Every single defensive coach on the University of Michigan staff is no longer with the program as the college football coaching exodus continues nationwide. The Wolverines are just one of many examples.
Jim Harbaugh left Ann Arbor to become the head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers. He brought a large portion of his staff with him to the NFL. Others did not choose to stay and sought new opportunity elsewhere. Even Harbaugh’s son Jay left to become the special teams coordinator with the Seahawks.
The final piece of the Wolverines’ defensive staff announced his decision to depart to players on Saturday morning. Co-defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach Steve Clinkscale chose to join the Chargers staff. His exit is a complete 180º from just a few days ago.
Clinkscale met with his team to inform them that he would be remaining at Michigan earlier in the week. He changed his mind by week’s end, even though a contract extension with a raise was on the table for him in Ann Arbor.
As a result, every single defensive coach from the Wolverines’ national championship team is gone. Not even one remains. They all left for new jobs.
This is not a huge surprise. It directly correlates to a larger trend within the sport.
College football coaches are wanting a better quality of life and seek any job on the professional level— even if it’s a small demotion. They are bolting to the NFL at first opportunity. Or, in Clinkscale’s case, second opportunity.
Name, Image and Likeness and the transfer portal have made a year-round job even more chaotic. There is a dire need for change, but the NCAA is completely powerless so nothing will be done until a competent governing body steps up. The outlook is grim.
As a result, coaches are leaving at the first opportunity. Boston College head coach Jeff Haffley took a defensive coordinator job in the NFL. Liam Coen and Kliff Kingsbury made the move back to the pros. Clinkscale needed less than a week to come to his senses and get out.
This trend is only going to continue!