboll is no longer an NFL head coach after being fired by the New York Giants. Daboll will be in demand as an offensive coordinator, pro or college, and could be an intriguing choice for Michigan. If the Buffalo Bills fire offensive coordinator Joe Brady, Harbaugh could pivot to him. Remember: Joe Brady helped Joe Burrow win the 2019 national championship and Heisman Trophy at LSU. Those are just some of the names John Harbaugh could consider in Ann Arbor.

Jim Harbaugh would be quite pleased. Now let's see if Michigan pursues this path.

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This article originally appeared on College Sports Wire: John Harbaugh makes total sense as top candidate for Michigan opening

Reporting by Matt Zemek, College Sports Wire / College Sports Wire

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