Michigan formally announces promotions for offensive assistants Kirk Campbell, Grant Newsome
Michigan is looking to retain as many staff members as possible as it shifts from Jim Harbaugh to Sherrone Moore as head coach. Now, after losing some amidst the transition, the Wolverines have officially announced two retentions, yet changes to their titles, for their sideline.
The maize & blue made it official in regards to Kirk Campbell and Grant Newsome on Friday. Campbell, the quarterbacks coach, will now take on the responsibilities of being offensive coordinator as well. Meanwhile, Newsome, who worked with the tight ends this past year, is back to working with the offensive line. He will so in the place of Moore after he did the job for the past three seasons.
“Kirk and Grant are two bright offensive minds,” said Moore in the release. “They have brought a lot to our offensive staff and will make even larger contributions in their new roles. I am excited to have Kirk and Grant take on greater responsibilities in our offense as they continue working with our players to help further their development on and off the field.”
Both Campbell and Newsome shared statements as part of the news out of Ann Arbor as well.
2024 will be the third season for Campbell on staff at Michigan. He started as an offensive analyst before taking on the role of quarterbacks coach this past fall. Now, with all the changes on staff, he has worked his way all the way up to being offensive coordinator.
Campbell’s work with J.J. McCarthy this last year didn’t hurt his chances of getting the opportunity at all. McCarthy posted career-best numbers with just under 3,000 passing yards to go with 22 touchdowns, only four interceptions, three of which oddly came in one game, and a completion rate of 72.3% in 2023. He also rushed for 202 yards and three more scores.
His play, and, therefore, Campbell’s influence, helped the Wolverines go undefeated this season. That included winning the national title in the College Football Playoff with him as quarterback. He now leaves the program with a quality chance of being a high selection in the 2024 NFL Draft.
As for Newsome, 2024 will also be his third season on the staff as a full-time assistant. However, he has been in the building much longer than that as a part of the program since 2015. That gives him a decade of experience where he has worked with the offensive line and the tight end units.
This all comes after names like Jesse Minter, Jay Harbaugh, and Ben Herbert elected to leave the program in order to join Harbaugh with the Los Angeles Chargers.
Continuity, and as much of it as they can have, will be key as Moore takes over at Michigan. That makes these two moves regarding Campbell and Newsome as important ones, especially on offense, heading into his first season as head coach.