Jim Harbaugh has already swooped in and taken Jesse Minter and Ben Herbert to join him in LA with the Chargers. Now it appears that he is looking to add two key defensive coaches. Sam Webb, hinted at it with a post recently to which it is going more public:
Real Recognize Real report (2/5) – Pro coaching jobs impacting #Michigan’s target list, externally and internally #GoBlue (VIP) https://t.co/MPMa1jFHOk pic.twitter.com/WsV5YVWy8F
— Sam Webb (@SamWebb77) February 5, 2024
DB coach Steve Clinkscale and DL coach Mike Elston are the two candidates who are receiving interest:
Michigan coaches, Steve Clinkscale (Co-DC/DB) and Mike Elston (DL), are receiving interest from Jim Harbaugh to join the Los Angeles Chargers coaching staff.
Neither has committed to staying at Michigan yet. pic.twitter.com/sK5UrsugAu
— The Big Ten Huddle 🎙️ (@TheBigTenHuddle) February 5, 2024
Michigan is reportedly looking at Chiefs DL coach Joe Cullen to be the DC, which has previously been reported.
Clinkscale is currently a co-DC and you would have to believe he is looking to call plays.
We’ll see how it all unfolds but losing two key defensive coaches would not help with retaining some of the star Michigan players who could look to the portal and potentially cash in more.
Elston can be seen with recruits from over the weekend:
Thank you @UMichFootball for the great visit! @CoachMikeElston @grant_newsome @Coach_SMoore @Red_Zone75 pic.twitter.com/6MgpKDmReg
— Kole Briehler 2025 (@briehler) February 6, 2024
Add the mix is that Mike Hart, who has a contract running up, is nowhere to be found for the Wolverines as their RB coach.