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Michigan football’s coaching exodus rolls on.
Steve Clinkscale, the Wolverines’ defensive backs coach and defensive passing game coordinator, is leaving to join Jim Harbaugh’s staff with the Los Angeles Chargers, a source with knowledge of the situation told the Free Press.
Clinkscale, 46, will take over the same role in L.A. and is expected to inform players of his decision on Saturday.
He is the fifth member of last year’s staff to leave for Los Angeles, joining Harbaugh, defensive coordinator Jesse Minter, defensive line coach Mike Elston and strength & conditioning coach Ben Herbert.
Michigan co-defensive coordinator Steve Clinkscale talks to players at a timeout against TCU during the second half at the Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. on Saturday, Dec. 31, 2022.
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Special teams coordinator Jay Harbaugh also left for the NFL, though he’s joining former Michigan defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald’s staff in Seattle.
This news comes after reports surfaced Friday that the Wolverines were expected to name Don “Wink” Martindale as the next defensive coordinator.
Clinkscale spent the past three seasons with the Wolverines and was elevated to co-defensive coordinator after his first season. U-M’s defense ranked in the top 30 in the country in pass defense and top 20 in pass defense efficiency each of his three seasons. That included 2023, when Michigan led the nation in scoring defense and ranked No. 2 in yards allowed.
Michigan went 40-3 during his tenure with three wins over Ohio State, three Big Ten championships, three College Football Playoff appearances and a national championship.
Clinkscale coached two NFL selections, first-rounder Daxton Hill and second-round pick DJ Turner. Mike Sainristil and Josh Wallace are expected to follow this season, as will, likely enough, Will Johnson, Rod Moore and Makari Paige after the 2024 season.
Clinkscale, a Youngstown, Ohio, native, is a loss in several regards, but particularly on the recruiting trail.
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Michigan co-defensive coordinator Steve Clinkscale waves at the fans during the National Championship parade in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Jan. 13, 2024.
He was the Wolverines’ ace defensive recruiter during his tenure — he lured in players such as Johnson, defensive back Jyaire Hill and even incoming running back Jordan Marshall — particularly in his home state of Ohio where U-M has made significant inroads in recent years after having turned their attention away from the state not long ago.
New head coach Sherrone Moore talked about his desire to keep Michigan’s staff together in order to keep continuity, though that has turned out to be much easier said than done.
