Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh has never struggled to get people talking. It’s either a gift or a curse depending on who you root for.

Harbaugh’s latest media splash occurred when he said Urban Meyer has always had success but controversy seems to follow him wherever he coaches. That definitely was the case at Florida and Ohio State. However, I’m guessing Meyer wasn’t too fond of Harbaugh pointing out past issues.

By doing so, Harbaugh just drew more attention to the Michigan-Ohio State rivalry, as if it needed anymore coverage. While no one has suggested that Harbaugh’s job is in jeopardy, there are plenty of fans that would like to see Harbaugh improve on his 0-4 record against the Buckeyes and get Michigan to a College Football Playoff.

Harbaugh hasn’t been bad in Ann Arbor. He’s 38-14 overall and 26-9 in the Big Ten. That’s not shabby at all, but not close to what Michigan fans were hoping for when he was hired before the 2015 season. Remember, Harbaugh replaced former Michigan coach Brady Hoke, who recruited well. There was talent on the roster. There was no major rebuild needed.

The SEC and its fans see themselves as the best conference in the nation and they’re probably correct. So how many coaches could have done as well or better at Michigan had they taken the job when Harbaugh did?

Let’s begin with the obvious. Alabama’s Nick Saban is the best coach of this generation and could win anywhere. Michigan would almost assuredly have at least one national title in hand had Saban been hired instead of Harbaugh.

As for the next wave of coaches under consideration, Georgia’s Kirby Smart has had more success in less time than Harbaugh, so Smart gets the nod. Florida’s Dan Mullen hasn’t led a team to a College Football Playoff, but he’s every bit the coach that Harbaugh is given what Mullen achieved at Mississippi State. Mullen also gets the nod. Jimbo Fisher at Texas A&M won a national title at Florida State. That puts him ahead of Harbaugh.

Let’s rule out Chad Morris at Arkansas, Matt Luke at Ole Miss, Joe Moorhead at Mississippi State, Barry Odom at Missouri, Will Muschamp at South Carolina and Jeremy Pruitt at Tennessee. None has shown they could have won 38 games in 4 years at Michigan.

Then it gets interesting.

What about Kentucky’s Mark Stoops? He guided the Wildcats to a 10-win season last year with far less resources than Harbaugh. One would think he could do the same at Michigan.

Gus Malzahn is firmly on the hot seat at Auburn. However, he has won an SEC title as a head coach and a national championship as an offensive coordinator. He deserves consideration.

After a horrendous start at Vanderbilt, Derek Mason has a pair of 6-win seasons on his resume. That’s a monumental task at Vandy.

Lastly, Ed Orgeron is 25-9 at LSU. That’s nothing to brag and certainly short of what Harbaugh has done at Michigan. Moreover, Orgeron as the head coach at Michigan would be a disaster, albeit entertaining at the same time.

So do Michigan fans have reason to be disappointed in Harbaugh’s tenure, especially if he can’t have more success this season. Certainly. Despite his past coaching record, signature khakis and quotable nature, he’d be a middle-of-the-pack coach in the SEC.