Jim Harbaugh will take one crucial Michigan football assistant with him

Ben Herbert was integral to Michigan's recent success, but now he's following Jim Harbaugh to the NFL ranks in 2024

One of the more critical pieces of the Michigan football staff will be following Jim Harbaugh to the NFL as Wolverines strength and conditioning coach Ben Herbert will join the Los Angeles Chargers, according to insiders.

Rivals first reported Herbert's departure.

From the moment it became a certainty that Harbaugh would be leaving Michigan for the Chargers, it was expected that he wanted to bring Herbert with him, but until Monday there was some hope that he would stay with the Wolverines.

But as the week began, Herbert informed the team that he would in fact be leaving Michigan for the Chargers for the 2024 season.

Herbert is regarded as one of the more critical pieces of the coaching infrastructure that helped rejuvenate the Michigan football program. 

He was one of two strength coaches in college football to earn over $1 million per year, and Harbaugh also gave him the title of associate head coach.

It is also expected that Michigan defensive coordinator Jesse Minter will join Harbaugh's staff on the Chargers in the same capacity, depriving new UM coach Sherrone Moore another important piece of the football coaching staff.

---

More college football from SI: Top 25 Rankings | Schedule | Teams

Follow College Football HQ: Bookmark | Rankings | Picks