Michigan is currently in the process of searching for its next defensive line coach after Shaun Nua departed for USC.
One name that intrigued me was current Notre Dame defensive line coach, recruiting coordinator and run game coordinator Mike Elston.
While I can confirm that Jim Harbaugh and Elston have had contact, I do not believe he’s interviewed in any official capacity. The meeting between the two parties was to see whether Elston would be interested in the position, a lunch meeting of sorts. A source close to the situation suggest that Harbaugh and Elston talk a lot during the off-season to begin with, so a discussion between the two is not surprising. There is certainly mutual interest between the two parties but, from what I understand, there will need to be some stipulations before Elston would even consider leaving Notre Dame
- Would need an increase in salary
- Job titles would need to be close to what he has now in South Bend
Fair demands by any means but, in my opinion, there might be too many cooks in the defensive coaching kitchen at Michigan. Which is why I believe, including the opinion of my source, that other coaching departures would have to happen before an official courtship of Elston can begin. At this time, I am not expecting anything imminent to happen to other members of the defensive coach staff.
At any rate, Elston could certainly be tempted to jump ship if the right situation arises with the Wolverines despite his love for Notre Dame. He was fiercely loyal to Brian Kelly and he, like many within the Irish program, felt betrayed by his departure.
We’ll continue to dig about where things stand with the DL coach position moving forward.
One name that intrigued me was current Notre Dame defensive line coach, recruiting coordinator and run game coordinator Mike Elston.
While I can confirm that Jim Harbaugh and Elston have had contact, I do not believe he’s interviewed in any official capacity. The meeting between the two parties was to see whether Elston would be interested in the position, a lunch meeting of sorts. A source close to the situation suggest that Harbaugh and Elston talk a lot during the off-season to begin with, so a discussion between the two is not surprising. There is certainly mutual interest between the two parties but, from what I understand, there will need to be some stipulations before Elston would even consider leaving Notre Dame
- Would need an increase in salary
- Job titles would need to be close to what he has now in South Bend
Fair demands by any means but, in my opinion, there might be too many cooks in the defensive coaching kitchen at Michigan. Which is why I believe, including the opinion of my source, that other coaching departures would have to happen before an official courtship of Elston can begin. At this time, I am not expecting anything imminent to happen to other members of the defensive coach staff.
At any rate, Elston could certainly be tempted to jump ship if the right situation arises with the Wolverines despite his love for Notre Dame. He was fiercely loyal to Brian Kelly and he, like many within the Irish program, felt betrayed by his departure.
We’ll continue to dig about where things stand with the DL coach position moving forward.
