Michigan safeties coach leaving to become defensive coordinator at Rice

Michigan safeties coach Brian Smith has accepted as position as defensive coordinator at Rice University, according to reports.

Earlier this week, The Michigan Insider first reported that Smith would be leaving Ann Arbor after two seasons. He is joining new head coach Mike Bloomgren in Houston. ESPN reporter Ivan Maisel confirmed the move on Friday.

New Rice head coach Mike Bloomgren is hiring Michigan secondary coach Brian Smith as his defensive coordinator and North Carolina Central head coach Jerry Mack (31-15, four seasons, three MEAC titles) to run the Owls' offense. https://t.co/ZrDrteSk7k

— Ivan Maisel (@Ivan_Maisel) December 8, 2017

Smith and Bloomgren worked together for four years in the NFL with the New York Jets. Bloomgren was named the new head coach at Rice earlier this week.

According to The Michigan Insider, this will be the sixth departure from Harbaugh’s staff in the last three seasons.

Smith’s coaching career began in 2004, coaching the linebackers at the University of Massachusetts, his alma mater. Since that time, he’s spent time at other programs and had a lengthy stint in the NFL.