It is no secret that Michigan football, after Jim Harbaugh signed his contract extension earlier this month, is renewing the coaching staff in style.
The first announcement came in the form of former all-time Wolverines leader, rusher Mike Hart returning to Ann Arbor to train running backs after spending the past four seasons doing so in Indiana. Then Mike Macdonald was announced as the new defensive coordinator after spending seven years with the Baltimore Ravens. The rest of the defensive team was proclaimed this week, with the retention of defensive line coach Shaun Nua and lineback coach Brian Jean-Mary, and the addition of safeties coach George Helow and cornerback coach / defense co-coordinator Maurice Linguist.
Everything seemed ready, but the adjustments were not yet finished.
Ed Warinner, the Wolverines’ three-year offensive line manager who had changed the unit after a few dying years of 2015-17, was apparently safe. However, in the world of college football – especially after a 2-4 campaign – there were no sacred cows, as Michigan football seems ready to part ways with the former offensive lineman. The Wolverines will hire former receiver Ron Bellamy, whose West Bloomfield program has just won a state championship.
Given the turnaround of the offensive line unit, Warinner has become a fan favorite, with many corn and blue fans saying they would like a lifetime contract for the 36-year veteran coach.
A Mount Union graduate, Warinner spent most of his coaching career in the Army, where he coached from 1987-99. He also trained at Michigan State, had several stints in Kansas, spent a year in Illinois, had two years at Notre Dame, won a national championship at Ohio State and had a year in Minnesota.
For now, the team is as mentioned above, with Jay Harbaugh reportedly coaching special teams. There is no official word yet on whether tight ends coach Sherrone Moore has been hired at this point.
Update: Warinner may still be on the team, but not in his current role. Stay tuned.
Second update: Bellamy will be the coach of wide receivers and tight ends, Sherrone Moore will be the coach of the offensive line and will receive the title of co-offensive coordinator.