SEC defensive assistant reportedly planning to leave to join Jim Harbaugh’s Michigan staff
By Jake Rill
Published:
Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh appears to be poaching from an SEC program to add a defensive assistant to his staff.
According to Football Scoop’s John Brice, Florida linebackers coach Christian Robinson is “planning to leave” his current job to become a defensive assistant at Michigan, a report that’s been confirmed by Zach Abolverdi of the Gainesville Sun. Robinson has been an assistant for the Gators the past three seasons.
Before coming to Florida, Robinson worked as a graduate assistant at three other SEC schools — Georgia (2013-14), Ole Miss (2015-16) and Mississippi State (2017). When defensive coordinator Todd Grantham left Mississippi State for Florida, Robinson came with him and earned his first full-time coaching job.
Robinson was a linebacker for Georgia from 2009-12, before joining its staff immediately after his playing career ended.
Per Brice, Robinson is “viewed as an energetic young coach who is strong in fundamental teachings of the linebacker position and also an asset on the recruiting trail.”
Now, Robinson appears to be leaving the SEC for the first time as he heads to the Big Ten to join Harbaugh at Michigan. The Wolverines’ staff has undergone some big changes this offseason, which includes the reported plan for them to hire Mike MacDonald as their defensive coordinator once the Baltimore Ravens’ playoff run comes to an end (he currently serves as their linebackers coach).
It’s not yet been reported what position Robinson would hold on Michigan’s staff if he does end up going there.
Jake Rill contributes to news coverage for Saturday Down South. He has covered the SEC since 2016.
