Official: Michigan hires Boston College’s Don Brown as DC
Michigan turned to the team with the best defense in college football in 2015 to find its next defensive coordinator.
The program confirmed Monday that it has hired Boston College defensive coordinator Don Brown to the same position.
Brown’s Boston College defense was incredible in 2015. You just may not have known it because the Eagles were 0-8 in the ACC and 3-9 overall. BC gave up just over 254 yards per game and held opponents to 4.07 yards per play. Teams playing Boston College scored 19 touchdowns. Clemson, the No. 1 seed in the College Football Playoff, was the only team to break 30 points against BC.
Only Florida State gave up fewer points in ACC play. The Eagles offense was simply inept. Boston College scored 73 points in ACC play. The next-lowest scoring team was Wake Forest, which scored 120 points in eight conference games.
Michigan’s defense was No. 4 in total defense in 2015. The Wolverines gave up 281 yards per game and 23 touchdowns.
“We are very pleased and happy to announce that our top candidate and number one choice, Don Brown, has accepted our offer to become defensive coordinator,” said Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh. “After a very thorough search and talking with those I respect the most in this game, including Jack Harbaugh, John Harbaugh, Bill Belichick, Bob Sutton, Vic Fangio and others, it led me to Don Brown. Everything he has touched has turned to gold. Just look at his track record as a head coach, defensive coordinator and even as a baseball coach. We are beyond excited to welcome this high character, high achieving individual to our program and university. Teaching and player development are synonymous with coaching and Don Brown epitomizes those qualities.”
Brown, 60, had been at Boston College since 2013. Before he joined the school he was at UConn and Maryland, where he served as defensive coordinator at each school. He was the head coach at UMass from 2004-2008. UMass went to the FCS title game in 2006 and finished the season 13-2.
Brown is replacing D.J. Durkin, who left Michigan to be the head coach at Maryland.
For more Michigan news, visit TheWolverine.com.
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Nick Bromberg is the assistant editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter!
