Michigan football: Grading the Wolverines’ defensive coaching staff through 4 games

Michigan’s defense has pieces, but it has yet to put them all together. Reliant upon a run-heavy offense to carry the load, the Wolverines have leaned on Blake Corum and Hassan Haskins to facilitate most of the offense, a sort of ball-possession Band-Aid until the D-line, linebackers and secondary can get their ducks in a row.

Entering this week, the Wolverines had the No. 34-ranked total defense among FBS programs, allowing 304.8 yards per game. Nobody has hung massive numbers on UM through 4 games. Only one running back has eclipsed the 100-yard mark, Rutgers’ Isaih Pacheco, and the Wolverines haven’t been lit up by any QBs thus far — so things look halfway decent as they prepare to take on Wisconsin this Saturday in Madison.

Mike Macdonald, defensive coordinator: A

Prior to joining Michigan, Macdonald spent 6 seasons with the Baltimore Ravens — coached by John Harbaugh, older brother of UM coach Jim Harbaugh — and worked with some of the top defenders in the NFL.

He just turned 34 back in June, a factor that the other staff members and players love about him: He’s young and energetic, easily connecting with personnel and bringing a fresh approach to a defense that was in need of a makeover. Granted, Don Brown did a good job with the Wolverines — having them ranked in the top 10 nationally 4 times — but an overhaul was in order for a defense that routinely gave up too many points and yards during big games (Ohio State, for example).

Michigan is giving up 15.6 points per game through the first 4 weeks. Only Western Michigan and Rutgers have scored more than 10 points against the Wolverines, who’ve allowed only 5 TDs this season. We’ve seen this type of performance with past defenses, so it’s a question of sustainability.

There are questions, as a whole, about the Wolverines’ defense: D-line depth, and consistency in the secondary, immediately come to mind. Macdonald doesn’t have a body of work at UM to measure against, but an early mark of “A” is fair.

Shaun Nua, defensive linemen: B+

At 40, Nua is a young coach who connects well with players. He has NFL experience (Pittsburgh Steelers) and a respectable track record. In his first year since coming over from Arizona State, Nua finds himself trying to replicate Michigan’s recent success along the D-line, which has featured so many talented players during the Harbaugh era that it’s almost ridiculous.

Seriously.

Rashan Gary, Taco Charlton, Chris Wormley, Chase Winovich and Mo Hurst — the names just go on forever.

This year, the Wolverines are led by DE Aidan Hutchinson, who’ll likely be an All-America selection and is currently No. 2 in the nation with 5.5 sacks.

Depth has been an early concern. The Wolverines haven’t seen too much from their 2s up until now, so waiting around to see who does what is probably the most logical approach. Mazi Smith, Chris Hinton, Donovan Jeter/Kris Jenkins need to continue working together in order to complete the puzzle.

Talent is there. No question.

However, the rest need to catch up to Hutchinson, whose performance alone is enough to throw a nice grade to Nua.

George Helow, linebackers: B+

Without Josh Ross, Michigan would be lost on defense. He doesn’t get the credit he deserves. Perhaps one of the most underappreciated Wolverines within the past few years, Ross is an anchor on defense and leads the team with 5 QBH (hurries/hits). He also leads UM with 29 tackles.

Freshman Junior Colson is already making an impact, coming up with a huge fumble recovery late in the fourth to seal UM’s narrow 20-13 win Saturday over Rutgers. He’s on his way up the charts and should be a fixture for the next 3 years.

Junior David Ojabo is relatively new to the game of football, learning to play in high school — and that was after moving from Scotland in 2007, so he obviously didn’t grow up with the game like kids in America. A quick study, Ojabo looks the part and has contributed 6 tackles this season.

Helow’s unit looks like it’s steadily improving, other than a slight stumble (along with the D-line) against Rutgers — but the LB coach gets a B+ for his effort through 4 games.

Steve Clinkscale, cornerbacks: B

Clinkscale is also UM’s passing game coordinator on offense, and those grades were covered already (offensive coaches grades), so the focus will be on his work on defense now. Michigan hasn’t been torn up through the air, but the corners have had issues — issues that have lingered for the past 2 or 3 seasons.

Gemon Green snagged a pick against NIU, Michigan’s only interception of the season. Vincent Gray had his best game against NIU. DJ Turner has entered the mix and figures to be a key contributor at the corner spot as well.

Through 4 games, they’ve bent but haven’t broken — so Clinkscale gets a solid “B.”

Ron Bellamy, safeties: B

With Daxton Hill, Michigan has one of the most athletic safeties in the Big Ten. He’s quick to hunt down his prey and strikes hard. He’ll play on Sundays. Behind LB Josh Ross’ 29 tackles, Hill has the second-most stops with 18 — the most among any player in the secondary.

Brad Hawkins brings leadership and experience, along with 13 tackles — 4 fewer than RJ Moten, who is also seeing significant reps at the safety position.

Behind depth in the D-line, depth in the secondary is a minor concern. Four games isn’t enough to really know what Michigan will have this season, but after the first month of football, things look at least manageable.

Jay Harbaugh, special teams: A-

Michigan’s special teams have been on-the-money this year. Other than a missed field goal by Jake Moody against Rutgers, the kicking game has been steady. Michigan hasn’t punted much, just 11 times, but Brad Robbins continues to do a suitable job, averaging 43.1 yards.

Michigan ranks No. 14 in team punt return production, averaging 17.1 yards per return. Blake Corum and AJ Henning have supplied fireworks on returns, and the Wolverines haven’t given up any disastrous plays on punt defense or kickoff defense, so a grade of “A-” is warranted for Jay Harbaugh.

Adam Biggers

Adam Biggers brings his expertise on the Michigan beat to Saturday Tradition. Follow him on Twitter @AdamBiggers81.