Chiefs defensive line coach Joe Cullen considered a candidate for Michigan defensive coordinator job
Chiefs defensive line coach Joe Cullen is considered a candidate to become the defensive coordinator at Michigan, according to CBS’ Jonathan Jones. Cullen is also reportedly a candidate for a pair of NFL defensive coordinator jobs with the Seattle Seahawks and Washington Commanders.
The Wolverines are in search of a new DC after Jesse Minter left to follow Jim Harbaugh, who accepted a job as the head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers. Minter coached Michigan to rank as the No. 1 scoring defense in the country this past season as it went on to win the national championship.
Cullen has worked in the NFL for the past 14 seasons as a defensive line coach for several different teams including the Jaguars, Ravens and Buccaneers. He has spent the past two years in Kansas City, helping the team to back-to-back Super Bowl appearances.
This season the Chiefs ranked second in the NFL with 57 sacks under Cullen’s direction. However, they did give up 4.5 yards per carry to opposing running backs to rank among the worst teams in the league.
While with the Ravens from 2016-20, Cullen worked with John Harbaugh, the brother of Jim. Given that connection to the Michigan program, it makes sense how he was able to gain interest from the Wolverines.
Cullen also has experience at the college level, including the Big Ten He was previously a defensive line coach at Power 5 programs such as LSU (1999), Indiana (2002-04) and Illinois. He spent one season as the defensive coordinator for the Hoosiers in 2004.
Cullen was a four-year starting nose guard at Massachusetts from 1986-89. He was a three-time All-Yankee Conference selection and named the team’s MVP as a senior. Following his playing career, he got his start in coaching as a graduate assistant with the Minutemen.
Joe Cullen still has work to do for the time being, however, as the Chiefs are set to face the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LVIII. Kickoff for that game is set for 6:30 p.m. ET on Sunday at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
Jay Harbaugh joins Jim Harbaugh with LA Chargers
Coaching is a family business when it comes to the Harbaughs. Now, as Jim makes his return to the National Football League, he’s officially bringing his son with him.
Jay Harbaugh will be joining his father in Inglewood as a member on the staff with the Los Angeles Chargers. Reports did not specify but it is expected that he will take the role as the special teams coordinator for the franchise – the same duties that he had over the past four years at Michigan.
Harbaugh spent all nine seasons of his father’s tenure in Ann Arbor on the Wolverines’ staff. He spent most of that time working on special teams as the assistant or the coordinator for the unit. However, he also got to work with the tight ends, running backs, and, most recently, safeties.