Michigan Wolverines announce hiring of new defensive line coach

The Michigan Wolverines announced the hiring of a new position coach on Monday.

In a press release from the program, head coach Jim Harbaugh named alumnus Mike Elston as the team’s new defensive line coach. He comes in with 21 years of full-time experience.

“I am excited to welcome Mike Elston to an already incredibly talented staff here at the University of Michigan,” said Harbaugh. “I’ve followed Mike’s work at Notre Dame for a while and have admired his ability to not only recruit great student-athletes, but also his proven track record in developing players for the NFL. Mike is a Michigan man so he will be able to hit the ground running. Help me welcome Mike and his wife, Beth, and their three daughters, Olivia, Sophia and Isabella back home to Michigan.”

The Michigan Wolverines were able to sway Elston to Ann Arbor from Notre Dame, where he has helped the Irish appear in 11 bowl games, including two College Football Playoff semifinal appearances and one BCS National Championship game. He worked with 12 NFL draftees at Notre Dame, including five players drafted in the past three drafts (2019-21). The Irish played in a New Year’s Six Bowl Game, BCS National Championship, or the College Football Playoff four times in his 12 seasons with the program.

Elston returns to Michigan for his second stint as part of the coaching staff. A three-year letter winner for the Maize and Blue from 1993-96, Elston contributed 29 tackles over his final two seasons. He was part of teams that accumulated a 35-16 four-year record under head coaches Gary Moeller (1993-94) and Lloyd Carr (1995-95) and won postseason games in the Hall of Fame Bowl following the 1993 season and the Holiday Bowl following the 1994 season.

Jim Harbaugh on potentially leaving Michigan Wolverines for NFL

Last week, Harbaugh had a little bit of fun while fielding a question from a reporter about the rumors attaching him to a potential return to the NFL.

“It’s a little more enjoyable this year compared to the rumors last year,” the Michigan head coach said while in Houston for the Paul ‘Bear’ Bryant Award ceremony.

Harbaugh’s potential interest in leaving the college ranks for a return to the NFL have been well-publicized over the last week. There could be very genuine interest there or, as Mike Florio reports, it could be a big ploy to get Harbaugh his next big contract.

The key to scoring the big deal for Jim Harbaugh is how realistic his potential departure seems to the decision-makers for the Michigan Wolverines. Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross told reporters on Monday that he won’t be the man to take Jim Harbaugh away from Michigan. However, Florio says the two have been in discussions about a possible extension with the Wolverines. Ross is a Michigan alum and donor.