Report: Michigan hires co-defensive coordinator to pair with Mike Macdonald

The Michigan Wolverines hired defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald officially earlier this week, but head coach Jim Harbaugh is giving him help in the form of a right-hand man, as well. According to Pete Thamel of Yahoo! Sports, the Wolverines have hired Dallas Cowboys defensive backs coach Maurice Linguist to be the team’s co-defensive coordinator.

Linguist, 36, has experience in college having coached at Texas A&M, Minnesota, Mississippi State, and Iowa State. He was also considered for South Alabama’s head coaching position during this past hiring cycle.

Linguist has an impressive track record as a recruiter and was considered a top-20 assistant there during his last season at Texas A&M in 2018. As pointed out by Orion Sang of the Detroit Free Press, he was a big factor in the recruitments of six top-100 players with the Aggies and also helped bring star wide receiver Rashod Bateman to Minnesota.

Here is how he describes his coaching philosophy:

While speaking with the media, Linguist said he will spend the majority of his time with the safeties and slot corners. Former cornerback, Al Harris will work with the cornerbacks.

“Ballhawks,” Linguist replied when asked the type of safeties he wants. “If you are looking at an elite defensive player, you want somebody who can be aggressive to the ball and go make plays on the ball.”

It stands to reason that Linguist will fill the role left behind by Mike Zordich and coach the cornerbacks. As it stands now, Michigan has Macdonald, Linguist, and safeties coach George Helow tabbed to lead the defensive overhaul. We are still waiting on word for guys like defensive line coach Shaun Nua and linebackers coach Brian Jean-Mary. Previous reports had linked Florida assistant Christian Robinson to a spot, though it seems he will remain at Florida.