Jim Harbaugh, Steve Clinkscale comment on hire being made official

The Michigan Wolverines football program made the hiring of Steve Clinkscale official in a press release on Wednesday afternoon. Clinkscale joins head coach Jim Harbaugh’s staff as the defensive backs coach and passing game coordinator after Maurice Linguist departed for Buffalo.

Packed into the university release were statements from both Harbaugh and Clinkscale.

“Steve is a highly-respected and talented football coach who has developed outstanding defensive secondaries at each of his coaching stops,” Harbaugh said. “I have followed and admired Steve’s coaching for years, tried to hire him a few times, and I’m glad that it all came together where we could bring Steve to Michigan. He will be a great addition to our coaching staff, and our student-athletes will benefit from Steve’s experience and instruction. Michigan Football welcomes Steve, his fiancé Elaine and his children to the Michigan Football family and university community.”

“Coach Harbaugh and I have developed a relationship over the years and this will be a great opportunity to work together,” Clinkscale said. “I look forward to meeting our players and working with them to develop their skills on and off the field. I wish to further the tradition of excellence here at Michigan and look forward to helping make a difference in these young men’s lives. Go Blue!”

Michigan’s coaching staff is once again set and the team is now readying itself for fall camp sometime this summer. Spring practices wrapped up in April as new defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald began to install the new system.

Clinkscale’s three-year contract at Michigan includes the potential to be elevated to co-defensive coordinator in year two.

Here is more on his previous stops as detailed in Michigan’s press release:

Clinkscale’s Coaching Experience

Year School Position

2001-07 Ashland Defensive Backs

2008 Western Carolina Defensive Backs

2009-11 Toledo Special Teams Coordinator/Cornerbacks

2012 Illinois Cornerbacks

2013-14 Cincinnati Defensive Backs

2015 Cincinnati Defensive Coordinator/Defensive Backs

2016-20 Kentucky Defensive Backs

2021 Kentucky Defensive Passing Game Coordinator/Defensive Backs