On Monday the Michigan Wolverines formally announced Greg Mattison will remain on the Michigan coaching staff under new head coach Jim Harbaugh.
It was reported last week, first by Pete Thamel of Sports Illustrated, Mattison had agreed to stay on the coaching staff, but it was unknown exactly which role he would be taking on the new staff. Not surprisingly, Harbaugh will ask Mattison to coach the defensive line at Michigan, which is a job he has carried multiple times during his coaching career.Jim Harbaugh announced Monday that Greg Mattison has been retained and will assume the duties as defensive line coach for the Wolverines.
— Tom Dienhart (@BTNTomDienhart) January 12, 2015
Michigan hired D.J. Durkin from Florida to be the defensive coordinator for Harbaugh’s staff, which meant Mattison was destined for a scaled back role on the staff, although his impact with the defensive line should not be glossed over. Michigan spiked its total tackles for a loss in 2014 compared to the previous season (70. TFL in 2013 to 82.0 in 2014) and picked up a few more sacks in 2014 compared to its 2013 total as well. Mattison’s willingness to accept a perceived lesser role is a show of commitment to the program that Harbaugh and his staff can sell to recruits, as well as a nod to the idea Mattison may best be utilized focusing on one area of the defense while allowing someone else to oversee the entire defensive unit.
It looks like a good situation for Michigan, Harbaugh, Durkin and Mattison all around.