The decision of Houston Texans safeties coach Stephen Adegoke to remain in the NFL instead of joining the Wolverines as a secondary coach dealt a blow to Michigan football on Thursday.
Adegoke is a rising talent who previously worked with the Michigan football team as a graduate assistant in 2021, giving him a connection to the university. That, in my opinion, was the deciding factor between Adegoke and Lamar Morgan, the defensive coordinator for Louisiana, whom I predicted would be a great hire on Tuesday. According to Matt Zenitz of 247 Sports, he is now the hire.
Morgan was a Vanderbilt coach under Jesse Minter. He has also managed Louisiana’s defense for the last two seasons. In addition, he has experience coaching cornerbacks and safeties. He seems like a guy who could eventually succeed Wink Martindale as Michigan’s defensive coordinator.
Morgan also had a successful run as the DC at Louisiana during the previous two seasons. This season, his defense led the league in defensive touchdowns and ranked in the top 35 for sacks, interceptions, and yards per play allowed. Additionally, Louisiana possessed a top-25 pass defense and was 14th in interceptions in 2022.
Morgan, like Martindale, Greg Scruggs, and Brian Jean-Mary, will have to overcome the current Michigan football players. Despite having a completely new defensive line, the Wolverines have only lost one important defensive player thus far.
Sherrone Moore most likely has a major role in all of it. There’s a good reason Michigan football chose him as their head coach—he’s a fantastic leader. Though he’s brought in a number of excellent defensive hires, he still needs to mend fences with players. They must also be certain that, with these defensive coaches, they can succeed in the defensive plan.
Though he may have been the “second choice” in theory, Morgan is a fantastic fit for the Wolverines, and I have no doubt that Moore will make good hires.
