3 leading candidates to replace Maurice Linguist on Jim Harbaugh’s Michigan football staff

Jim Harbaugh would be wise to consider these options to replace the departed Maurice Linguist on his Michigan football coaching staff.

Maurice Linguist did not even coach one game with the Michigan football team, but head coach Jim Harbaugh has to replace his former co-defensive coordinator this late in the offseason cycle.

This is because Linguist has replaced Lance Leipold as the head coach of the Buffalo Bulls.

Leipold was named the next head coach of the Kansas Jayhawks, replacing Les Miles who was fired in the wake of his scandal stemming from his time at LSU.

While this was an opportunity Linguist could not pass up, Harbaugh has to pick up the pieces to replace one of the top additions made to his coaching staff earlier this offseason.

According to GBMWolverine, these candidates could get the job to replace Linguist on Harbaugh’s staff.

Michigan football: 3 candidates to replace Maurice Linguist in Ann Arbor

Cory Robinson has Big Ten ties from his days with the Maryland Terrapins

An outside candidate for the gig would be New Orleans Saints secondary assistant Cory Robinson. He has been with the Saints for two years, but an opportunity to coach college defensive backs and get back into the recruiting game could be enticing for Robinson. Before heading to the Saints, Robinson had worked for Michigan’s Big Ten East rival Maryland Terrapins.

Doug Mallory is a logical, promote-from-within candidate for Michigan

If Michigan wants to make a smart, under-the-radar move, the Wolverines can promote from within and have former Michigan player Doug Mallory be Linguist’s replacement. Mallory had been part of Dan Quinn’s Atlanta Falcons staff throughout its entirety. Harbaugh wanted the pro experience to help turn around his defense. It is not a sexy move for Michigan, but it can be an effective one.

Steve Clinkscale is ready to become a Power 5 defensive coordinator

The top candidate to be Linguist’s successor is Kentucky Wildcats defensive backs coach Steve Clinkscale. He has been in Lexington on Mark Stoops’ staff since 2016, helping Kentucky reach five bowl games in the process. Given that he coaches the same position group where Stoops cut his teeth, we know Clinkscale has been groomed to be a Power 5 defensive coordinator someday.

Overall, Michigan has more candidates to replace Linguist than you would probably think. Robinson is a bit of an outsider to get the gig, but promoting Mallory from within or prying Clinkscale away from the SEC is totally in play. Factor in how well Kentucky recruits Ohio under Stoops and this would make Clinkscale the presumptive favorite to replace Linguist this summer.

Who will end up being Linguist’s replacement on the Michigan football coaching staff?

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