Tuesday it was reported that D.J. Durkin would be joining Jim Harbaugh‘s Michigan coaching staff. Two days later, that move has officially come to fruition.
In a press release, Michigan announced Thursday that Durkin has been hired as Harbaugh’s new defensive coordinator. In addition to his role as coordinator, Durkin will also serve as linebackers coach.
“D.J. is one of the top young defensive coordinators in football, and I look forward to having him work with our student-athletes,” Harbaugh said in a statement. “He will make an excellent addition to our staff.”
The 36-year-old Durkin has spent the past two seasons as the coordinator at Florida, and served as interim head coach in the Gators’ Birmingham Bowl win over East Carolina. All told, Durkin spent five seasons in Gainesville.
The move to Ann Arbor will prove to be a reunion as, prior to his time with the Gators, he served as on Harbaugh’s Stanford staff as defensive ends coach as well as special teams coach.
“Reuniting with Jim at the University of Michigan is an opportunity that I could not pass up,” said Durkin. “We had some great times working together at Stanford, and I look forward to producing great results at Michigan. I look forward to coaching in the Big Ten after growing up in that footprint. I am excited to return to the Midwest and recruit and teach some of the best and brightest young men in the country.”