Tom Pelissero reported on Tuesday evening that Mike Elston, defensive line coach and recruiting coordinator for the Michigan Wolverines, is departing Ann Arbor to join the Los Angeles Chargers.

The challenges keep mounting for Sherrone Moore, the first-year head coach, who has already had to fill vacancies for defensive coordinator (Jesse Minter), special teams coordinator (Jay Harbaugh), and strength and conditioning coach (Ben Herbert).

Moreover, uncertainty surrounds the positions of running backs coach Mike Hart and co-defensive coordinator/defensive backs coach Steve Clinkscale.

It’s evident that turbulent times lie ahead for Michigan.

The departure of Elston carries significant consequences for Michigan:

Recruitment:
Elston excelled as a recruiter, evident in his pivotal role within the recruitment department. He played a crucial part in securing commitments from highly-rated prospects such as 2023 four-star Enow Etta, and 2024 four-stars Lugard Edokpayi, Owen Wafle, Ted Hammond, and Devon Baxter.

Elston’s exit is already impacting recruitment, as evidenced by the reaction of 2025 four-star Jaylen Williams on social media. Williams expressed uncertainty about his recruitment following the news, though he maintains faith in Coach Moore’s ability to revitalize the program. Nonetheless, Michigan’s lead in Williams’ recruitment could falter without a replacement recruiter of Elston’s caliber.

Increased risk of player departures via transfer portal:
This poses a significant short-term threat to Michigan football. While Elston may not have recruited players like Mason Graham and Kenneth Grant, he played a crucial role in their development. Given their importance to the team heading into the 2024 season, retaining them should be a priority for Moore.

However, Elston’s departure could complicate matters, especially with reports of other schools offering lucrative deals to entice players like Graham and Grant to transfer. The impact of Elston’s move to the NFL remains uncertain, but the risk of key defensive linemen departing Michigan is very real.

Impact on the development of Michigan’s young defensive linemen:
Elston’s departure raises questions about the development of Michigan’s young defensive linemen. While there’s undoubtedly talent remaining in the room, including Derrick Moore, Josaiah Stewart, and Rayshaun Benny, it’s fair to wonder if they’ll reach their full potential without Elston’s guidance.

Elston’s track record for maximizing player potential leaves big shoes to fill. With Moore tasked with replacing both the defensive line coach and defensive coordinator, the future development of the young defensive linemen remains uncertain.