Report: Michigan to hire former NFL staffer Kevin Wilkins as defensive analyst

Michigan is bringing in an experienced defensive coach with NFL experience as an analyst. The Wolverines are set to hire Kevin Wilkins as a defensive analyst, according to a report from Matt Zenitz.

Wilkins was most recently on staff as a defensive assistant with the New York Giants.

He will now work under Michigan defensive coordinator Wink Martindale. The two were previously together with the Giants, as Martindale was the defensive coordinator in New York for each of the past two seasons.

Kevin Wilkins was hired by the Giants in Feb. of 2022. He spent two seasons in New York, before being let go after this past season.

Prior to working with the Giants, Wilkins was a defensive assistant with the Baltimore Ravens. He started his NFL coaching career as a video intern for the Ravens and 2015 and worked his way up.

Wilkins attended the University of South Carolina, working as a business major. He worked as a student video assistant for five seasons.

Now he is returning back to the college game to work at Michigan. The Wolverines staff will have a much different look to it in 2024 with Jim Harbaugh now off to the NFL.

Former Michigan defensive coordinator Jesse Minter joined Harbaugh with the Los Angeles Chargers.

That move opened the door for Michigan to hire Wink Martindale as defensive coordinator. He then brought in Kevin Wilkins, who he is extremely familiar with.

Sherrone Moore responds to idea ‘the cupboard is bare’ at Michigan

The Michigan coaching staff and roster will look much different in 2024, but the Wolverines can still have a successful season.

Despite the setbacks, new Michigan head coach Sherrone Moore isn’t afraid. In fact, he believes Michigan will bounce back just like the many years prior.

“We’re just going to work,” Moore said during an appearance at the NFL Network. “We’re not going to say much. We’re just going to let the results and everything [speak for themselves] on the field. And just keep going to work.

“We’re a blue-collar type program that we’re not going to open our mouths and talk. We’re just gonna go to work and then show what we can do when it comes time in September.”

On Jan. 26, Michigan officially named Moore the program’s 21st head coach. He was the offensive coordinator for the Wolverines last season during the team’s run to a national championship.

As Michigan’s offensive coordinator in 2023, Moore directed a unit that ranked top 10 in seven offensive categories and was top 30 in 10 overall metrics.