Report: Chris Partridge to return to Michigan football coaching duties

Jim Harbaugh has reportedly made no changes to his coaching staff, and that includes the return of familiar faces.

Chris Partridge, who spent five seasons at Michigan before leaving in 2020 to become Ole Miss’ defensive coordinator, is expected to be hired as an assistant coach. On3’s Matt Zenitz reports.

There was no official word on the Michigan hire as of Monday afternoon, but it would mean more departures from Harbaugh’s 10-man assistant staff. The defensive coaching staff includes Jesse Minter (coordinator), Steve Clinkscale (defensive backs/coordinator), Mike Elston (defensive line), George Helow (backs) and Jay Harbaugh (safeties/special teams coordinator).

Partridge, 42, spent the past three years as the safeties coach and helped coordinate the Ole Miss defense. He was not selected after the 2022 season.

Partridge, a New Jersey native, was a successful high school coach at Pamarus (NJ) Catholic who eventually rose to prominence at Michigan, where he moved from director of player personnel in 2015 to field coach, first with linebackers and as a specialty. team coordinator in 2016 and ’17 and then safeties and special teams coordinator in 2018 and ’19, all under Don Brown.

He abruptly left for Ole Miss after the 2019 season for a $0 raise and a coordinator role alongside DJ Durkin.

Partridge is known for his tenacious recruiting success that helped Michigan land five-star running back Rashan Gary, five-star safety Daxton Hill and countless other high-profile recruits over the years. A return to personnel would help improve Michigan’s recruiting department, particularly in the Northeast and the state of New Jersey, once a major high school hotbed for the Wolverines.

Harbaugh has already made one change to his coaching staff this offseason, elevating offensive analyst Kirk Campbell to quarterbacks coach after co-offensive coordinator Matt Weiss was fired. He remains under police investigation for alleged “computer crimes” at Schembechler Hall.

Michigan is 13-1, its best so far under Harbaugh, with wins over rivals Michigan State and Ohio State, a second straight Big Ten title and a berth in the College Football Playoff.