A day after reports surfaced that Michigan was prepared to add a new staffer, the hire became official.
On Wednesday, the Wolverines’ football program formally announced the addition of Steve Clinkscale as defensive backs coach and passing game coordinator, filling the vacancy left by the recently departed Maurice “Mo” Linguist.
The move was reported Tuesday afternoon as nearing completion, bringing the 41-year-old Kentucky assistant to Ann Arbor to help round out Jim Harbaugh’s coaching staff for the 2021 season.
In a statement, Harbaugh called Clinkscale “a highly-respected and talented football coach” and touted his history of developing defensive backs at the college level.
“I have followed and admired Steve’s coaching for years, tried to hire him a few times, and I’m glad that it all came together where we could bring Steve to Michigan,” Harbaugh said. “He will be a great addition to our coaching staff, and our student-athletes will benefit from Steve’s experience and instruction.”
Clinkscale spent the past five seasons at the University of Kentucky, known for its aggressive, play-making secondary. The Wildcats finished in the upper third of the Southeastern Conference in pass defense each of the past three seasons, while tallying 57 interceptions since 2016, Clinkscale’s first season in Lexington.
Last year, during the COVID-19 pandemic plagued football season, Kentucky’s secondary had 16 interceptions, good for third nationally. He was recently promoted to defensive passing game coordinator for the 2021 season.
Terms of the deal between Michigan and Clinkscale have not yet been disclosed, but it’s believed to be a multi-year agreement.
“Coach Harbaugh and I have developed a relationship over the years, and this will be a great opportunity to work together,” Clinkscale said in a statement. “I look forward to meeting our players and working with them to develop their skills on and off the field. I wish to further the tradition of excellence here at Michigan and look forward to helping make a difference in these young men’s lives.”
Prior to his tenure at Kentucky, Clinkscale had stops at Cincinnati (2013-15), where he was defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach; Illinois (2012) and Toledo (2009-11), where he served as cornerbacks coach and special teams coordinator.
A Youngstown, Ohio, native, Clinkscale was a four-year starter and team captain at Division II Ashland University. He brings knowledge and recruiting prowess of southeast Michigan, Ohio and the mid-south, bolstering the program’s recent momentum.
Linguist, the departed assistant coach, took the head-coaching job at the University at Buffalo last Friday, ending his tenure at Michigan less than four months after he was hired.
Clinkscale joins an already revamped Michigan coaching staff, especially on the defensive side. Harbaugh hired first-year coordinator Mike Macdonald in January, along with new linebackers coach George Helow and Ron Bellamy, the former West Bloomfield High School coach who was tasked to coach the safeties.
