Wolverines defensive coordinator Don Brown will not return in Ann Arbor, according to reports this afternoon.
Bruce Feldman was among the first to share the news.
Brown is owed a buyout of just over $1.7 million, according to his contract, and that will be offset by future compensation. He was the highest paid assistant in the Big Ten by $300k.
His first several years in Ann Arbor, Brown's defense was among the best in the country, ranking in the top ten in a number of categories. However, come the end of the year in their rivalry matchup with Ohio State, Brown's defenses were struggling for answers.
In the last two years alone, the Wolverines defense gave up 118 points to the Buckeyes in blowouts to their rival to the south.
Sources tell FootballScoop that more changes on the Michigan staff are expected way as well.
What do those changes mean in the big picture? Well it would certainly suggest that Jim Harbaugh, who is in the final year of his contract, will return to lead his alma mater for a seventh season. It is well documented that Harbaugh and Manuel were set to meet at the end of the season, and since Michigan will not play in a bowl game, the two have had the opportunity to sit down.
In recent weeks, reports have shared that a new contract for Harbaugh have been discussed and include a lower base salary and language that is more incentive based, and there have also been reports of "multiple" NFL teams showing interest in Harbaugh, who went 44-19 in four seasons leading the 49ers before taking the Michigan job.
Where will Michigan turn for their next defensive coordinator? Assuming Harbaugh gets an extension as expected, he position is primed to be one of the premier coordinator positions on the market this off season and should draw significant interest.
Stay tuned to The Scoop for the latest.