Contract details released for new Michigan DL coach Mike Elston

The specifics of Mike Elston’s contract with Michigan have been released. Aaron McMann of MLive.com tweeted out the details on Wednesday.

Elston was hired to replace Shaun Nua as the defensive line coach, who left Ann Arbor to join Lincoln Riley’s staff at USC. A former Michigan linebacker, Elston returns to his alma mater after spending over a decade at Notre Dame working with Brian Kelly.

Elston’s contract is a 3-year deal as the defensive line coach. His starting salary for the 2022 season will be $600,000. He will then see a $25,000 pay bump each of the next two years, resulting in a $650,000 salary in 2024.

Just got a copy of the MOU for new #Michigan assistant Mike Elston. Three-year deal to coach the defensive line. Buyout language is standard, including a line about not owing U-M anything if "Jim Harbaugh is no longer the head football coach."

He signed it on Jan. 13. pic.twitter.com/IXW1W4Cq5Z

— Aaron McMann | MLive.com (@AaronMcMann) January 26, 2022

Elston went into coaching immediately after his playing career came to a close. He started out as a student-assistant in 1997 and then went to intern and eventually graduate assistant.

After three seasons at Michigan, Elston spent three seasons at Eastern Michigan (2001-03) and three more at Central Michigan (2004-06). He then was at Cincinnati from 2007-09 before going to Notre Dame in 2010, where he stayed through the 2021 season.