Oakland Raiders: Head Coaching Candidates if Harbaugh Goes to Michigan?

Dec 14, 2014; Seattle, WA, USA; San Francisco 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh reacts in the first quarter against the Seattle Seahawks at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Reports out of Ann Arbor that the University of Michigan has offered Jim Harbaugh a six-year, $48 million deal to be the head coach of their football program have added some momentum to speculation that Harbaugh might indeed choose to leave the NFL and return to the college ranks for his alma mater, a once-proud program that has fallen on rough times. Harbaugh spent much of his childhood in Ann Arbor while his father Jack was an assistant under the legendary Bo Schembechler, and of course had a great college career as a quarterback for Schembechler and the Wolverines. Michigan fans and proponents of the move argue that Ann Arbor is his “home” and that between the alleged massive contract offer and his roots in the area, it’s the most attractive opportunity for Harbaugh.

While it remains to be seen if the offer is for real or if it’s enough to make Harbaugh pass up on the potential of leading an NFL team to a Super Bowl championship, the Raiders organization certainly must have a backup plan ready for a scenario in which they cannot acquire Harbaugh, whether he take the Michigan job or if the 49ers decide to trade him to another NFL franchise like the Dolphins or Jets.  There are other head coaching candidates out there the Raiders might be or at least should be considering to guide the future of the franchise.

Here are a few non-Harbaugh names for the Raiders to consider.

Next: Rex Ryan: From NYC to the Bay?