Steve Clinkscale, Michigan football’s DB coach and top recruiter, was traded to the Chargers.
The coaches leaving Michigan football continue to leave.
According to a person with knowledge of the issue who spoke to the Free Press, Steve Clinkscale, the defensive backs coach and coordinator of the defensive passing game for the Wolverines, is leaving to join Jim Harbaugh’s staff with the Los Angeles Chargers.
The 46-year-old Clinkscale will assume the same position in Los Angeles, and he is anticipated to notify the players of his choice on Saturday.
Along with Harbaugh, defensive coordinator Jesse Minter, defensive line coach Mike Elston, and strength and conditioning coach Ben Herbert, he is the fifth member of the team from the previous season to depart for Los Angeles.
RAINER SABIN: The advantages and disadvantages of Michigan’s new defensive coordinator, Wink Martindale
Although he’s joining former Michigan defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald’s staff in Seattle, special teams coordinator Jay Harbaugh also departed for the NFL.
The Wolverines were reportedly poised to hire Don “Wink” Martin
dale as their new defensive coordinator, according to reports that surfaced on Friday.
After his debut season, Clinkscale was promoted to co-defensive coordinator and played for the Wolverines for the previous three seasons. Throughout his three seasons, U-M’s pass defense and pass defensive efficiency were within the top 20 and top 30 in the nation, respectively. That included 2023, when Michigan ranked No. 2 in yards allowed and led the country in scoring defense.
Under his leadership, Michigan finished 40-3 with three victories against Ohio State, three Big Ten titles, three trips to the College Football Playoffs, and a national championship.
DJ Turner and Daxton Hill, two first-round picks and second-round picks, respectively, were coached by Clinkscale. Josh Wallace and Mike Sainristil are anticipated to follow this season, and following the 2024 campaign, Makari Paige, Rod Moore, and Will Johnson most likely will as well.
Born in Youngstown, Ohio, Clinkscale is a loss in many ways, but especially in terms of recruiting.
ARE YOU THE CHAIR HERE?Committee chair for the College Football Playoffs is Michigan AD Warde Manuel.
