Michigan Football Defensive Coordinator Candidates
Jan 3, 2015; Birmingham, AL, USA; Florida Gators interim head coach D.J. Durkin, left, meets with East Carolina Pirates head coach Ruffin McNeill after the 2015 Birmingham Bowl at Legion Field. The Florida Gators defeat the East Carolina Pirates 28-20. Mandatory Credit: Mike DiNovo-USA TODAY Sports
Michigan football will be looking for a new defensive coordinator, as D.J. Durkin moves on to become the head coach at Maryland.
No more Durkin donuts for Michigan.
D.J. Durkin is on to Maryland, and he’s leaving quite the void at defensive coordinator. Under his watch this season, the Wolverines allowed 281.3 yards per game (4th in FBS), 17.2 points per game (11th), a 25.6 percent 3rd down conversion rate (3rd), and recorded 6.8 tackles for loss per game (T-40th).
The talent was already there; Durkin extracted it. It’s a big reason Michigan was able to win games early this season when the offense hadn’t found its rhythm yet.
Other than coaching one game at Florida as an interim head coach, this will be Durkin’s first gig as the head man.
Durkin is considered to be one of the great young talents rising in the coaching ranks. He only became a defensive coordinator in 2013 with the Gators, but his amazing track record speaks for itself.
This is also a testament to Jim Harbaugh’s ability to target and develop assistants. Harbaugh has been an FBS coach for five seasons and has had six assistants become head coaches.
Durkin is going to be missed dearly in Michigan circles.
But good for him. And hey! Good for Maryland!
Here are the top candidates to replace Durkin at Michigan, in no particular order.
Next: Scott Shafer