Analyzing the chances of if Michigan can keep Ben Herbert

As Michigan’s staff changes amidst the coaching switch, one person that several have had their eyes on is Ben Herbert, the team’s associate head coach and strength coach. The Wolverines’ Clayton Sayfie has positive news, though, when it comes to the latest on his job status in Ann Arbor.

Sayfie spoke about the program’s chances of retaining Herbert during ‘Andy Staples On3’ on Sunday. To start, he stressed Herbert’s importance to their building over the past six seasons on the staff.

“He is one of two (strength coaches) in the country who makes over a million dollars. He has been that valuable to this program. Jim Harbaugh tried to nominate him for The Broyles Award a couple of years ago,” Sayfie explained. “That’s how much he means to Jim Harbaugh, this program, the players, and everything else.”

“He is also associate head coach,” added Sayfie. “I mean Jim Harbaugh tried to give him, like, every title that he possibly could. He just loves the dude but everybody loves the dude, including Sherrone Moore.”

That’s when Sayfie then dove into the latest regarding Herbert’s future. When this started, there was a belief that he’d be leaving for the Los Angeles Chargers with Harbaugh and some other coaches on the staff. However, as of late following the hiring of Moore, the sense is trending toward a return to Michigan.

“I think, initially and it’s probably still happening? The buzz was that Jim Harbaugh was going to try to take Ben Herbert with him,” Sayfie started.

“From what we’ve heard? There’s a strong chance that Sherrone Moore is going to be able to retain Ben Herbert and keep him in,” said Sayfie. “He said yesterday that he’s very encouraged. We’ve also spoken to people around the program. It sounds like that’s the way that things are leaning at this point.”

Sayfie underlined that stance based on what Herbert was doing ahead of Moore’s first meeting with the team as the team’s newest head coach.

“A big clue as well would be Sherrone Moore? Before he addressed the team on Saturday for the first time as Michigan’s head coach? The guy who addressed the team before him was Ben Herbert. The guy who was leading the workout before that was Ben Herbert,” Sayfie said. “It was fitting that the first team meeting was right in the middle of the weight room with Herbert and Sherrone.”

Plenty still needs to be sorted out in regards to what the program will look like under Moore. Still, based on his latest intel regarding the blue & maize, Sayfie thinks it looks like whatever those plans are will likely be including Herbert remaining in his role.

“I think that that’s going to happen most likely. That is huge for Michigan,” said Sayfie. “I think they understand how important it is to keep him.”