Michigan loses director of football operations to Illinois

Michigan football loses a behind the scenes staff to the Illini.

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Sometimes, staff hires are essentially rentals. Such is the case for Michigan football.

During the past few seasons, Mark Taurisani was in Ann Arbor as the Wolverines director of football operations, but he hailed from another coaching tree. Taurisani spent 12 seasons with Bret Bielema at Wisconsin and Arkansas, but came aboard at Michigan once Bielema was relieved from his post with the Razorbacks.

Now that Bielema has landed in Champaign as the new head coach, Taurisani is reuniting with his former boss. The Fighting Illini announced on Monday  he was taking the same post — though called football chief of staff — at Illinois.

With Jim Harbaugh’s contract extension still unsigned, it’s unclear whether or Michigan will fill this post in the interim. The Wolverines also have a defensive coordinator vacancy with Don Brown having been dismissed in December.

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