The Michigan Wolverines’ triumph in The Game saved face for a bunch of individuals. Perhaps none more than Sherrone Moore, who needed this more than he could’ve explicitly owned up to. Unfortunately, though, it didn’t do enough to save his OC Kirk Campbell. His much-maligned stint as the play-caller came to a premature but expected end.

After Moore took over the head coaching mantle from OC, the tide rising naturally elevated Campbell from quarterbacks coach to his new role. However, the Michigan offense took a steep downturn under his reign. This was accentuated by the inability to find consistency under center. Now that he’s been dismissed, there is no standing on ceremony and a figurative period of mourning being observed in Ann Arbor. They’re on the lookout for a successor.

A plethora of names have been credibly cited as potential candidates. This includes coaches who’ve leveraged their services in various capacities as well at various levels- college or NFL. One name of note in the fray is former Tampa Bay Buccaneers OC Byron Leftwich. The former quarterback turned coach was a part of the Bucs’ Super Bowl-winning unit with Tom Brady. Michigan insider TJ Ronin relayed his thoughts on the prospect of Byron Leftwich on the sidelines at the Big House.

In a video on the MichiganVOCFB YouTube channel, Ronin shared reasons why the Wolverines are in for Leftwich. “The reason why this is intriguing is because he was, at one time, one of the hottest names in the NFL for a head coaching job. It never occurred [and] right now, he does not have a job.”, he said. TJ Ronin proceeded to expand on why Leftwich may transpire to be the ideal figure to return the Michigan Wolverines to their former glory.

“If you were to go in this direction, he does have NFL caliber bloodline. He has coordinated NFL offenses. He’s seen complex defenses. College defenses are not even to the level of a NFL defense, right? He’s been a coordinator in the Super Bowl, the biggest game. So, like, there’s an experience-level knowledge base that is truly at an elite level. So it’s an interesting name.”, explained Ronin. If the interest is reciprocated by Byron Leftwich, he shall be vying for the job against a stacked bunch of adversaries.

Who are the other contenders for becoming the Michigan Wolverines’ OC?

One of the bigger names in the reckoning, as per Ronin’s intel, is Dan Mullen. The former Florida Gators’ HC now works as a broadcaster for ABC and ESPN. Mullen has also been name-dropped for the vacant HC opening at North Carolina. However, he has hinted at a reluctance to get back into coaching. There is another name in the mix who’s actually a current FBS head coach.

Jason Candle of the Toledo Rockets is another contender. The two-time MAC Champion and COTY is not the flashiest name but is revered by his peers across the CFB sphere. TJ Ronin cosigned this hire if it came to fruition. “If we had Jason Candle I would be very happy. He definitely fits what Bryce Underwood is. He would definitely build the offense around him. It’d be exciting to watch.”

Other names floated by Ronin include Akron HC Joe Moorehead and Tulane OC Joe Craddock. The Michigan job is viewed by many as a poisoned chalice. It is a “National Championship or Bust” program to walk into. However, the opportunity to develop the no.1 player in his class, Bryce Underwood, beckons. The coaching carousel around CFB is just in its infancy. As the pieces fall, it shall be interesting to see who succeeds Kirk Campbell.