Michigan named his replacement for Don Brown. Mike Macdonald will be the team’s next defensive coordinator, Michigan announced Sunday. Macdonald has spent the past seven seasons working for Jim Harbaugh’s brother John and the Baltimore Ravens, whose season ended Saturday night in the AFC Division Round against Buffalo. Macdonald, 35, has been the coach of Ravens’ defenders for the past three seasons and served as defensive coach and defense assistant before that.
“Mike is an excellent defender, highly respected throughout the NFL,” said Harbaugh in a statement. “He has been a valued member of the Baltimore Ravens team and has demonstrated a passion for teaching, training and developing his players. We are excited about everything Mike brings to our defense, team and university, and look forward to welcoming him and his bride Stephanie. of our Michigan Football family. “
Brown joined Jim Harbaugh’s team in 2016 after Harbaugh’s first season at Ann Arbor and guided some of the Big Ten’s main defenses in its first four seasons before a significant drop in 2020. Even during the strong statistical seasons, there were still frustrating deficiencies exposed in losses to the state of Ohio. Brown and Michigan split in December, and this hiring has been one of the most intriguing on the coaching carousel. Given the timing of the announcement – one day after the Ravens’ season ended – this decision has probably worked for some time.
This is a return to college football for Macdonald, who worked as a defensive assistant for Mark Richt’s 2011-13 Georgia team. He trained both internal and external linebackers during his time in Athens, helping to guide All-SEC linebacker Ramik Wilson and contributing to two SEC title winners in the Eastern division.
“It is an honor to be part of Coach Harbaugh’s team at the University of Michigan,” said Macdonald. “I firmly believe in his vision and am excited to start working. Our team will work tirelessly to develop our youth on and off the pitch – I can’t wait to meet and develop relationships with our players, team and community! Stephanie and I are excited to join the Michigan family and we are very grateful for this opportunity – Go Blue! ”