Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh has already started looking for a new coach to replace Chris Partridge, now the D.C. at Ole Miss. Here’s the latest …
Two coaches with Michigan ties are at least going to get a look, and both would undoubtedly love the job. Former Michigan safety and NFL linebacker Cato June, who has been coaching at Howard University the last four years.
Michigan needs a good recruiter to replace Partridge, and June — recruiting coordinator at Howard in addition to his duties as a linebackers coach — would fit the bill. He started out as a running backs coach, moved to safeties and became the program's recruiting coordinator. His lack of experience could prevent him from getting the job, and he’s in the running for other jobs, as well (smaller school, including Howard).
June worked for Ron Prince, who resigned. Prince, of course, served as a Harbaugh analyst before taking the Howard job, so there are ties there.
Devin Bush Sr. … many expected him to be done at U-M after his son left for the NFL, but he’s back and working hard. He’s very respected by the players in the building, and he’s got more potential than just the ‘defensive analyst’ he is at U-M. Many believe he’d be an outstanding recruiter, as well.
Bush has played the position, has a great personality and is waiting for his shot. He’s got Florida ties, of course, and could be a great recruiter.
The guy to watch most closely at this point, however, might be Kentucky’s Steve Clinkscale. Keep in mind, the Wildcats will do everything they can to keep him. He’s had great success on the recruiting trail, including in the state of Michigan.
From Kentucky Rivals after Signing Day:
Clinkscale was already starting to be recognized as one of the top recruiters on the staff thanks to high profile commitments from players like DeAndre Square and Marquan McCall out of Michigan in the Class of 2017.
This year he took it to another level and can rightfully be called one of the SEC's up-and-coming talent hunters.
Clinkscale did a fantastic job locking down more Michigan talent, including the top-ranked player in the state, five-star defensive tackle Justin Rogers. Offering him early in his high school career, convincing him to visit many times over the years, and winning over his older friend, McCall, all had factors in his success there.
Also from Michigan, Clinkscale added four-star Independence C.C., offensive tackle Jeremy Flax who detoured to the junior college level. Auburn sold Flax aggressively on being a key contributor as a three-for-three JUCO transfer and the Tigers were surprised when he picked Kentucky after a late official visit to UK.
Offensive tackle Deondre Buford and wide receiver Earnest Sanders were two of the Top-25 players in the Wolverine State as well. Both had numerous other Power Five options. Sanders hails from Flint and Michigan State has successfully recruited the city over the years. The Spartans also had a commitment from Beecher's point guard, Jalen Terry, but Sanders picked UK in a move that surprised some in the state. Buford was coveted by Pitt, Missouri, Penn State and others, but UK locked him up as a silent commit early and kept him on board.
But that's not all. Clinkscale also recruited four-star Rivals250 defensive end Samuel Anaele, who he was recruiting for two previous years, even at a school he no longer attends.
Clinkscale was also heavily involved in the pursuit of four-star Baton Rouge, La., defensive back Joel Williams, Mauldin, S.C. and defensive back Andru Phillips.
He might be the home run hire. His bio:
Clinkscale joined the Kentucky coaching staff after serving three seasons with Cincinnati as secondary coach, including the 2015 campaign as the defensive coordinator.
In his first season with the Wildcats, Clinkscale's defensive backs combined to intercept 13 passes, with six of the DBs intercepting at least one pass. Safety Mike Edwards paced the unit with 100 tackles, three pickoffs and eight pass breakups while earning second-team All-SEC. Edwards was named SEC Co-Defensive Player of the Week after UK's win at Louisville.
In his second season, the Wildcats advanced to consecutive bowl games (TaxSlayer - 2017; Music City - 2018) for the first time in eight seasons. Clinkscale's DBs had nine of UK's interceptions in 2017, and once again, Edwards was the leading tackler. The safety led the entire defense with 97 tackles and four INTs and was named first-team All-SEC by Phil Steele's College Football.
A native of Youngstown, Ohio, Clinkscale previously spent a year as the cornerbacks coach at Illinois (2012), after a three-year run with Toledo. He also served as an assistant with Western Carolina in 2008, after opening his coaching career at his alma mater Ashland University (2001-07) in Ohio.
U-M is still battling to keep linebackers coach Anthony Campanile, as well. Rutgers has reportedly made him an offer to be co-DC in his old stomping grounds.
Watch for more in the hours to come.
Two coaches with Michigan ties are at least going to get a look, and both would undoubtedly love the job. Former Michigan safety and NFL linebacker Cato June, who has been coaching at Howard University the last four years.
Michigan needs a good recruiter to replace Partridge, and June — recruiting coordinator at Howard in addition to his duties as a linebackers coach — would fit the bill. He started out as a running backs coach, moved to safeties and became the program's recruiting coordinator. His lack of experience could prevent him from getting the job, and he’s in the running for other jobs, as well (smaller school, including Howard).
June worked for Ron Prince, who resigned. Prince, of course, served as a Harbaugh analyst before taking the Howard job, so there are ties there.
Devin Bush Sr. … many expected him to be done at U-M after his son left for the NFL, but he’s back and working hard. He’s very respected by the players in the building, and he’s got more potential than just the ‘defensive analyst’ he is at U-M. Many believe he’d be an outstanding recruiter, as well.
Bush has played the position, has a great personality and is waiting for his shot. He’s got Florida ties, of course, and could be a great recruiter.
The guy to watch most closely at this point, however, might be Kentucky’s Steve Clinkscale. Keep in mind, the Wildcats will do everything they can to keep him. He’s had great success on the recruiting trail, including in the state of Michigan.
From Kentucky Rivals after Signing Day:
Clinkscale was already starting to be recognized as one of the top recruiters on the staff thanks to high profile commitments from players like DeAndre Square and Marquan McCall out of Michigan in the Class of 2017.
This year he took it to another level and can rightfully be called one of the SEC's up-and-coming talent hunters.
Clinkscale did a fantastic job locking down more Michigan talent, including the top-ranked player in the state, five-star defensive tackle Justin Rogers. Offering him early in his high school career, convincing him to visit many times over the years, and winning over his older friend, McCall, all had factors in his success there.
Also from Michigan, Clinkscale added four-star Independence C.C., offensive tackle Jeremy Flax who detoured to the junior college level. Auburn sold Flax aggressively on being a key contributor as a three-for-three JUCO transfer and the Tigers were surprised when he picked Kentucky after a late official visit to UK.
Offensive tackle Deondre Buford and wide receiver Earnest Sanders were two of the Top-25 players in the Wolverine State as well. Both had numerous other Power Five options. Sanders hails from Flint and Michigan State has successfully recruited the city over the years. The Spartans also had a commitment from Beecher's point guard, Jalen Terry, but Sanders picked UK in a move that surprised some in the state. Buford was coveted by Pitt, Missouri, Penn State and others, but UK locked him up as a silent commit early and kept him on board.
But that's not all. Clinkscale also recruited four-star Rivals250 defensive end Samuel Anaele, who he was recruiting for two previous years, even at a school he no longer attends.
Clinkscale was also heavily involved in the pursuit of four-star Baton Rouge, La., defensive back Joel Williams, Mauldin, S.C. and defensive back Andru Phillips.
He might be the home run hire. His bio:
Clinkscale joined the Kentucky coaching staff after serving three seasons with Cincinnati as secondary coach, including the 2015 campaign as the defensive coordinator.
In his first season with the Wildcats, Clinkscale's defensive backs combined to intercept 13 passes, with six of the DBs intercepting at least one pass. Safety Mike Edwards paced the unit with 100 tackles, three pickoffs and eight pass breakups while earning second-team All-SEC. Edwards was named SEC Co-Defensive Player of the Week after UK's win at Louisville.
In his second season, the Wildcats advanced to consecutive bowl games (TaxSlayer - 2017; Music City - 2018) for the first time in eight seasons. Clinkscale's DBs had nine of UK's interceptions in 2017, and once again, Edwards was the leading tackler. The safety led the entire defense with 97 tackles and four INTs and was named first-team All-SEC by Phil Steele's College Football.
A native of Youngstown, Ohio, Clinkscale previously spent a year as the cornerbacks coach at Illinois (2012), after a three-year run with Toledo. He also served as an assistant with Western Carolina in 2008, after opening his coaching career at his alma mater Ashland University (2001-07) in Ohio.
U-M is still battling to keep linebackers coach Anthony Campanile, as well. Rutgers has reportedly made him an offer to be co-DC in his old stomping grounds.
Watch for more in the hours to come.
