ITF EXTRA: How long can Michigan hold on to Mike Macdonald?
Michigan football head coach Jim Harbaugh has assembled an outstanding young staff including Mike Macdonald, one that helped turn the program around after a tough 2020 season. Harbaugh went in a different direction with his coaches after a 2-4 record — granted, a season affected by COVID opt-outs and injuries — made it necessary.
All proven to be outstanding hires. Secondary coaches Steve Clinkscale and Ronald Bellamy are outstanding coaches and teachers. Quarterbacks coach Matt Weiss did a tremendous job with Cade McNamara and J.J. McCarthy, and George Helow with the linebackers.
Defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald, though, was the gem. Though caught off guard by Michigan State’s tempo and being outclassed (personnel wise) against Georgia, Macdonald was outstanding much of the year. He helped the Wolverines rebound from one a miserable 2020 campaign into one of the Big Ten’s best in 2021.
Michigan finished the season eighth nationally in scoring defense, allowing 17.4 points per game. They were 20th in total defense (330.9) and 11th in red zone touchdowns allowed (45.71 percent).
“The greatest impact he’s had on our team is that he’s really smart, a really good teacher, brings a lot of energy and brings a lot of intelligence,” Harbaugh said in December. “He’s a great communicator … all those things.
“Guys love playing for him. They’re really stimulated by all the football situations, by all the football knowledge. I see our guys really into it, and it’s been that way since day one. One other thing I would say about Mike, too … the thing that makes him really, really great is he is a team guy. He is all about the team, all about complementary football and all about any situation that comes up. Whatever is best for the team.”
Which is why he’s going to be in demand — and frankly, already is. Sources have confirmed Macdonald is being pursued by other programs (NFL teams will be interested, too, if they’re not already).
Another source brought up Georgia, where Macdonald got his start. It’s the school he attended, the program that gave him his first real job and of which he has fond memories.
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“Those were great days, man,” he said before the Orange Bowl. “Just learning from Coach (Mark) Richt and Coach (Todd) Grantham and Coach (Mike) Bobo and really just what makes an organization tick. How does it go?
“Just being in on the ground floor, doing anything you can to help the team win was really valuable. They’re great people in that building, and it was great, great experience for us.”
Macdonald went to the Ravens from there and got his start under the Harbaughs, John and Jay. Jim’s son Jay, in fact, gave him his start in the intern program he created under his uncle.
But Jim, of course, gave Macdonald his first defensive coordinator job. So, yeah … there’s going to be some loyalty there.
But will it go beyond a year or two? Harbaugh, of course, is flirting with the NFL, too. While it appears he’s staying, nobody knows how he’d react should the Las Vegas Raiders throw a ton of money at him. As a result, that Macdonald and the rest of the staff are essentially in wait and see mode, too.
Here’s more of what we’ve picked up today on Macdonald and others … ITF EXTRA: How long can Michigan hang on to Mike Macdonald?
