The Michigan football program is undergoing significant changes in its coaching staff following their victory in the 2023 College Football National Championship. Head coach Jim Harbaugh departed for the NFL, joining the Los Angeles Chargers, and offensive coordinator Sherrone Moore was promoted to take his place. This led to further adjustments, with quarterbacks coach Kirk Campbell stepping up as the new offensive play caller. However, the team now faces another vacancy as their special teams coordinator, Jay Harbaugh, is expected to join the Seattle Seahawks in the same role, according to NFL insider Ari Meirov.
Contrary to expectations, Jay Harbaugh will not be reuniting with his father in Los Angeles, as the Chargers are likely to retain Ryan Ficken as their special teams coordinator. Jay Harbaugh, the son of former Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh, began his coaching journey with the San Francisco 49ers as an intern and later worked at Oregon State before joining the Ravens. He eventually followed his father to Michigan in 2015, holding various coaching positions before becoming the special teams coordinator in 2017.
With Jim Harbaugh’s departure, Michigan will be led by Sherrone Moore in the upcoming season. However, the team also faces the challenge of replacing key players on both offense and defense, including quarterback J.J. McCarthy, running back Blake Corum, and wide receiver Roman Wilson, who are all heading to the NFL. Additionally, linebacker Junior Colson and defensive tackle Kris Jenkins are projected as first-round picks in the upcoming NFL draft, while several other players are expected to be selected in later rounds or as day-two prospects.
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Four-star offensive lineman Rowan Byrne, a prospect sought after by the Michigan Wolverines, recently revisited the campus and left deeply impressed. Michigan’s head coach Sherrone Moore hosted several prospects during his inaugural recruiting weekend, including Byrne, who hails from New Rochelle (NY) Iona Prep. Although Byrne had previously visited during the Ohio State game in late November, his recent trip exceeded his expectations.
Similarly, another coveted recruit, Princeton (NJ) Hun School’s four-star defensive lineman Kole Briehler, also visited Michigan for the first time. The 6-foot-3, 270-pound Briehler was particularly impressed by the comprehensive strength and conditioning programs and the nutritional offerings during his visit.
Overall, Michigan’s recruiting efforts under Coach Moore’s leadership have garnered attention from top prospects, with Byrne and Briehler among those expressing strong interest in the program.
The LSU Tigers prioritized bolstering their wide receiver corps and secondary following a 10-win season that fell short of their lofty expectations. Head coach Brian Kelly initiated significant changes to the defensive coaching staff and roster to aim for immediate improvement in 2024. Among the notable acquisitions, LSU secured Liberty’s CJ Daniels and Mississippi State’s Zavion Thomas from the transfer portal, alongside welcoming three freshman wide receivers to Baton Rouge.
In summary, LSU’s focus on enhancing their receiving options and fortifying their defensive backfield underscores their commitment to addressing key areas of need as they strive for success in the upcoming season.
