Just when Michigan thought their coaching search couldn’t get any more frustrating, they’ve been dealt another blow. Fresh off watching Kenny Dillingham ink his extension to stay at Arizona State, the Wolverines are now staring at yet another name slipping away from their potential candidate list. 

Jesse Minter, the defensive coordinator who helped orchestrate Michigan’s 2023 national championship run, is suddenly being pursued by the Tennessee Titans, per Diana Russini. Minter had been mentioned as a wildcard possibility for the Michigan job after Sherrone Moore’s dismissal. But the reality is that his rising stock in professional football might price him out of any college return, even to the program where he made his name.​

The Titans are assembling their coaching shortlist, and Minter is squarely on their radar alongside several other defensive coordinators, including Lou Anarumo, Jeff Hafley, Chris Shula, and Matt Burke. Tennessee’s front office is casting a wide net after two seasons of organizational turmoil and identity searching. The Titans’ interest comes right when the Wolverines are desperately trying to stabilize their own program.

It was Minter’s 2-year stint at Michigan that made him one of the premier defensive minds in college football. He took over as the defensive coordinator in February 2022 and immediately transformed the unit. Minter guided Michigan to a No. 6 national ranking in total defense in his first season. And then came the season that would cement his legacy in Ann Arbor.

He coordinated the nation’s top-ranked defense that allowed just 247.0 total yards per game and a microscopic 10.4 points per game. His defense never allowed 25 or more points in a single game throughout the entire undefeated season. And in the national championship victory over Washington, they held the Huskies’ high-powered offense to just 13 points. When Jim Harbaugh was suspended for the season opener against East Carolina, Minter even served as Michigan’s interim head coach. He led the Wolverines to a 30-3 victory in his first official win as a head coach.​

Fast forward to 2024, and Minter has somehow managed to top his college success at the professional level with the Los Angeles Chargers. The Chargers’ defense under Minter is currently allowing just 20.3 points per game. Jim Harbaugh, who brought Minter from Michigan to the Chargers, has already gone on record saying he believes Minter will be a head coach.​ The Wolverines wanted to bring back a piece of their championship glory. But Minter’s trajectory is pointing firmly toward the professional ranks. It leaves them to cross yet another name off its increasingly dwindling list.​

Kenny Dillingham locks down his future 

While Michigan watches potential coaching targets like Jesse Minter slip away, Kenny Dillingham made sure he wasn’t going anywhere by finalizing a contract extension that keeps him firmly planted in Tempe. The 35-year-old Arizona State head coach signed a new deal that will average $7.5 million annually. This is a significant bump from his previous $4.05 million base salary.

Arizona State law restricts the contract to five years, but the agreement includes performance-based incentives that could effectively extend the deal up to 10 years. Reports of Michigan’s interest had been swirling all week. And Arizona State’s administration moved quickly to ensure their rising star wouldn’t even entertain conversations with Ann Arbor.​ What really sets this deal apart is the massive commitment Arizona State made to building a championship-caliber program around him.

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The staff salary pool has been elevated to $11 million, placing it near the very top of the Big 12. Pete Thamel reported that “the heart of this deal was resources for the program,” with Dillingham prioritizing investments in his coaching staff. For a guy who just took a team predicted to finish last in the Big 12 to an 11-3 record just last year, Kenny Dillingham earned every penny and then some.​