Michigan fans, media react to reported coaching staff departures
Michigan is in store for a new look on the coaching staff next season.
Already, fans know Sherrone Moore is succeeding Jim Harbaugh as the new head coach of the Wolverines. The program confirmed late last week that the offensive coordinator and longtime assistant to Harbaugh will lead the program following Harbaugh’s departure to the Los Angeles Chargers.
Now, fans are bracing for what to expect from a new coaching staff under Moore. According to reports, prominent defensive coordinator Jesse Minter and head of strength and conditioning Ben Herbert will follow Harbaugh to the NFL. There are also reports that special teams coordinator Jay Harbaugh could also follow his father to the Chargers.
Some departures from the coaching staff were always expected if Harbaugh ultimately left. However, the rate of assistant coaches leaving Ann Arbor is starting to become concerning, at least for some UM fans and members of the media.
Moore always looked ready to assume a head coaching position. However, he now faces the tall task of rebuilding a coaching staff that could potentially lose even more assistants in the wake of Harbaugh’s move.
Either way, the reported departures have stirred a reaction on social media:
With Jesse Minter and Ben Herbert leaving for the Chargers, the Sherrone Moore continuity hire makes no sense. Michigan absolutely should have done a national search.
— Kyle Rowland (@KyleRowland) January 29, 2024
Jesse Minter gone
Jay Harbaugh gone
Ben Herbert gone
Mike Hart might be gone?Jim Harbaugh leaving was fine. He won it all and wants to win it all in the NFL.
Poaching the Michigan staff this much doesn’t seem fine and honestly Warde is turning into the fall guy.
Jim Harbaugh… pic.twitter.com/ndF9zvtsYo
— The Big Ten Huddle 🎙️ (@TheBigTenHuddle) January 29, 2024
@CoachJim4UM @CoachBenHerbert@Coach_Minter @JayHarbaugh
I love you but I don’t have to like you right now. pic.twitter.com/gUa7aLPXBP
— M Fan (@The_M_Fan) January 29, 2024
Jim Harbaugh is taking DC Jesse Minter and Director of Strength and Conditioning Ben Herbert to LA with him.
Sherrone Moore has his work cut out for him in replacing those two. pic.twitter.com/k0k7IWmO2Z
— Unnecessary Roughness (@UnnecRoughness) January 29, 2024
We lost BEN HERBERT?!
I could handle losing Jim. Losing Jesse stung.
But not Ben. NOT BEN!
Pack it up, Warde. It’s over. pic.twitter.com/JQhNwSZ6Ak
— 〽️ichelle 🌹 (@Michellek4040) January 29, 2024
Brutal: Michigan Director of Strength and Conditioning Ben Herbert leaving to join Jim Harbaugh and the LA Chargers
Huge loss. pic.twitter.com/TPPVeEVJts
— James T. Yoder (@JamesYoder) January 29, 2024
If Ben Herbert is not retained, Warde Manuel should be fired immediately. Do not let him do any more damage. And especially don’t have him here to decide what to do with Juwan and/or his successor.
— MichiganPodcast (@MichiganPodcast) January 29, 2024
Just days ago, it seemed very likely that Michigan was going to retain Ben Herbert. With four years remaining on his contract, Herbert was already one of the highest paid SC&C coaches in CFB.
Now, he will likely become one of the highest paid SC&C in the NFL.
Huge for Chargers https://t.co/Nkud1fwklU
— Jake Hefner (@JakeTHefner) January 29, 2024
Jim Harbaugh gone.
Jesse Minter gone.
Ben Herbert gone.That’s really tough news to digest. I have faith in Sherrone Moore’s abilities but those are some really big shoes to fill.
— Wolverine Chronicle (@WolverineChron) January 29, 2024
Jim Harbaugh made a lot of great coaching hires during his tenure at Michigan. But he publicly dubbed Ben Herbert as his best one, and even tried to get Herbert nominated for the Broyles Award (usually given to the best assistant coach in CFB). This is a HUGE deal for the…
— Steven Haglund (@StevenIHaglund) January 29, 2024
S & C coach Ben Herbert going to the Chargers. Just a brutal loss for Michigan.
— Blueblitz (@MedicareAdvice1) January 29, 2024
You won’t find any optimism from me for this one.
Ben Herbert leaving sucks.
— 〽️att Hartwell (@MaizeCrusader) January 29, 2024