Michigan Wolverines make critical football staffing change before bowl game selection

Michigan Wolverines make critical football staffing change before bowl game selection originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Michigan Wolverines' coaching staff is going to look a little different when they find out their bowl destination this Sunday.

During National Signing Day Wednesday, Wolverines coach Sherrone Moore made a rather unexpected move by dismissing special teams coach JB Brown. Brown had been with the program for five years, serving three of them as an analyst.

The reasoning from Moore's was end was mutual, saying the pair just needed a change in direction holistically for the sake of the program's immediate future in a short-term sense.

“After thoroughly evaluating our special teams’ performance throughout the season, I made the decision to make a change that was in the best interest of the program,” Moore told select outlets, including the Detroit Free Press. "I want to thank JB Brown for his unwavering dedication and the positive impact he’s had on our players and program. We are grateful for his commitment, and I wish him nothing but success as he continues his coaching career.”

It is unclear who Brown's successor will be next season, but the special teams' unit has been a huge issue for the Wolverines in recent years.

"Michigan had one kick return for more than 30 yards, a 39-yarder by Marsh against Maryland, and ranked No. 123 out of 134 teams, averaging 15.24 yards per return," Tony Garcia wrote.

What makes these numbers staggering is the fact the Terrapins, who were thumped by the Wolverines head-to-head, finished 4-8 and only allowed the Wolverines to be dynamic in space when they couldn't against other common Big Ten teams.

Nonetheless, though, it appears the Wolverines have some cleaning up to do.

Only time will tell if it gets resolved quicky ahead of next fall.