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Redskins: 30 candidates who could potentially replace Jay Gruden as head coach

By Jacob Camenker

PITTSBURGH, PA - OCTOBER 06: head coach Mike Tomlin of the Pittsburgh Steelers calls a timeout in the fourth quarter during the game against the Baltimore Ravens at Heinz Field on October 6, 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - OCTOBER 06: head coach Mike Tomlin of the Pittsburgh Steelers calls a timeout in the fourth quarter during the game against the Baltimore Ravens at Heinz Field on October 6, 2019 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images) /
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MADISON, WISCONSIN – SEPTEMBER 21: Head coach Jim Harbaugh of the Michigan Wolverines watches action prior to a game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium on September 21, 2019 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
MADISON, WISCONSIN – SEPTEMBER 21: Head coach Jim Harbaugh of the Michigan Wolverines watches action prior to a game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Camp Randall Stadium on September 21, 2019 in Madison, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

player. 811. . Head Coach. Wolverines . Jim Harbaugh. 24

Previously: 17

Jim Harbaugh is a big name and many NFL fans will remember that he was able to take the San Francisco 49ers to the Super Bowl thanks to great seasons with Alex Smith and Colin Kaepernick at the helm. At the NFL level, Harbaugh was always able to get the most out of his quarterbacks and hired great defensive staffs that found success on that side of the ball.

Harbaugh brought that same formula to Michigan. And at first, that seemed to work well. Harbaugh’s defenses were good and the offenses were able to move the ball. Michigan has been in the College Football Playoff conversation year after year, but could just never reach the top.

The lattermost point there is the issue with Harbaugh. While his Michigan teams have been good, they haven’t been able to reach the pinnacle. They haven’t had much success against other top teams. And they were recently beaten badly by Wisconsin in a big game that they were supposed to have a chance at winning. Those types of losses in big moments have been a staple for Harbaugh with the Wolverines.

Additionally, Harbaugh’s development of college quarterbacks hasn’t been very good. Take Shea Patterson, for example. He was expected to have Johnny Manziel-type potential on the field without the off-the-field problems, but he hasn’t been able to put it all together and has instead struggled. Given that quarterbacks had previously been Harbaugh’s calling card, that’s definitely a red flag.

Still, if Michigan decides to move on from Harbaugh, or vice versa, the Redskins could have an interest in him. Perhaps he’s better served as an NFL coach at this point in time and he could have a chance to develop Haskins into a solid starter at the NFL level. If he’s available and the ‘Skins want to make a splash move, he’s a name that could come up. That said, they may be better served to target other options solely because of Harbaugh’s struggles in recent seasons.

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