Internal candidates:
TE Coach George Godsey
One of the better units on this team. 12 years in the NFL. Held OC positions twice. 2015-16 with Houston and 2021 was Co-OC in Miami. Did his playing as a QB for Georgia Tech from 1997-2001 with one Ralph Friedgen as his OC until 2001. Other than being on staff for this, his first season, no ties to Harbaugh otherwise.
QB Coach James Urban
Has been the QB Coach here as long as Lamar Jackson has been here. 18 years total in the NFL. Worked on the same staff as Harbaugh for four years in Philly.
External candidates:
Matt Weiss, Co-Offensive Coordinator, Michigan
Under investigation for "computer access crimes". We'll see what level of severity that ends up being. if nothing, Weiss Had spent 11 years on the Ravens staff in a variety of roles, including assistant QBs coach, assistant WRs coach, and RBs coach. Was a GA for Jim at Stanford for two seasons. His offense is based on a power run game that sets up play action passes.
Jay Harbaugh, Special Team Coordinator, Michigan
John's nephew. Was on the Ravens staff as offensive quality control from 2012-2014. At Michigan has also worked with running backs and tight ends form 2015-2021. Safeties in addition to STs in 2022.
Zac Robinson, QB Coach/Pass game coordinator, LA Rams
Young coach, running the ball is integral but modern passing concepts led the Rams to a SB, and historic seasons by Cooper Kupp. Former Pro Football Focus Analyst plays well in Harbaugh's forward thinking side.
Nathaniel Hackett, Former Head Coach, Denver Broncos
Didn't make it through one season as a head coach, but has led prolific rushing offenses at his stops as an OC over the years.
Who else?
If I had to rank these in order of most likely to least likely...
1. Urban
2. Hackett
3. Someone Not listed
4. Robinson
5. Godsey
6. Weiss
7. Jay
I think Urban is the favorite as an internal guy, knows the offense, must have a good relationship with Lamar to be here throughout his tenure so far. Lamar may have some input here.
Hacket based on resume, success in the running game, and probably not gaining HC status again.
I'm intrigued by Robinson the more I read. But a young up and comer has never been on the Harbaugh radar until maybe McDonald who is only 35. Everyone else has never been a threat to unseat Harbaugh if Bisciotti were to ever pull that trigger. Also, seems like the sexy candidate who always end on up on the Jets or Lions and then sucks.
I'd guess internally Urban would be offered the job before Godsey. Seniority, tenure. Urban probably doesn't turn down a promotion.
Weiss has just been fired, so the investigation had to turn up something bad. We don't know what. "Fraudulent activity". Is he a hacker? Did he look up something school policies don't allow you to look up on public computers, like porn? Was he shopping on the dark web?
This could either be a stupid, but forgivable offense. If he looked up some regular old normal adults consenting porn while working late one night, it's stupid, but I could get past it. Or it could be a dark, criminal, lock you up in prison kind of thing, that you don't look past at all.
Jay Harbaugh was kind of listed just for fun. But, some guys do put their kids (nephews) in these positions, qualified or not.