The 2023 Michigan Wolverines captured the nation’s attention with a dominant run to the College Football Playoff national championship, and the ripple effects of that victory have continued to shape the football landscape.
The Coaching Exodus
Head coach Jim Harbaugh left Ann Arbor for the Los Angeles Chargers, where he has posted an 11‑6 record over his first two seasons but has yet to break through the AFC Wild Card round.
His departure triggered a wave of movement among assistants, with defensive coordinator Jesse Minter heading to Baltimore to become the Ravens’ head coach, while Mike Elston joined Harbaugh’s staff in Los Angeles as the defensive line coach.
Mike Hart, a former Michigan star, returned to the college ranks as running backs coach at Boston College, while Ron Bellamy was tapped to lead Michigan’s player personnel department.
Grant Newsome, who starred on the offensive line for the Wolverines, now works as an assistant offensive line coach for the New York Giants, and Chris Partridge took a similar role with the Seattle Seahawks, focusing on defensive run‑game coordination.
Steve Clinkscale, another key defensive mind, was hired by the Chargers to coach the team’s defensive backs, and Jay Harbaugh, Jim’s son, was named special teams coordinator for Seattle.
Ben Herbert, the Wolverines’ executive director of player performance, stayed within the Chargers organization, overseeing performance analytics for the franchise.
Kirk Campbell, who had been promoted to offensive coordinator in 2024, was let go after a single season and now serves as an offensive assistant with the Chargers.
The migration of these coaches illustrates how a national championship can serve as a springboard, moving talent across college and professional leagues.