The Michigan Wolverines suffered an unfortunate slide at the end of the 2016 season but very little of that downturn could be blamed on the defense for Jim Harbaugh's team. As a result, Harbaugh and the powers that be in Ann Arbor reportedly made a swift decision in the aftermath of a close-fought loss to Florida State to ensure that the defense would play at a high level for the next five seasons.
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Bruce Feldman of FOX Sports brings word that the Wolverines have provided defensive coordinator Don Brown with a five-year contract that will pay him $1.4 million per season. That is easily the highest assistant coaching salary ever handed out by Michigan and, in short, Brown is worth it.
The former Boston College defensive coordinator took the reins after D.J. Durkin accepted the head coaching job at Maryland. In his first season in Ann Arbor, Brown led the Wolverines to the country's No. 2 overall defense, trailing only Alabama, and Michigan was able to visibly sure up issues against read-option offenses that have plagued the program over a multi-year period.
Brown is also an entertaining figure in the college football world and his no-nonsense style fits in quite well under the overall leadership of Harbaugh. Michigan made a stellar decision to swipe Brown from BC before this season and yet another intelligent move in locking the defensive coordinator down for the next half-decade.
