Brian Kelly Rumored to be New Michigan Wolverines Coach if Jim Harbaugh Abandons Michigan for NFL in 2024

Amid the annual rumors that Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh may be departing Ann Arbor for an NFL coaching job, LSU Tigers head coach Brian Kelly emerged as a potential favorite to replace Harbaugh, according to LSU insider Matt Moscona.

In an article from AthlonSports, Moscona displayed the confidence he has in this rumor.

“If Jim Harbaugh goes back to the NFL and Michigan is open. If Michigan pursues Brian Kelly, he would leave LSU for Michigan. I am confident in saying that,” Moscona said.

This is the second prominent media member who has guaranteed Brian Kelly leaving #LSU for Michigan.

I may throw up 🤢 pic.twitter.com/IuSiW7prsm

— Nick Dias (@TheNickDias) December 23, 2023

Texas A&M insider Billy Liucci outlined a similar sentiment in November. Liucci, who broke the news of the firing of Jimbo Fisher, discussed Kelly’s future on “Pregaming the SEC” with Jacob Hester and Chris Doering.

“There’s a couple people in coaching that told me, ‘Hey, watch out for Brian Kelly. He’s not a perfect fit there in Baton Rouge. He might be pursuing that Michigan job if it comes open,’” Liucci told the show.

Despite all these rumors, Kelly expressed the idea of LSU being his last coaching job after a win in the final game of the regular season. In an article from SaturdayTradition, Kelly explained why he wanted to stay at LSU.

“I want to be at LSU. I love it here. I’m not going anywhere,” Kelly said in the Nov. 25 postgame press conference. “This is my last stop on the Coach Kelly caravan. You always go, ‘Well, you know he’s just saying that to get the right soundbite.’ But I don’t have to say anything that puts me in a corner, but this is it. This is where I want to be, this is where I want to coach.”

Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh is at an impasse in contract negotiations due to a clause that wouldn’t allow him to get an NFL job

For the last three years as the head coach of Michigan, there have been substantial rumors of a potential departure for the NFL. Harbaugh stayed put following those rumors, but the rumors are churning once again.

In light of this, Michigan is attempting to prevent this from happening by putting a clause in his new contract that would not allow him to shop around or take an NFL coaching job while at Michigan.

He was offered a contract that would pay $125 million over 10 years with the aforementioned caveat, according to Ian Rapaport. It is reportedly this clause that is preventing Harbaugh from re-signing.

Despite these reports, Harbaugh hinted at a return during the team’s end-of-season awards ceremony. It was reported by a local news anchor that he addressed the team in a manner that would imply his return for the 2024 season.

Jim Harbaugh turned to a group of fourth- and fifth-year seniors who were being honored at Michigan’s team awards ceremony:

“I’d just like to say that I hope some of you are coming back next year!”https://t.co/SWhzNzCiFf

— Alejandro Zúñiga (@ByAZuniga) December 18, 2023

LSU Tigers head coach Brian Kelly sustained success at multiple major programs, and he would hit the ground running at Michigan

Kelly has the potential to have two 10-win seasons in his first two years as the head coach of the LSU Tigers if he wins in the ReliaQuest Bowl against the Wisconsin Badgers on New Year’s Day.

Not only did Kelly generate a winning team with in his first years at LSU, but he made a transfer quarterback a Heisman winner in his first year on the team. Quarterback Jayden Daniels and wide receiver Malik Nabers both had historical seasons under Kelly.

Nabers has the record for all-time receptions at LSU ahead of elite receivers like Justin Jefferson and Ja’Marr Chase. Daniels is the only player in FBS history to pass for 12,000 yards and rush for 3,000 yards. Despite an illustrious statistical career at Arizona State, Daniels’ best season was under Kelly.

LSU’s lackluster defense was the only thing holding them back from being a national title contender. If Kelly were to take the job at Michigan, he would inherit one of the nation’s best defenses. If Kelly could take Michigan’s offense to the next level and maintain the top-ranked defense of Michigan, the Wolverines could be a difficult team to bet in 2024.

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