Jim Harbaugh brings another staff member to the West Coast as Michigan hires new young recruiting specialists
Former Michigan football coach Jim Harbaugh continues to make changes to his alma mater’s staff. Late Monday, Christina DeRuyter, who was the director of football operations at U-M and played a key role in the recruiting department, announced she will join Harbaugh as the new director of football logistics in Los Angeles.
In her social media post, DeRuyter expressed her gratitude for her time at Michigan and excitement for her new role, referring to the Chargers as “Michigan West.”
“Forever grateful for the last 3 life-changing years @UMichFootball,” DeRuyter wrote. “3x BIG10 Champs, 3 Wins vs OSU, Natty Champs, countless relationships & memories made. I’m thrilled to join Coach Harbaugh at the Chargers (Michigan West) as the Director of Football Logistics. BOLT UP⚡️& GO BLUE〽️”
Current wide receiver I’Marion Stewart responded to her tweet, saying, “I was looking for you today,” to which she replied it “hurt my heart” not to be in Ann Arbor anymore.
This move is part of a significant exodus from Ann Arbor to Los Angeles among last year’s team members. After leading the Wolverines to their first 15-0 season and national championship since 1949, Harbaugh took almost the entire defensive coaching staff with him when he left. This includes defensive coordinator Jesse Minter, his father Rick Minter, defensive line coach Mike Elston, and defensive backs coach Steve Clinkscale, despite expectations he would remain at Michigan. Additionally, edge specialist Dylan Roney and strength and conditioning coach Ben Herbert also joined Harbaugh.
Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel commented on the departures, emphasizing the choices people have to make and acknowledging the positive impact Harbaugh and his staff had on the program.
In response to these changes, new head coach Sherrone Moore has been focused on building his own staff. Recently, Michigan added several new analysts and recruiting staffers, including Reid Kuhn, Richard Perry, Preston Sagan (Clemson), Aidan Young (Oregon), Jacob Weber (Indiana), Jack Turner (Wake Forest), and Jacob Sakk (Pittsburgh).
As part of the staff reshuffle, Albert Karschnia has become the Director of Player Personnel, with Sam Popper taking over Karschnia’s previous role as Director of Recruiting. Additionally, Michigan hired Kayli Johnson, a Michigan State graduate and sister of All-American DB Will Johnson, to take over DeRuyter’s role.
There is optimism that the influx of young talent will help boost Michigan’s 2025 recruiting class, which currently has just five verbal commits and ranks No. 41 in the nation according to 247Sports composite rankings.
