College Football America’s 2015 Coaching Carousel update: Bobo takes charge at Colorado State

New Colorado State head coach Mike Bobo.

Once Colorado State got moving, it didn’t take them too long to hire a new head coach, luring Georgia offensive coordinator Mike Bobo to take over the Rams.

The Rams made the hiring official on Monday. And Bobo, frankly, is a solid hire.

He’s a Georgia man through and through so don’t rule out a return to Athens one day if Mark Richt ever leaves. But Bobo is a former Bulldogs quarterback who joined Richt’s staff right after Richt was hired and worked his way up to offensive coordinator. If you’ve been paying attention the past two years you’ve seen Bobo do fine work in keeping the offense moving in spite of injuries to players like quarterback Aaron Murray and running back Todd Gurley. He was on our College Football America hot coaches list earlier this season.

Bobo inherits a Rams team that won 10 games this past season, but lost to Utah in the Las Vegas Bowl. That said, Bobo is getting a program in good shape and whose rise led to Jim McElwain getting the Florida job.

As for the two remaining open jobs:

Michigan athletics’ Twitter message to Jim Harbaugh for his birthday on Dec. 23.

Michigan. San Francisco general manager Trent Baalke confirmed on Monday that Michigan has inquired about Jim Harbaugh. Everything is in place for the former Michigan quarterback to head back to his alma mater. He would just need Baalke to fire him. Sports Illustrated all but reported that it’s going to happen last week in an expansive piece on what’s wrong with the 49ers. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported on Monday night that his NFL sources say it’s down to Michigan and the Oakland Raiders, assuming the 49ers fire Harbaugh after the season ends on Sunday.

Just in case you needed reminding of Harbaugh’s Michigan ties, the athletic department tweeted out a birthday greeting to Harbaugh.

If this is going to happen it will happen early next week. Don’t expect either side to drag their feet if that’s where Harbaugh wants to go.

Pittsburgh. Pat Narduzzi may finally be leaving Michigan State. Narduzzi, one of the top defensive minds in the game, is reportedly the Panthers’ top target. ESPN’s Joe Schad reported on Tuesday that a deal could be in place by the end of the week. Narduzzi was on College Football America’s Hot Coaching List at the start of this season and was a candidate for two jobs last offseason, including UConn.

2015 FBS COACHING CAROUSEL