Michigan defensive coordinator expected to make return to the NFL

Mike Macdonald joined Jim Harbaugh at Michigan after time with the Baltimore Ravens. As Harbaugh looked for a transformative mind to takeover the Wolverines defense, he found one in Macdonald — through his brother John’s recommendation.

However, Macdonald’s time with Michigan will be short-lived. After a fantastic season as the Wolverines defensive coordinator, he’s headed back to the NFL to takeover the Ravens defense.

“Barring a change of heart or an 11th-hour event, Michigan defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald will return to Baltimore to be the Ravens’ defensive coordinator,” wrote Chris Balas of The Wolverine.

“Several sources have indicated Macdonald has spoken with Ravens coach John Harbaugh about an opening on his staff. Harbaugh released last year’s coordinator, Wink Martindale, in the offseason. He’s also closing in on an extension that will keep him in Baltimore through the mid-2020s.”

After joining Michigan via John Harbaugh’s recommendation, Macdonald proved more than capable at running a defense. Now, John is taking him back from Jim — and Michigan has a hole at defensive coordinator.

Additionally, Jim Harbaugh has also been thinking about a move back to the NFL. In recent weeks, his name has popped up in association with the Las Vegas Raiders. Soon, the Wolverines coaching staff may look completely different.

More on Mike Macdonald, Michigan Wolverines

Before joining Michigan, Mike Macdonald was with the Baltimore Ravens from 2014-2020. After beginning his career in Baltimore as an intern in 2014, he’s returning to become the Ravens’ defensive coordinator in 2022.

In-between, Macdonald serves numerous roles with the Ravens. After joining the franchise as an intern, he was promoted to a defensive assistant. From there, he was then the team’s defensive backs coach, and eventually their linebackers coach. Now, after one season as Michigan’s defensive coordinator, he’s being brought back to run the defense himself.

While his time at Michigan was short-lived, Macdonald made a gigantic impact on the Wolverines. In his lone season, the program won the Big Ten, defeated Ohio State and made their first College Football Playoff appearance.