Michigan's Football Staff Appears Set, Strong

When news broke that Jim Harbaugh had re-hired Chris Partridge, it became clear that the coaching staff was probably in a bit of a rearranging phase. Once Partridge was let go at Ole Miss, him returning to Michigan seemed like a very realistic possibility, but there was just one problem — U-M's staff was already complete. Once Harbaugh hired Kirk Campbell to replace Matt Weiss, the staff was full up with 10 assistants. Now, there appears to be room for Partridge after all.

Per Bruce Feldman, Michigan and linebackers coach George Helow are mutually parting ways, which opens the door for Partridge to slide right in and coach linebackers, which he's done at Michigan before.

SOURCE: Michigan and Wolverines LB coach George Helow have mutually agreed to part ways to pursue other opportunities. Helow who arrived in 2021, helped UM rank in the Top 15 in yards per play both YRs and developed Junior Colson into Freshman All-American and an All-Big Ten LB.
— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) February 16, 2023

Partridge coached several positions while at U-M and has always been billed as an ace recruiter. Now, he returns to Michigan with coordinator experience and even more skills on the recruiting trail. Even though Helow did a fine job while at Michigan, Partridge appears to be a pretty big upgrade. Michigan's staff is now set and appears to be one of the best in the country.

Head Coach - Jim Harbaugh

OC/Offensive line coach - Sherrone Moore*

QB - Kirk Campbell

RB - Mike Hart

WR - Ron Bellamy

TE - Grant Newsome

DC - Jesse Minter

DL - Mike Elston

LB - Chris Partridge**

Co-DC/CB - Steve Clinkscale

S/Special Teams - Jay Harbaugh

*Last year, Moore split OC duties with then-quarterbacks coach Matt Weiss, who has since been fired. It'll be interesting to see if Harbaugh tabs anyone else as co-offensive coordinator. Mike Hart is qualified there and heavily involved in the run game and new quarterbacks coach Kirk Campbell has been an offensive coordinator in the past.

**Nothing is official yet but it just makes way too much sense for Partridge to be the new linebackers coach. He's coached the position at Michigan before and with Helow on his way out, that's the position that's open now. Obviously Partridge was just a defensive coordinator at Ole Miss, but U-M already has two co-DCs in Clinkscale and Minter. It doesn't seem like Partridge will have those responsibilities, but we shall see once things are formally announced.