Putting together a new coaching staff may have had some stumbles for Jim Harbaugh at Michigan, but Michigan will retain Greg Mattison on the new staff. Pete Thamel of Sports Illustrated reports (via Twitter) Mattison has decided to stay on board in Ann Arbor and will coach the defense under the new defensive coordinator D.J. Durkin.
Mattison rejoined the Michigan coaching staff in 2011 after three seasons with the Baltimore Ravens. Mattison previously served as the defensive coordinator for the Wolverines in 1995 and 1996 before moving to Notre Dame eight seasons. Whether or not he would return amid coaching staff changes at Michigan was uncertain, but his acceptance of a reduced role on the staff could be a testament to the message being sent by Harbaugh in his first days in charge of the program.
Mattison has a history of coaching defensive line, so it should be expected Mattison will take charge of Michigan’s defensive line under Durkin.Source: Michigan’s Greg Mattison has agreed to stay on staff and work on defense under DJ Durkin.
— Pete Thamel (@SIPeteThamel) January 7, 2015
Mattison was a key addition to the coaching staff with Brady Hoke as head coach. Last season may not have been a great one for the Wolverines, but Mattison’s defense played well for much of the season. Michigan had the Big Ten’s third best total defense, trailing only Penn State and Wisconsin.
Mattison returning to the staff also provides a bit of stability on the staff and in recruiting efforts, which is rarely a bad move.