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Report: Michigan fires defensive coordinator Don Brown following 2-4 season
Published:
Michigan has reportedly parted ways with longtime defensive coordinator Don Brown.
That’s per college football insider Bruce Feldman.
SOURCE: #Michigan has dismissed defensive coordinator Don Brown.
— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) December 22, 2020
Brown has been Michigan’s defensive coordinator since the 2016 season. He’d led several successful defenses for the Wolverines since being hired, but 2020 represented a step in the wrong direction.
Brown’s defense gave up 429.3 passing yards per game this season, just 11th in the Big Ten. The Wolverines were also bottom five in the Big Ten in rushing defense and in turnover margin. Michigan produced just two interceptions all season.
This move was not unexpected as the Wolverines finished just 2-4 this season and had only one win after a season-opening victory over a COVID-weakened Minnesota team.
Brown’s defenses regressed over time, culminating in the No. 56-ranked total defense in the country this season.
Don Brown's defenses at Michigan the past five years in national ranking (yards per play allowed): second (2016); sixth (2017); eighth (2018); 10th (2019) and 56th (this year).
— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) December 22, 2020
Brown especially struggled vs. Ohio State in recent years. This year’s game was called off due to COVID-19, but his defenses allowed 118 combined points in their previous two meetings with the Buckeyes.
Coach Jim Harbaugh’s future is also in doubt as there’s just one year remaining on his original seven-year contract.
It’s currently unclear who Michigan will target to replace Brown, but the Wolverines should have a number of good options available heading into 2021.
Spenser is the news manager at Saturday Road and covers college football across all Saturday Football brands.