Charlotte expected to hire Michigan associate head coach Biff Poggi as new head coach

Charlotte is preparing to name its new head coach — and it’s turning to the Big Ten. Michigan associate head coach Biff Poggi is expected to take over the program, On3’s Matt Zenitz reported.

Poggi returned to Michigan in 2021 after serving as the head coach at Saint Frances Academy in Maryland. A longtime high school coach in Maryland, he previously worked at Michigan as the associate head coach in 2016 when he headed back to the high school levels and has been seen as a key assistant under Jim Harbaugh.

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Charlotte fired Will Healy earlier this year after a 1-7 start to the season. Peter Rossomando took over in the interim as the 49ers looked for a full-time replacement, and it appears they found their guy in Poggi.

Jim Harbaugh assesses how Michigan defense has performed compared to expectations

During his time at Michigan, head coach Jim Harbaugh has had consistently great defenses. Then, thanks to the pass rush, the 2021 Michigan defense was strong enough to help bring the Wolverines to the College Football Playoff.

However, thanks to players graduating and moving on to the NFL, there was some thought that Michigan would regress. But that hasn’t really happened to this point.

While speaking to the media, Harbaugh was asked about how he thinks his defense has performed compared to the expectations for them.

“We didn’t really put a limit on the expectations,” Harbaugh said. “We thought that our defense could be really good. Had the license and the ability to be an outstanding defense.

“At the time, I said that [it is] called the no-name defense. In some ways, there were guys at each position who were competing to make a name for themselves, and I think that’s transpired. Playing great team defense. Each position group is really playing outstanding and they’re playing outstanding together.”