A number of programs, including Nick Saban and Alabama, have tried to raid the Michigan staff over the last several years to pull special teams coordinator and safeties coach Chris Partridge away for other opportunities.
Add Lane Kiffin and Ole Miss to that list, according to a report from Tom VanHaaren last night.
The report states that Lane wants Partridge, the former head coach at powerhouse Paramus Catholic (NJ) with very strong east coast recruiting ties, to come fill his defensive coordinator position.
Partridge joined the Michigan staff four years ago as director of player personnel before moving into an on-the-field role where he has coordinated the special teams and worked with linebackers before moving to safeties. He quickly established himself as one of college football's elite recruiters.
After Alabama's pursuit of him last off season, Partridge signed a new two-year deal at Michigan that will pay him $625,000 next season. In the SEC, Kiffin could easily double that salary to sweeten his offer.
Will Kiffin be able to lure Partridge out of Ann Arbor and bring him to Oxford to run the defense? Mike MacIntyre served as defensive coordinator at Ole Miss last season and remains under contract and working; but the whisper has consistently been that Lane was on the look for a new defensive coordinator. MacIntyre's contract is significant, so that could play into this decision. Stay tuned to The Scoop for the latest.
Partridge and Michigan will take on Alabama tomorrow in the Citrus Bowl in Orlando.