Michigan Wolverines news: Interesting Michigan football rumors, hockey sweep and more

In our latest Michigan Wolverines news roundup, we look at the latest Michigan football coaching staff rumors, a sweep by hockey, and more. 

We know that Michigan football head coach Jim Harbaugh is going to be back with the Wolverines, at least that’s the expectation after Sean Payton was hired in Denver this week.

Everyone will probably feel better about things once Harbaugh signs a new deal with Michigan football with a larger buyout. But Jim is who he is.

He’s the guy who saved Michigan football. Therefore, he should get some benefit of the doubt and as of right now, he’s certainly preparing for the 2023 season. It even sounds like the Michigan Wolverines could be adding a new assistant coach.

You had to wonder when Chris Partridge was let go at Ole Miss if he would find his way back to Michigan football and according to a report from Sam Webb of The Michigan Insider, it sounds like a reunion is in the works between Partridge and the Wolverines.

Whether Partridge returned as an analyst or as a defensive assistant seems like the biggest question. Of course, for him to be an on-field assistant, someone would need to depart. George Helow, the linebackers coach, has been talked about a couple of times this offseason.

Maybe he’s got another job lined up, or maybe Partridge is coming to Ann Arbor in an off-field capacity — he was always a great recruiter and has deep ties to New Jersey — so either way, it sounds like the assistant coach hires aren’t done for the Michigan Wolverines.

Michigan Wolverines sweep Wisconsin in hockey

The Wolverines won their fifth straight game on the ice thanks to a 7-4 win over the Wisconsin Badgers on Saturday night in Ann Arbor.

Michigan hockey scored five goals in the opening period, including each of the first three.  Eric Ciccolini scored the second and third goals in his first multi-goal game for the Michigan Wolverines. TJ Hughes also added a goal and had four points total. Erik Portillo notched 27 saves and surrendered four goals, with two in the first and third periods.

With the victory, Michigan hockey improved to 10-8 in the Big Ten. The Wolverines are now 18-9-1 overall on the season and will face Michigan State next Friday and Saturday.

More Michigan Wolverines news

• Three Michigan football players took part in the Senior Bowl on Saturday and Ronnie Bell did his part by hauling in a reception for 20 yards. Bell, Ryan Hayes, and Olu Oluwatimi all seem to have acquitted themselves well this week in their efforts to improve their NFL draft stock.
• Sunday is a big day for both Michigan basketball teams. The men’s team will host Ohio State in a must-win game. The Wolverines just beat Northwestern and have three straight (winnable) home games starting with OSU.
• The women’s basketball team has won two games in a row and beat a pretty solid Illinois team by 17 on Thursday. They will travel to East Lansing for their own rivalry game against the Spartans. Tip-off is set for 3 ET on BTN plus.