A turbulent offseason for Michigan football has now gone from bad to worse.
Michigan defensive line coach Greg Mattison has accepted a job to join the staff at Ohio State, as first reported by Wolverines Wire. A spokesperson for the team did not immediately respond for comment. Mattison is set to replace Greg Schiano as the defensive coordinator of the Buckeyes, per multiple reports.
Mattison spent eight seasons on staff at Michigan, regularly grooming a top-tier defensive line. With the Wolverines, Mattison coached five defensive linemen to first- or second-team all-Big Ten selections — Taco Charlton, Rashan Gary, Maurice Hurst, Chase Winovich and Chris Wormley. During his tenure, the defensive line was frequently the hallmark of the team.
This is the culmination of Mattison’s second stint with the program, joining from the Baltimore Ravens in 2010. He also coached the team from 1992-1996.
Mattison’s departure would undoubtedly sting regardless, though the loss is only enhanced by his destination. The Buckeyes have beaten Michigan 15 of the last 16 seasons and have yet to lose to a Jim Harbaugh-coached team. Mattison will join the staff of new Ohio State coach Ryan Day, who takes over for the now-retired Urban Meyer.
The Mattison news comes just over a week after the Wolverines were embarassed in their bowl game, falling 41-15 to Florida in the Peach Bowl, capping the 10-3 season in a dour manner. In the interim, several high-profile players declared for the draft: linebacker Devin Bush, defensive end Rashan Gary, cornerback David Long and tight end Zach Gentry.
Each offseason under Harbaugh has included turnover on the coaching staff, with Ed Warriner, Al Washington and Sherrone Moore joining the group last year. The Mattison departure is the first such move of 2019, but certainly does not guarantee to be the last. Washington has also been rumored as a potential departure for Columbus.
And for Harbaugh and Michigan, an offseason already sure to be rife with questions just reached a fever pitch.