Michigan formally announces hire of John Baxter as special teams coordinator

ANN ARBOR -- Michigan's coaching staff officially grew by one on Friday.

Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh and the football program formally announced that John Baxter will be the Wolverines' special teams coordinator.

"John Baxter has long been considered one of the premier special teams coordinators in the country and I am thrilled to have him on our staff," said Harbaugh in a statement. "His special teams units have consistently been a force to be reckoned with. In addition to his success on the field, I am confident that John's innovative 'Academic Gameplan' will be a great resource to our young men in the classroom."

Baxter has 32 seasons of coaching experience that includes stops at Arizona, Maryland, Tulane, Fresno State and USC that includes coaching special teams and various other positions throughout his career. Most recently, Baxter served as USC's special teams coordinator from 2010-2012 and was given tight end coaching duties in 2013.

"To have an opportunity to coach at this school with this head coach, at this time, might be the greatest opportunity in all of football today," Baxter said in a statement. "I am really excited to learn about our players and to answer the challenge that Big Ten football presents in terms of competitive excellence and special teams."