Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK

Michigan Bolsters Staff with NFL Veteran

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Nick Wright | Last updated Dec 26, 2024 10:05 PM ET

Michigan's offensive line room just got a major boost, adding former UCLA offensive line coach Juan Castillo as an analyst. At 65 years old, Castillo brings a wealth of NFL experience and deep connections to both Harbaugh brothers.

Michigan finished the 2024 season 7-5 overall and 5-4 in conference play. While the team put up an impressive 1,928 yards on the ground, the Wolverines' passing game lagged, recording an abysmal 1,603 total yards through the air. Having recently signed the nation's No. 1 QB prospect, Bryce Underwood, Castillo's signing signals a shift towards leveraging NFL-style analysis to improve the Wolverines' pass protection.

Castillo's resume reads like a who's who of NFL coaching circles. During his 17-year stint with the Philadelphia Eagles (1995-2012) he helped guide the offensive line through five NFC Championship appearances under Andy Reid. His relationship with John Harbaugh, who served alongside him in Philadelphia, led to stops with the Ravens (2013-16), Bills (2017-18), Bears (2020-21), and Commanders (2022-23).

Serving as an offensive analyst under Jim Harbaugh in 2019, Castillo is already familiarity with the Wolverines program, making him the perfect compliment to 27-year-old offensive line coach Grant Newsome. The veteran coach brings decades of O-line expertise that could accelerate Newsome's already promising trajectory. With Castillo's proven track record developing NFL-caliber talent, Michigan's offensive line room looks stronger than ever heading into 2025.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: