Jim Harbaugh adds Michigan alum, NFL coordinator to 2023 staff

On Friday, it was announced that the Michigan football program has added a new member to its 2023 coaching staff: Mike Mallory. Jim Harbaugh has hired yet another former NFL coordinator to his staff — the 2023 Wolverine coaching staff may be the best that we have seen in quite some time.

Jim Harbaugh hires Mike Mallory

Mike Mallory is a long-time NFL special teams coordinator, and at Michigan, he is expected to assist as a special teams analyst — the Wolverines’ special teams are managed and coordinated by Jim Harbaugh’s son, Jay Harbaugh.

Mallory brings decades of NFL experience with him to Michigan — from 2008 to 2022 Mallory saw action on NFL sidelines with the New Orleans Saints, Jacksonville Jaguars, and the Denver Broncos. He also brings decades of college coaching experience with him — he spent over 20 years coaching division one college football at schools like Indiana, Kent State, Eastern Illinois, Rhode Island, Northern Illinois, Maryland, Illinois, Kansas and Louisville.

Another Michigan football alum on the coaching staff

Yes, Mike Mallory’s resume is incredible, but one of the main selling points that Mallory brings is that he is a former Michigan football star. From 1982-85 Mallory played on Bo Schembechler’s teams, earning All-Big Ten honors, being named a team captain, and was the team’s MVP in 1984. He also led the Wolverines to a 10-1-1 record and No. 2 finish in 1985 after defeating Nebraska in the Fiesta Bowl.

Jim Harbaugh’s approach to his coaching staff appears to be that no one coaches Wolverines better than former Wolverines. Mallory joins a long list of Michigan football alums on staff, including Mike Hart, Denard Robinson, and even Jim Harbaugh himself. Mallory is an excellent addition to Michigan’s staff, and should make an impact as a special teams analyst this season.