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Michigan hiring LB coach from SEC team, former U-M assistant
By Andrew Olson
Published:
Michigan is adding a familiar face to Sherrone Moore’s inaugural coaching staff. Brian Jean-Mary is leaving his post as Tennessee’s linebackers coach, according to reports from the Knoxville News Sentinel and others.
It’s a return to Ann Arbor for Jean-Mary. He served as linebackers coach on Jim Harbaugh’s staff in the 2020 season. Moore, who has succeeded Harbaugh as Michigan’s head coach, was also on staff that season as U-M’s tight ends coach.
The Wolverines hope that Jean-Mary’s return doesn’t bring 2020 vibes back to the program. In the only losing year of Harbaugh’s tenure, Michigan went 2-4 in the season impacted by COVID-19.
Jean-Mary, 48, has been in coaching for over two decades. He should give Michigan some muscle on the recruiting trail, especially in the South, as a Florida native with notable Power 5 experience.
Jean-Mary got his start at Louisville in 2000 as a graduate assistant. He also made stops at South Carolina, North Alabama and Georgia Tech before the end of the decade. Jean-Mary returned to Louisville as the assistant head coach and linebackers coach in 2010.
Following a three-year stint as Texas’ linebackers coach and recruiting coordinator, Jean-Mary returned to his home state of Florida to become USF’s assistant head coach, defensive coordinator and linebackers coach. Jean-Mary held that position for three seasons (2017-19) before going to Ann Arbor.
A former Florida beat reporter, Andrew writes for the Saturday Tradition News Desk.