When the Wolverines entered the 2024 season, the spotlight was not on the offense or defense but on a unit that had become a liability: special teams. Under head coach Sherrone Moore, the team had inherited a legacy of inconsistency that dated back to the final years of Jim Harbaugh’s tenure, a period marked by missed field goals, errant punts and a lack of discipline on the coverage units.
A new direction for Michigan’s special teams
In the offseason, Moore turned to Kerry Coombs, a veteran assistant with a proven track record at Ohio State, to rewrite the narrative. Coombs arrived with a clear mandate: restore confidence, tighten execution and elevate the special‑teams unit to a national standard by 2026. Early signs emerged during the bowl victory over Texas, where the unit displayed tighter coverage, cleaner returns and a noticeable reduction in penalties.
Central to the rebuild was the addition of Trey Butkowski, a reliable leg who earned a Lou Groza Award nomination during his college career. His presence was intended to stabilize the kicking game, while the coaching staff emphasized securing kickoffs and limiting costly miscues.
The previous regime had been plagued by a series of setbacks. Dominic Zvada’s erratic performance in 2024, coupled with struggles from returners Andrew Marsh and Semaj Morgan, resulted in repeated fumbles and subpar field position. Long snapping issues and inaccurate punts further compounded the problems, nearly costing Michigan a national championship in 2023.
The departure of Jim Harbaugh after the 2023 season, followed by the exit of his son Jay Harbaugh for the NFL, left a vacuum that was filled temporarily by JB Brown. Brown’s tenure ended with his dismissal at the close of the 2024 campaign, paving the way for Coombs to take the reins.
Looking ahead, Coombs has articulated a roadmap that hinges on recruiting, discipline and execution. By targeting top special‑teams talent and instilling a culture of precision, Michigan aims to transform a historically weak area into a competitive advantage, with the ultimate goal of ranking among the nation’s best by the 2026 season.