What they're saying about Mike Macdonald's move back to the Baltimore Ravens

Mike Macdonald has made the leap back to the Baltimore Ravens, officially joining as the NFL franchise’s defensive coordinator on Thursday night. He accomplished great things during his one season at Michigan, but John Harbaugh made the call and grabbed his young pupil back.

Here is a sampling of what was said after the hire was made and early thoughts on where Michigan goes next.

Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh

“Mike is one of us – a Raven through and through. During his initial seven seasons with us, it was evident that his leadership, intelligence and passion would earn him the opportunity to be a defensive coordinator in the NFL.

“Mike has continuously proven himself, including when he led one of the country’s best defenses at Michigan last year. He is a proven play-caller who knows our system well. He also fully understands the standard of playing defense in Baltimore.”

Ryan Mink, BaltimoreRavens.com: Mike Macdonald Is Cast for a Harbaugh Sequel

When Jim Harbaugh was looking to turn around his Michigan defense, he sought the counsel of one of his most trusted confidants – his brother.

John Harbaugh had just the guy – a smart, passionate, young coach by the name of Mike Macdonald. He hadn’t been a coordinator or play-caller yet, but John knew Macdonald had a bright future.

Jim took John’s recommendation, bringing Macdonald to Ann Arbor and giving him the reins of a defense that was ranked among the worst in college football. In just one year, Michigan turned into one of the best. John expected Macdonald to be good – but that good!?

Can you imagine the conversation when John called Jim after the Ravens’ 2021 season ended with Baltimore ranked 25th in the league in defense? “Sooooo, I’m gonna need him back now.”

Macdonald has been cast for the Harbaugh sequel. Do the same thing you did at Michigan back “home” in Baltimore.

TheWolverine.com Podcast: Reacting to Macdonald’s departure

“It’s not ideal, obviously, but Jim Harbaugh makes pretty good hires on the defensive side of the ball, Chris Balas said on Friday’s episode. “Don Brown had his great moments here. Obviously, Ohio State not withstanding; he did not have his better games against them.

…

“I think he wanted to go back to the NFL. I don’t think he embraced recruiting, and I don’t say that in a negative way, but I think he sees himself as an NFL guy and he has a long and bright future there.

“When you’re talking about time invested between the college game and the NFL game, I’m not saying it’s not hard in an NFL job — it’s crazy hours, too — but there is an offseason. Your phone’s not ringing all the time.”

Chris Balas, The Wolverine: Inside the search for a new Michigan defensive coordinator

(Tampa Bay Buccaneers assistant) Larry Foote has never coached in college, and from what we’ve heard, he’s going to look at NFL opportunities first. Byron Leftwich, also a Tampa assistant, is still interviewing for the Jacksonville Jaguars head coaching job. He was the favorite at one point, though that’s hit a snag. Now, the New Orleans Saints have asked permission to interview him, and that could happen.

Leftwich is very high on Foote. We’ve heard he’d really like him to join him if and when he takes a head coaching gig.

Foote has always said he’d only consider Michigan as a head coach or D.C. candidate, and he’d probably listen. At the same time, we know Steve Clinkscale is going to be co-coordinator — we’ve confirmed it — so that’s another dynamic to consider. It was in his contract that he would be should the defense hit its marks.

But there’s also buzz that he never needed (or wanted, perhaps) to run the show by himself. He’ll get the title and the pay raise that comes with it, but we strongly believe it won’t just be him.

MORE ON THE DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR SEARCH HERE

Ravens Wire grades the hiring of Macdonald

The new Ravens’ defensive coordinator is just 34 years old, so he brings fresh perspective and an innovative football mind to Baltimore’s defensive unit. While his hiring technically marks the first external defensive coordinator hire in franchise history, the fact that he spent so much time with the Ravens before his one year at Michigan should benefit him in multiple ways.

Macdonald also showed that he can shape a defense and be an effective play-caller using his own strategies. He grew outside of the organization, and now returns as a more polished and experienced coach. While the NFL and college football are two different games, the success that Macdonald had at a very big college program can’t be ignored.

All in all, the hiring of Macdonald is a great one for Baltimore. The Ravens interviewed a plethora of good candidates for their defensive coordinator position, but Macdonald feels like the right choice.

Grade: A

The Athletic’s Austin Meek on defensive backs coach Steve Clinkscale as candidate

The search has to start with Clinkscale, whose work with Michigan’s secondary was a big part of the defensive turnaround. He came to Michigan last spring as the defensive passing game coordinator and defensive backs coach after five years at Kentucky. Michigan’s cornerbacks, a weak link in 2020, showed marked improvement, with DJ Turner emerging as a shutdown defender. Clinkscale is a high-energy coach who connected with the players, and his familiarity with the scheme means the Wolverines can keep building on their foundation instead of starting over.

Clinkscale’s contract called for an automatic raise and a promotion to co-defensive coordinator if the Wolverines finished in the top 25 in pass defense during the 2021 regular season. The Wolverines finished 27th, but that’s counting the 331 yards they allowed to Georgia in the Orange Bowl. Without splitting hairs, Clinkscale looks to be in line for a promotion and, at minimum, the co-defensive coordinator tag.