Chargers News: Jim Harbaugh Is Hiring Another Michigan Coach

Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh is bringing in another one of his former Michigan coaches to this Chargers staff. Harbaugh has hired Michigan defensive line coach Mike Elston, who is expected to take the same position on the Chargers staff, via Tom Pelissero.

Elston would be replacing the role left behind by Jay Rodgers, who was the Chargers defensive line coach and run game coordinator from 2022-2023. Rodgers has since left for a role as the Atlanta Falcons defensive line coach. Rodgers is the second former Chargers assistant to leave for the Falcons this offseason, along with Kevin Koger.

Elston now joins former Michigan strength coach Ben Herbert as the Wolverines who have left for Harbaugh's staff. With all the familiarity between this staff, it should help create more organizational alignment. 

Elston worked under Harbaugh at Michigan from 2022-2023. Elston helped coach a Michigan defense in 2023 that allowed the fifth-fewest rushing yards per game in the FBS. This Michigan defense was also fifth in rush yards per carry allowed, giving up just 3.0 YPC to opponents in 2023.

If Elston can help improve the Chargers run defense it will be huge for their overall defense. The Chargers run D did improve significantly from 2022-2023, jumping up from 28th to 17th. Even so, they still rank in the middle of the pack, and getting better versus the run could help a defense that overall ranked fifth-last in 2023.