Michigan may wait until after the Super Bowl to pursue a coaching candidate for Sherrone Moore’s staff.
According to Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports , Kansas City Chiefs defensive lines coach Joe Cullen is an option for Michigan’s next defensive coordinator. He also may have a chance to land the same role in the NFL for the Washington Commanders or Seattle Seahawks.
Chiefs defensive line coach Joe Cullen is considered a candidate for several defensive coordinator jobs, sources say. His name is in the mix with the Seahawks and Commanders, as well as at the University of Michigan.
— Jonathan Jones (@jjones9) February 4, 2024
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Michigan’s 2023 defensive coordinator, Jesse Minter, is widely expected to follow Jim Harbaugh to the Los Angeles Chargers for the same job title. Under Minder’s watch, Michigan allowed just 10.4 points per game in a 15-0 season.
After being named Harbaugh’s successor, Moore elevated quarterbacks coach Kirk Campbell to his former role of offensive coordinator. Michigan’s new head coach must now find someone to run the defense.
Cullen started his coaching career with 15 years in the college ranks. He was a defensive coordinator for Richmond and Indiana while spending one season as LSU’s defensive lines coach.
After working as a defensive assistant at Illinois, he shifted to the NFL in 2006 to join the Detroit Lions. Including the Lions and Chiefs, Cullen was also a defensive line coach for the Cleveland Browns, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Baltimore Ravens.
Cullen returned to Jacksonville as Urban Meyer’s defensive coordinator in 2021. The Jaguars finished 20th in total defense, which is probably the nicest thing anybody could say about that season.
Cullen has found a far better situation in Kansas City. After finishing the 2023 regular season second in yards and points allowed, the Chiefs have ceded just 41 combined points in three playoff victories.
The 56-year-old coach can bolster his portfolio with a second Super Bowl ring next Sunday.