In a huge blow, Michigan football loses Ben Herbert to the Chargers

It was a blow when Michigan football lost defensive coordinator Jesse Minter to the Los Angeles Chargers, but it was always expected.

However, that pales in comparison to the blow struck against the Michigan football program on Monday morning as strength coach Ben Herbert, despite giving indications to Sherrone Moore that he would stay, is leaving to join Jim Harbaugh with the Chargers according to Angelique Chengelis.

It's a move that's curious in a few ways. For one, strength coaches don't seem to matter that much in the NFL. Players use their own trainers and frankly, it's hard to see Herbert having the impact he did with Michigan football.

NFL players aren't into the rah-rah stuff and if Herbert uses many of the same tactics he used at Michigan, I'm not sure it will go over well, although he's certainly capable of adapting.

Maybe Herbert is going to be the assistant head coach or something. Jim Harbaugh does seem to need a right-hand man and Herbert is certainly that. But if he really is going just to be the strength and conditioning coach, well, I'll call it curious. Either way, it's a huge blow for Michigan football, which has been the pillar of development in college football. That doesn't happen without Herbert.

Sherrone Moore is expected to promote Justin Tress, who served as the assistant to Herbert. We'll see what the fallout is, but there's no doubt that Herbert was an essential part of the culture and development, and in terms of departures, this stings as much as any this offseason.