Michigan football has officially brought Lionel Stokes on board as a defensive analyst, as revealed by The Michigan Insider. The Wolverines’ interest in Stokes was initially reported by 247Sports in mid-March, where it was mentioned that he had served as a defensive coordinator at Jackson State and as a defensive backs coach at Jackson and Nicholls. Stokes, who previously worked with new Michigan defensive backs coach LaMar Morgan at Louisiana, has now joined Michigan Athletics as an employee.
Additionally, former Baltimore Ravens standout Pernell McPhee is expected to join the Wolverines’ staff as an analyst. McPhee, listed in the University of Michigan directory as a graduate student in the School of Social Work, played 11 seasons in the NFL and has a strong connection with new Michigan defensive coordinator Wink Martindale, having played under him during their time together at the Ravens.
These new additions come as part of a significant overhaul of Michigan’s defensive coaching staff following their national championship victory in 2023. Led by Martindale, the defensive coaching room has undergone a transformation, implementing the defensive scheme that Martindale refers to as the “OG” of the Ravens’ system. Martindale emphasized the success of this system and the development of both players and coaches within it.
The full-time defensive staff at Michigan now includes Lou Esposito, LaMar Morgan, and Brian Jean-Mary, along with the newly added Stokes and McPhee.
