Michigan could be in the market for a new head coach following Monday’s national title game.

For much of the college football season, speculation has been rising about Jim Harbaugh potentially returning to the NFL in the offseason. It’s an annual tradition for the program in Ann Arbor, but the circumstances of another NCAA investigation could push Harbaugh to take an NFL opening if a team comes calling.

During a recent episode of ESPN’s College GameDay podcast between Rece Davis and Pete Thamel, Thamel pointed to a Michigan roster that will look “radically different” once the 2023 season wraps up. If Harbaugh ultimately leaves it will further cement an offseason of radical change for the Wolverines.

“When a college job opens, it’s a mad scramble to fill it for all the reasons of stability, recruiting. But NFL jobs open, they could take a few weeks… so Michigan is going to be very interesting here in the coming months,” said Thamel. “Whether Harbaugh stays or not, they’re going to be very radically different as a roster. And if he leaves, it will be radically more different.”

While anything about a potential vacancy is merely speculation at this point, Thamel also tabbed Kalen DeBoer as a name to watch if Harbaugh does leave. Many have pointed to Wolverine offensive coordinator Sherrone Moore as the likely head coach in waiting if Harbaugh leaves, but DeBoer’s production as a proven head coach speaks for itself.

“I guess I’d be remiss to say there is a chance, if he leaves, that they could target Kalen DeBoer as their coach,” Thamel indicated. “Win or lose, Kalen DeBoer has proven to be one of the elite coaches in college football, period, full stop. So, if you’re Michigan, and look we just spent half this podcast talking about how great Sherrone Moore is, just a wonderful young coach and a football mind, but he’s never been a head coach.”

That type of speculation could make Husky fans uneasy, but Davis chimed in with a cautionary reminder to Washington:

“Washington fans: Just because Pete Thamel said Michigan or someone might target your coach, if you remember this one simple precept, your time with me will not have been ill-spent,” Davis said. “If nobody else wants your coach, sooner or later, you won’t want him either. So that’s a good thing.”

Here is the latest episode of the College GameDay podcast with the Harbaugh and DeBoer discussion beginning at the 39:06 mark: