The University of Michigan coaching staff has lost every defensive coach in the country as the college football coaching exodus carries on. There are many of examples, the Wolverines being one.
To take a position as head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers, Jim Harbaugh departed Ann Arbour. He took a sizable group of his employees with him to the NFL. Some decided not to stay and looked elsewhere for fresh opportunities. Jay, Harbaugh’s son, also departed to join the Seahawks as their special teams coach.
On Saturday morning, the last member of the Wolverines’ defensive staff informed the team of his intention to leave. Steve Clinkscale, the Chargers’ defensive backs coach and co-defensive coordinator, made the decision to join the team. His departure from a few days ago is a total 180º.
Earlier in the week, Clinkscale had a meeting with his team to let them know he would be staying at Michigan. Even though he was offered a contract extension and raise in Ann Arbour, by the end of the week he had had enough.
Consequently, all defensive coaches from the Wolverines’ national title squad have left. Not even one is left. Everybody went to get new jobs.
This comes as no great surprise. It has a direct bearing on a more general trend in the sport.
College football coaches want a better life, therefore they’ll take whatever professional position they can get, even if it means taking a little pay cut. At the first possible chance, they are running to the NFL. or, in Clinkscale’s instance, a second chance.
An already hectic job has been made even more so by Name, Image, and Likeness as well as the transfer gateway. Change is desperately needed, but since the NCAA has any authority, nothing will be done until a capable regulatory body takes over. The future looks bleak.
Coaches are departing at the first chance as a result. Jeff Haffley, the head coach of Boston College, accepted a position as an NFL defensive coordinator. Kliff Kingsbury and Liam Coen returned to the professional ranks. It took Clinkscale less than a week to realise his mistake and leave.
There’s no stopping this trend!
