Report: Michigan head coach leaving Michigan to join Jim Harbaugh’s staff in Los Angeles

On Monday morning, it was reported from various sources that Ben Herbert, the longtime strength and conditioning coach for the Michigan Wolverines, has accepted the same role on Jim Harbaugh’s NFL staff with the Los Angeles Chargers.

Additionally, The Michigan Insider’s Sam Webb has indicated that Justin Tress, the assistant strength and conditioning coach, is expected to step into Herbert’s role.

This development follows just two days after Michigan’s new head coach, Sherrone Moore, expressed optimism about retaining Herbert in Ann Arbor, stating, “We’ll take it a day at a time and see what happens with the staff. But definitely excited.”

Herbert had been associated with the Michigan football program since 2018 and was elevated to the position of associate head coach by Harbaugh in the previous season. His departure is considered a significant setback for Moore and the Wolverines, as he was hailed by Harbaugh as the “X-factor of our entire program,” and Moore himself praised Herbert as the “best strength coach in the country.”

Interestingly, despite the prestige associated with college coaching positions, it’s noted that strength and conditioning coaches in the NFL generally earn less than their counterparts in college. Herbert had signed a lucrative five-year, $5 million contract with Michigan just last year.

There are also rumors about Jesse Minter joining Harbaugh’s staff in Los Angeles, although this has not been officially confirmed. In addition to Herbert’s departure, Moore faces the task of filling other key coaching positions, including offensive coordinator, offensive line coach, and linebackers coach.

Acknowledging the challenges ahead, Moore emphasized at his introductory press conference the importance of completing the staff as quickly as possible. The upcoming weeks will reveal how swiftly he can address these coaching vacancies.