New Michigan football coach already making huge impact for the Wolverines

Earlier in the 2023 offseason, Jim Harbaugh added former Ole Miss defensive play-caller Chris Partridge to his Maize and Blue coaching staff. Partridge, who previously held a role as an assistant coach for the Wolverines during the first few years of Harbaugh’s tenure, has taken on the position of linebackers coach this year. According to 6th-year senior linebacker Mike Barrett, this new Michigan football coach is already making a difference in the locker room and beyond.

New Michigan football coach Chris Partridge already making a huge impact

Chris Partridge is well-acquainted with Ann Arbor, MI, and Jim Harbaugh’s approach. When Harbaugh was initially hired at Michigan back in late 2014, Partridge was one of the first assistant coaches he brought on board. From 2015 through 2019, he patrolled the sidelines in Ann Arbor; however, from 2020 to 2022, he ventured into SEC territory, where he cultivated stronger southern recruiting ties during his time with the Ole Miss Rebels.

Now, Partridge is a fresh addition to the Michigan football coaching staff. According to veteran linebacker Mike Barrett, who spoke with the media at Schembechler Hall on Monday, Partridge is already leaving a significant impact.

“Just that freshness… Just learning from a different point of view, a different eye,” Mike Barrett said when asked about the impact of Chris Partridge rejoining the coaching staff this year. “He’s teaching everyone ways that they best can learn, taking everything slow. Just having that fresh face, something new, I feel like is probably the biggest thing.”

Mike Barrett is thrilled about the return of his former recruiter

Mike Barrett has been a part of the Michigan football defense for a considerable period of time. In fact, when he initially committed to the Wolverines, much of the credit goes to Chris Partridge, who played a crucial role in sealing the deal during his initial tenure on Harbaugh’s staff. Now, these two have reunited, and as the 2023 season approaches, things are progressing smoothly for the Maize and Blue linebacker room.

“I was ecstatic to hear he was coming back,” Mike Barrett said. “He was the guy that lead me to come up here to Michigan. He was a safeties coach whenever he was here, and being able to go off and come back and bring back different knowledge about different positions, and being able to help us anywhere, just him having that knowledge of different positions helps us see the bigger picture of the linebacker position.”

The Michigan football linebacker room has garnered a ranking among the nation’s finest as the upcoming college football season approaches (ranked 5th in the country). Under the guidance of Chris Partridge, who oversees this exceptional group featuring talents such as Mike Barrett, Junior Colson, Ernest Hausmann, and others, the Wolverines are poised for yet another remarkable season this fall.

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