Details emerge on Mike Elston Michigan contract

Mike Elston was recently hired as the new Michigan Wolverines defensive line coach, despite rumors swirling about Jim Harbaugh eventually making a move to the NFL.

According to an article published by the Detroit Free Press, Elston signed a contract with a memorandum of understanding when the deal was reached on Jan. 13, offering him job security if Harbaugh does in fact leave.

As the Detroit Free Press notes, The Wolverines’ new defensive line coach agreed to a three-year, $1.875 million deal. His base salary in 2022 is $600,000 and will increase by $25,000 each subsequent year. The impending contract, which is expected to be finalized by April 12, will expire in January 2025.

Elston, a Michigan outside linebacker in the mid-1990s, was appointed to replace Shaun Nua after he left for the same position at USC. Elston spent the past 12 seasons at Notre Dame working on Brian Kelly’s defensive staff. He began his coaching career in Ann Arbor, where he was a video intern and graduate assistant at U-M.

Michigan announces hiring of Mike Elston

The Michigan Wolverines announced the hiring of a new position coach on Monday.

In a press release from the program, head coach Jim Harbaugh named alumnus Mike Elston as the team’s new defensive line coach. He comes in with 21 years of full-time experience.

“I am excited to welcome Mike Elston to an already incredibly talented staff here at the University of Michigan,” said Harbaugh. “I’ve followed Mike’s work at Notre Dame for a while and have admired his ability to not only recruit great student-athletes, but also his proven track record in developing players for the NFL. Mike is a Michigan man so he will be able to hit the ground running. Help me welcome Mike and his wife, Beth, and their three daughters, Olivia, Sophia and Isabella back home to Michigan.”

The Michigan Wolverines were able to sway Mike Elston to Ann Arbor from Notre Dame, where he has helped the Irish appear in 11 bowl games, including two College Football Playoff semifinal appearances and one BCS National Championship game. He worked with 12 NFL draftees at Notre Dame, including five players drafted in the past three drafts (2019-21). The Irish played in a New Year’s Six Bowl Game, BCS National Championship, or the College Football Playoff four times in his 12 seasons with the program.

Elston returns to Michigan for his second stint as part of the coaching staff. A three-year letter winner for the Maize and Blue from 1993-96, Elston contributed 29 tackles over his final two seasons. He was part of teams that accumulated a 35-16 four-year record under head coaches Gary Moeller (1993-94) and Lloyd Carr (1995-95) and won postseason games in the Hall of Fame Bowl following the 1993 season and the Holiday Bowl following the 1994 season.