Jim Harbaugh continues to work to build his staff for the 2021 season, but one of his reported hires is still up in the air. Multiple rumors from last week suggested that Florida linebackers coach Christian Robinson would be joining Michigan’s staff, though it now appears that is far from official.
FootballScoop — who originally reported the Robinson hire — said that despite offers being made, Dan Mullen was working to retain one of his top assistants.
Late Saturday night, sources informed FootballScoop that MacDonald and Robinson had agreed to join the Michigan staff, formal offers were transmitted … all that remained was collecting signatures.
Michigan formally announced the addition of MacDonald Sunday afternoon.
In the meantime, sources on Sunday told FootballScoop that Gators’ head coach Dan Mullen reached out to Robinson to attempt to retain his linebackers coach. Sources with direct knowledge said Mullen and the Gators countered Michigan’s offer to Robinson, with the Gators offering to elevate Robinson’s pay.
One would assume that this gets ironed out sooner rather than later, especially now that Michigan officially has Mike Macdonald on board as the defensive coordinator.
Robinson — who was with the Georgia Bulldogs as a player during MacDonald’s time there as a grad assistant — has been the linebackers coach at Florida for the past three seasons. Before that, he spent time at Mississippi State (2017), Ole Miss (2015-16), and Georgia (2013-14) as a grad assistant.
We will have to wait and see what happens, but there is at least some notable pause in the process as the Wolverines work to get this hire done.