ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Since departing Ann Arbor as a player and then graduate assistant, Mike Elston has been some places and seen some things.
The second-year Michigan defensive line coach oversaw the front at Eastern and Central Michigan, before joining Brian Kelly at Cincinnati, and then his entirety at Notre Dame. Certainly, with the Irish, he’s coached some incredible defensive fronts.
In his second year in Ann Arbor, while he isn’t certain that this is the best Wolverine front seven of all time, he is sure that he has some incredible talent to work with.
“Yeah, I’m not sure, it’s my second year here. And for the last whatever it was 20-something years prior to that, 25 years prior to that, I was really kind of diving into my own world wherever I was,” Elston said. “But across the front and really even the front seven with Junior and Mike B. and Ernest Hausmann and then the edge position with Braiden and Derrick and Jaylen and Josaiah, Rayshawn Benny and Cam Goode — there’s guys, we can send waves at people and keep them fresh. But, also though this is a long season, too. So having guys that’ll be there at the end of the season, knowing that you have that kind of depth, it’s been a very, very impressive group for sure.”
While Elston isn’t positive that the Michigan defensive front is the best to ever grace Ann Arbor, there is one thing for sure: this is the best front he’s coached. Even given last year’s line, which also featured defensive tackle Mazi Smith and edge rushers Mike Morris and Eyabi Okie, that’s some high, high praise for what the Wolverines offer along the front lines of the defense.
“Anywhere I’ve been, yes, this is as good of a front that I’ve had the privilege of coaching, without a doubt,” Elston said. “I mean, from end to end, even at the second level, it’s an impressive front seven.”
The front line will get another chance to show out on Saturday night when Michigan football hosts Bowling Green at The Big House. The game will kick off at 7:30 p.m. EDT and will be broadcast on Big Ten Network.