Brian Jean-Mary reviews his return to Michigan football and takes down the Wolverines’ linebacker room

Michigan Football signed Brian Jean-Mary, who previously worked for the Wolverines in 2020, to restructure its defensive coaching staff.

Michigan football hired Brian Jean-Mary, who previously worked for the Wolverines in 2020 before moving on to Tennessee for three years, to rebuild its defensive coaching team. Jean-Mary takes over as linebackers coach and defensive run game coordinator at Michigan, where he intends to keep the school competitive.

Jean-Mary (pronounced ZHAHN-muh-REE) previously coached defense at Louisville (2010-13), Texas (2014-16), USF (2017-19), Michigan (2020), and Tennessee (2021-23). During his time with the Cardinals, he worked alongside Sherrone Moore and established himself as a successful recruiter and player developer.

This week, Jean-Mary appeared on Brian Boesch’s “In the Trenches,” a Michigan Athletics podcast, to discuss his return to Michigan and preview a linebacker room that will replace starters Junior Colson and Michael Barrett. Here is what he stated:

Brian Jean-Mary on his decision to return to Michigan:

The first thing was, of course, being a distant admirer of the program’s achievements over the last three years. Even after I’ve departed, I tell everyone about my good memories of my stay here. So I’m just watching as a fan. As a college football coach, you sometimes don’t get to watch other teams because you’re so invested in your own. But when Michigan was on television, I had the opportunity to observe him and admire the program, the direction it was taking, and, of course, the ultimate result of what they were able to do last year. So it was a difficult decision to leave Tennessee.

But I tell everyone: there’s a reason Michigan is called Michigan. It’s the finest of the best, and the opportunity to return and coach alongside Coach Moore, whom I much like, and the program as a whole was too fantastic to pass up.

On his memory of Sherrone Moore when they overlapped at Louisville:

Even as a GA, Coach Moore’s most important contribution was his professionalism. You witnessed dedication and the ability to connect with both team members and coaches. You saw a bright future. And that is the ability to bring out the best in people.

But the most important thing about Coach Moore was that he was always the same person. It may appear simple, but it might be difficult in this field. Always entered with a smile on his face. He was demanding on the players even as a young coach, and they respected him for it. And he got the most out of his teammates. Even when the change occurred, it felt natural since the guys regarded him as a graduate assistant.

On his to-do list after being hired and before spring football started:

Coaching is coaching. There’s always X’s and O’s; there’s fantastic coaches everywhere you go. The number one priority for me, and I believe for the entire defensive staff, was simply getting to know the players. I know that after making such a deep run and winning the national championship, this team has a brotherhood and togetherness that is unlike any other. We wanted to make sure we could dig right in, get to know the players, and let them know we were there for them.

We want them to continue their success while we are a part of it. So that was our primary responsibility as coaches, as well as my own.

And I’m not just talking about the linebacker corps. I’m referring to everyone on defense and offense, as well as all of the building’s support staff. Because it was a collective effort. You could see that everyone was rowing the boat in the same direction. And that is what it takes to run a championship-level program. We wanted to get involved and put our own twist on it while remaining true to ourselves. However, if it isn’t broken, you shouldn’t fix it.

On getting acquainted with DC Don “Wink” Martindale:

He’s one of the most regarded coaches in football. I’ve always admired him from a distance. Several of my good friends have worked with him at various locations, and I’ve had the opportunity to teach players who have played under him. They chant his praises from coast to coast, not just for his football abilities and as a defensive coordinator, but also for who he is personally. So it is a delight. He’s one of the other reasons why this opportunity is such a blessing in my view, because you get to work with [someone] who I believe is one of the best coaches in all of football.

On Michigan linebacker Ernest Hausmann, who leads the Wolverines in returning production at the position:

Ernest has been wonderful since the first time I had the opportunity to sit down and speak with him about his background. I try to inform youngsters about my heritage by simply telling them that I am an open book. Ernest could easily be considered last year’s third starter. He played a lot, which indicates how much respect the previous staff had for him. He’s taken on a significant leadership role this season. I believe he recognizes how much Mike Barrett and Junior Colson contributed here last year, and he wants to continue that leadership role.

He also understands how much output was lost. So he’s been the main guy plucking some of these younger and inexperienced guys and bringing them up to speed on what it means to play defense at Michigan.

On linebacker Jaishawn Barham, who transferred to Michigan from Maryland:

The big thing about Jaishawn is that he was obviously a high-level athlete and player who was one of the best linebackers in the country coming out of high school in the DMV region. We actually recruited him at my prior job.

The experience is coming in. We have actual game tape that shows him playing at a high level. I think the most important thing about Jaishawn and what you can respect is that he does come in with some Big Ten stripes, but you wouldn’t know it from walking into the building. He wants to immerse himself in this Michigan atmosphere and wants to be a part of the Michigan defense. And with that mindset, I expect him to have a fantastic year and become even more productive while wearing the Maize and Blue.

On the rest of the Michigan linebacker room as spring football begins:

That’s what makes a spring ball unique. You will always miss the production of the two gentlemen we mentioned, Colson and Barrett. However, I believe that a clean slate for a room full of hungry, younger men makes for an excellent environment.

They are excellent illustrations of the culture that has developed here, in which you must earn for everything you receive. Everything was earned. And they’ve been unbelievable. And I can recall names we’ve discussed previously, such as Ernest and Jaishawn.

Jimmy Rolder had some solid snaps and participated in a few games last season. I think he has the potential to be a very prolific player. I liked what I saw from him. Jaydon Hood, another veteran in the room, has patiently waited his turn. I believe he has a great opportunity to help us next year because he has the necessary experience. He has also been in numerous important circumstances in games. So those two are some of the older players who played a little last season.

But I’m particularly enthused about some of the younger kids. I believe Christian Boivin is a high-level special teams player who will carve out a niche in the linebacker room.

Micah Pollard is another player who I believe fans would be enthusiastic about because he has shown some sparks but has to improve his consistency. He’s a fantastic athlete who is still learning the linebacker position, but you can see some of his progress on tape and by watching him run around and meeting with him over the last several weeks.

And I’d be remiss not to include some of the newest members of the program, Semaj Bridgeman and Jason Hewlett, who are both incredibly active and athletic. We’re going to toss them in the fire and see what happens this spring.

And then we have two mid-years who I believe have the potential to be quite good: Cole Sullivan and Jeremiah Beasley.

We have a nice group, and I try not to miss anyone. Hayden Moore, the other youngster who has been decent, comes up and greets and is expecting a spring from. I believe he has an opportunity to do some positive things and see if he can be one of the players who gets on the bus and helps us play at a high level of defense while also assisting us on special teams.

On his approach as a recruiter:

The most important component of the recruitment environment is still relationships; it is still attempting to create a relationship with someone, even with the NIL aspect and the Transfer Portal. You still have to be honest with children and their families.

And you must be completely truthful so that people comprehend both the good and the negative. Because we often only show them the positive aspects of the program when recruiting. And then the problems arise if they arrive or are attempting to make a decision and believe you have not been transparent.

So I tell everyone that I am going to be the most honest recruiter I can be. Obviously, I’ll tell them about all of the positives, but I’ll also tell them about the areas where we need to improve as a program, as a staff, and as a team. But I also tell them what they need help with, whether it’s as a football player or on a personal level. We constantly discuss not just a four-year strategy, but a 40-year plan. We always incorporate the life aspect into the hiring process.

And I believe the kids appreciate it, even if they don’t always like hearing it. They know we have their best interests at heart.