Mike Elston pins farewell to Michigan football

Jim Harbaugh has been carefully crafting his coaching cabinet for his new coaching home with the Los Angeles Chargers. One of the individuals he recently brought on assisted him in erecting the suffocating defense, which helped lead Michigan to a national championship in the 2023 season — defensive line coach Mike Elston.

Elston was one of a handful of coaches to follow Harbaugh from the collegiate level to the NFL ranks. However, amid his transition to the Chargers, the former Wolverines defensive line coach took a moment to give thanks and bid farewell to the program.

“It was an absolute honor returning to Michigan and working with the finest young men in the country,” opened Elston on X. “We accomplished so much together and our paths will cross again. Thank you for everything. Love all you boys!!”

Elston also attached a photo to the post with this year’s offensive line unit in the locker room following their 34-13 national championship victory over the Washington Huskies.

On the afternoon of February 6, According to NFL insider Tom Pelissero, Los Angeles hired the former Michigan defensive line coach. With the Chargers, Elston is expected to fulfill the same role as he did with the Wolverines.

The former Michigan defensive line coach spent the last two seasons under Harbaugh and was a pivotal piece to their dominant defensive success, which resulted in the team finishing the 2023 season as undefeated national champions.

Prior to joining Harbaugh’s Wolverine staff, Elston spent 12 seasons with the Notre Dame Fighting Irish under then-head coach Brian Kelly. With the Irish, Elson held a number of coaching positions, starting with defensive line coach in 2010 and, by the end of his tenure there, in 2021, assistant head coach.

Warde Manuel addresses Jim Harbaugh poaching Michigan assistants

Athletic director Warde Manuel recently addressed the poaching that Jim Harbaugh has done to this point, spinning the positive side of things for new head coach Sherrone Moore.

“It gives Sherrone an opportunity to rebuild the staff particularly on the defensive side in the way that he wants,” Warde Manuel said. “I feel good about the people that he is bringing on.”

Last season, Michigan had one of the best defenses in the country, which was a big reason why the Wolverines were able to win a national championship. That defense was so good that it finished the season with the best total defense in the country and the top scoring defense in the country, allowing just 247 yards per game and 10.4 points per game respectively.

To this point, Jim Harbaugh has brought secondary coach Steve Clinkscale, defensive line coach Mike Elston, and defensive coordinator Jesse Minter with him to Los Angeles. Special teams coordinator Jay Harbaugh also left for the NFL, with Sherrone Moore bringing in Wink Martindale to be Michigan’s next defensive coordinator.