“Wolverines Stunned as Defensive Mastermind Leaves for Chargers – What Led to This Jaw-Dropping Reunion?”…

Michigan football loses top recruiter, DB coach Steve Clinkscale, to Chargers Tony GarciaDetroit Free PressThe coaching exodus in Michigan football continues.Steve Clinkscale, Wolverines defensive backs coach and defensive passing game coordinator, is joining Jim Harbaugh’s staff at the Los Angeles Chargers, a source familiar with the matter told the Free Press.Clinkscale, 46, will assume the same role in Los Angeles and is expected to inform the players of his decision on Saturday.He joins Harbaugh, defensive coordinator Jesse Minter, defensive line coach Mike Elston and strength and conditioning coach Ben Herbert as the fifth member of last year’s staff to head to Los Angeles. Special teams coordinator Jay Harbaugh also left the NFL, although he will join former Michigan defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald’s staff in Seattle.This news comes after reports surfaced Friday that the Wolverines are expected to name Don “Wink” Martindale as their next defensive coordinator. Clinkscale spent the last three seasons with the Wolverines and was named co-defensive coordinator after his first season. UM’s defense ranked in the top 30 in the nation in pass defense and top 20 in pass defense efficiency in each of his three seasons. That included 2023, when Michigan led the nation in scoring defense and ranked second in yards allowed.Michigan went 40-3 during his tenure with three wins over Ohio State, three Big Ten championships, three College Football Playoff appearances and one national championship.Clinkscale has coached two NFL draft picks, first-rounder Daxton Hill and second-rounder DJ Turner. Mike Sainristil and Josh Wallace are expected to follow suit this season, as will, likely, Will Johnson, Rod Moore and Makari Paige after the 2024 season. Clinkscale, a native of Youngstown, Ohio, is a loss in several ways, but especially in recruiting.