Michigan Hires Biff Poggi as Associate CFB HC after Charlotte Firing

Former Charlotte 49ers head coach Biff Poggi has been hired as the Michigan Wolverines new associate head coach, the team announced Monday.

Poggi, a former associate head coach with the Wolverines (2021-22), played a key role in Jim Harbaugh’s efforts to turn the program around, culminating in a national title in 2023. He later took over as head coach of the Charlotte 49ers (2023-24) in the American Athletic Conference.

“He’s kind of like the consigliere,” current Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald said, per The Athletic’s Bruce Feldman. “He’s really the only guy that is willing to hash it out with (Harbaugh).”

Poggi also served as Michigan’s analyst in 2016 before working his way up the ranks, eventually becoming a key figure in communicating with Harbaugh on the finer details of the team, becoming his “right-hand man.”

“Biff’s a great mentor and has been that for me,” Harbaugh said in 2022, per Feldman. “He likes to scheme it up, and he knows how to coach and helps coach the coaches. … As far as helping me personally, there’s not too many decisions that I make that I don’t run by Biff and we talk it out.”

After leaving the Wolverines, Poggi led Charlotte to a 3-9 record in his first season, followed by a 5-7 record the next year. He was fired after the team started 3-7, and Tim Brewster took over as interim head coach, finishing the season 2-0.

Following his release from the 49ers in late November, Poggi returned to Michigan for its 50-6 senior day victory over Northwestern.

“Great being “ back home” at Michigan,” Poggi posted on his social media after the win. “The players, coaches, staff, administration and fans were so welcoming. It feels great to have a football home. It all started years ago with my son Henry Poggi’s career as a player and my great friend Jim Harbaugh. Special people and place.”

It was only a matter of time before he made his official return to Ann Arbor.

"Biff has been a tremendous asset to our University of Michigan Football program, providing support and mentorship to our coaching staff and players," Harbaugh told reporters after Poggi left for Charlotte. "He has a great football mind, knows how to prepare a team during the week and on game day, and is a coach that aims to change the lives of his players in a positive way. Biff is a trusted agent and known friend.”