Michigan announces linebackers coach Chris Partridge has been relieved of his duties

Michigan linebackers coach Chris Partridge, in his second stint with the Wolverines, has been fired, the school announced on Friday morning. No reason was given for Partridge’s firing.

In his stead, Rick Minter will serve as the interim linebackers coach. He is the father of Michigan’s current defensive coordinator, Jesse Minter.

Michigan travels to College Park, Maryland, to face Maryland in the penultimate game of the 2023 season on Saturday.

Partridge’s firing is reportedly related to the ongoing NCAA investigation into impermissible scouting. Partridge “is not alleged at this time of knowing about the advanced scouting by Stalions, but acted after the fact to cover up evidence” according to a report from Yahoo! Sports.

To date, the only staffer for Michigan football who was known to be involved is now-former staffer Connor Stalions.

Multiple reports after the firing indicated that decision to stand down from suing the Big Ten and subsequently firing Partridge are a reflection of a new tone from Michigan in regard to the NCAA investigation. NCAA investigators reportedly shared more evidence with Michigan earlier this week.

Partridge joined the Michigan staff in 2015 as director of player personnel, part of the first staff that head coach Jim Harbaugh assembled. He eventually moved into a role as special teams coach and also coached a handful of position groups.

He briefly went to Ole Miss, starting in 2020, where he eventually served as co-defensive coordinator. Partridge rejoined the Michigan staff prior to the 2023 season, serving as linebackers coach this year prior to his sudden firing.

Harbaugh will still be in tow for the road trip, despite a suspension

Harbaugh will still travel with the Michigan team to Maryland despite being suspended from actually coaching on Saturday, according to ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg. Harbaugh and Michigan on Thursday stood down and accepted the final two games of a Big Ten suspension.

That suspension doesn’t allow Harbaugh to coach on game days or be in the stadium, but it doesn’t keep him away from his team during the week. Evidently, Harbaugh plans to use every last second he can to prep his squad each week.

Harbaugh will address the team and be involved in the prep up in until game time, Rittenberg added. It’s a routine Harbaugh already went through against Penn State last week.

Then come game time, Harbaugh will be back to his hotel room to watch the action. Some have posited that he could even spend time with his brother, John Harbaugh, who’s Baltimore Ravens already played on Thursday night.

Either way, Harbaugh is trying to maximize every second he does get with his team the rest of the regular season.