Michigan Football Makes Key Defensive Staff Changes

Michigan Football has officially announced a series of changes to its defensive coaching staff, marking a significant step as head coach Kyle Whittingham prepares for his first season leading the Wolverines. The university released a statement titled “Whittingham Announces Coaching Staff for the Defense and Special Teams,” confirming several new hires and retained positions across the defensive side of the program.

New Additions to the Defensive Coaching Staff

One of the most notable additions is Jernaro Gilford, who will serve as the defensive backs coach. Gilford comes to Ann Arbor after a decade at BYU, where he was the defensive passing game coordinator and coached cornerbacks. During his time with the Cougars, he helped develop multiple All-Conference players and NFL draft picks. His 2024 unit led the country with 22 interceptions and finished among the national leaders in total takeaways, contributing to BYU’s strong defense during its transition to the Big 12.

Lewis Powell has also joined the staff, tasked with overseeing defensive ends and edge players. Powell brings extensive experience from his time at Utah, where he spent the past 11 seasons with the Utes. Under his guidance, Utah’s defensive fronts were known for their strength in tackles for loss, sacks, and rushing defense, producing All-Americans and NFL draft selections. His background with both interior defensive linemen and edge defenders adds flexibility to Michigan’s defensive strategy.

Another key hire is Alex Whittingham, who moves to college football after eight seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs. He worked across multiple defensive position groups under longtime NFL coordinator Steve Spagnuolo. During his tenure, the Chiefs reached five Super Bowls and consistently ranked among the NFL’s top defenses in scoring and yards allowed. Whittingham, who previously played at Utah, has experience with linebackers, defensive line, and the secondary, bringing a versatile background to Michigan’s coaching staff.

Retained Positions and Continuity

The announcement also confirmed that Lou Esposito will remain as the defensive line coach, maintaining continuity on that part of the defense. David Denham will continue as an analyst for the defensive line, providing additional support to the coaching staff.

Special Teams Continuity

Continuity was also confirmed for the special teams unit. Kerry Coombs will remain as the special teams coordinator, and Garrett Clawson will continue as the assistant special teams coach. This stability ensures that the program can focus on other areas of development as it prepares for the upcoming season.

Looking Ahead

With the defensive staff now finalized, Michigan is turning its attention to player retention and the transfer portal as the 2026 roster takes shape. The coaching changes are expected to bring fresh energy and strategies to the program, setting the stage for a competitive season ahead.

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