Central Michigan is barely four weeks from its season-opening tilt against Football Championship Subdivision program Central Connecticut State, a game that marks the onset of Jim McElwain's sixth season at the helm.
But the Chippewas are ushering in training camp not without some drama.
Multiple sources tell FootballScoop that Central Michigan is making significant changes to its coaching staff, notably elevating John Leister from his role as director of football operations into the slot of on-field assistant as quarterbacks coach.
Tavita Thompson, already the team's running game coordinator and offensive line coach, is assuming a greater role in the offensive hierarchy, sources told FootballScoop.
Jake Kostner, who's been serving as CMU's quarterbacks coach, is not expected to remain with the Chips, sources tell FootballScoop.
Kostner is a Grand Haven, Michigan, native with deep ties in the state after working four years under former Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh as a student-assistant in the Wolverines football program. Kostner also owns previous experience at the University of Texas and Limestone, as well as an earlier stop on the CMU staff and an coaching internship with the NFL's Cleveland Browns.
CMU officials have yet to fully reveal any official findings or resolutions from the school's probe into the presence of disgraced former Michigan staff member Conor Stalions on the sideline of the Chips's game last season against Michigan State.
As FootballScoop previously reported, a document obtained from CMU officials showed that Stalions was present on the sideline of Central Michigan's 2023 season-opening 31-7 loss at Michigan State.
Multiple reports this week indicate that Michigan, which saw its former head coach Harbaugh suspended for six games during its 2023 College Football Playoff championship run, is expected this week to receive its formal Notice of Allegations from the NCAA.
The Wolverines tabbed Sherrone Moore as their new head coach after Harbaugh returned to the NFL, elevating Moore from his role as offensive coordinator. Numerous other members of last year's Michigan staff followed Harbaugh to the NFL's Los Angeles Chargers.