Breaking News: Apparently, Mike Elston planned to head to the NFL from Michigan football…
After the program wins a national championship in 2023, Michigan defensive line coach Mike Elston will leave to join several other coaches in the NFL, according to a report from Tom Pelissero of the NFL Network.
Pelissero wrote on Tuesday night, “Michigan DL coach Mike Elston is expected to take the same job with the #Chargers, per source.” “Elston, who oversaw the Notre Dame program from 2010 to 2021, was a key player in the Wolverines’ victories during the previous two seasons. He now goes to Los Angeles with Jim Harbaugh.”
The revelation will make Sherrone Moore’s offseason more challenging as he assumes the helm following a national championship-winning season. Jesse Minter’s departure for the NFL has left the Wolverines with an extra coaching opening on their defensive staff.
The Chargers’ interest in Elston was initially revealed by Sam Webb of The Michigan Insider in his “Real Recognize Real” post on Monday, February 5.
Prior to the 2022 campaign, Elston was brought in to coach the defensive line, and he assisted in making it one of the best in the country. In his first season at Michigan, he worked with Mike Morris, the 2022 Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year, and turned Mazi Smith into a first-round pick in the NFL Draft.
In 2023, the defensive line advanced further, especially the interior, where Elston concentrated. The defensive line of the Michigan Wolverines, led by Kris Jenkins, Mason Graham, and Kenneth Grant, dominated both the Rose Bowl and the 2024 CFP National Championship Game.
Early in the 2023 season, Elston declared, “This is as good of a front that I’ve had the privilege of coaching, without a question.” “It’s an amazing front seven from beginning to end, including that second level.”
Elston attended Michigan from the mid-1990s to the end of the 1997 championship season, where he served as a student assistant coach in Ann Arbor. His coaching career has kept him in the Midwest; he spent more than ten years in South Bend before moving on to Eastern Michigan, Central Michigan, and Cincinnati.
Elston was hired by Jim Harbaugh from Notre Dame in 2022. In addition to his duties on the defensive line, he was also the recruiting coordinator at Michigan.
Elston stated early in his time at Michigan what he expected his defensive lines to be like: “They’re going to be physical.” For the run, there will be excellent block construction. When the ball is thrown or ran, you should expect to see a vertical, swift, and aggressive pass rush as well as excellent effort and attitude toward the football. With a lot of work, the physically will be the best. You will witness us taking off for the ball. Eleven of those winged helmets will be visible, four of them up front and occasionally five of the defensive linemen who will be flying with tremendous effort and attitude to the football. Additionally, pass rush. We must be capable of doing that at each of the four places.
Ever since Jim Harbaugh left to join the NFL, the Wolverines have had a large turnover in their staff.
Moore elevated Grant Newsome from tight ends coach to offensive line coach and Kirk Campbell from quarterbacks coach to offensive coordinator. J.B. Brown, an analyst, was promoted to special teams coordinator, taking over for Jay Harbaugh, who is anticipated to join the Seattle Seahawks.
Moore has to take Elston’s place on the defensive end of the ball, along with defensive coordinator Jesse Minter and linebackers coach Chris Partridge.
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