Overview
- Michigan announced the hire on Dec. 6, and Sherrone Moore said Coombs is already in Ann Arbor and will run special teams in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl.
- Coombs replaces J.B. Brown, who was fired Dec. 3 following season-long special teams struggles.
- The 64-year-old brings 42 years of experience, most recently coordinating special teams and coaching cornerbacks at Cincinnati (2022–24) with prior roles at Ohio State and the NFL’s Tennessee Titans.
- He is recognized as an elite recruiter and developer of defensive backs, earning 2017 Rivals National Recruiter of the Year and coaching seven first-round NFL cornerbacks at Ohio State.
- Moore said contract details are still being finalized as Coombs tackles punting inefficiency, return-game errors, and kicker turnover after Dominic Zvada, with Hudson Hollenbeck ranking 10th in the Big Ten in punt average.