Michigan hires former Ohio State DC Kerry Coombs as new special teams coordinator

Kerry Coombs is heading to Ann Arbor, becoming Michigan‘s new special teams coordinator. The program announced the move on Saturday, already making a staff move for the 2026 season. Coombs most recently spent the 2022-2024 seasons with Cincinnati, serving as the STC and cornerbacks coach.

“Coach Kerry Coombs is a proven, exceptional football coach, and we’re thrilled to welcome him to our program,” Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore said in a statement. “Kerry’s leadership of our special teams will be invaluable. His expertise in teaching and mentoring has consistently shaped both outstanding athletes and remarkable young men –including some of the nation’s top special teams players and cornerbacks. We’re proud to have Kerry, Holly, and their family join the Michigan Football family.”

Now, Michigan hiring an assistant coach is always going to be newsworthy. But Coombs’ past is why this raises a couple of extra eyebrows across the country. He spent six seasons in Columbus with the Ohio State Buckeyes, beginning in 2013, as the cornerbacks coach and special teams coordinator. A two-year break then took place in the NFL, before returning in 2020 to be the defensive coordinator.

Crossover in this kind of rivalry is not too common. Especially a coach of Coombs’ stature, holding such an important role under both Ryan Day and Urban Meyer at some point.

Joel Klatt remains positive about Michgian despite Ohio State loss

Joel Klatt didn’t sugarcoat how damaging Michigan’s 27-9 loss to Ohio State was. However, he also made it clear that the setback doesn’t have to define the Wolverines. 

On The Joel Klatt Show, he called the performance “demoralizing,” noting how starkly it contrasted with what has defined Michigan’s recent rise: “They have been built on physicality and toughness,” Klatt said. 

“They have won that game because they have been the tougher team at the line of scrimmage, and that was not the case on Saturday.” After six straight wins in the rivalry, Michigan tasted defeat again, and Klatt acknowledged the soul-searching that must now follow.

But from that same disappointment, Klatt sees possibility. He drew a parallel to Ohio State’s path two years ago, arguing that the Buckeyes’ loss to the 2023 Michigan team fueled their national championship run the following season. 

“Because of their youth, it’s an opportunity to say, that’s the measuring stick, that’s the standard,” Klatt said of Michigan. “Now they know what it takes.”

On3’s Steve Samra contributed to this report