The man behind the approach that helped Michigan score six touchdowns against Ohio State this past season is heading for a new, much warmer home.
Michigan offensive coordinator Josh Gattis is leaving Ann Arbor to accept the same role on Mario Cristobal's staff with the Miami Hurricanes.
BREAKING: Michigan OC Josh Gattis is accepting the Miamis offensive coordinator job, per source. The 38-year-old Gattis who helped the Wolverines to the Big Ten title in 2021, won the Broyles Award as the nations top assistant coach. Big addition for the Canes.
— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) February 6, 2022
Gattis won the Broyles Award as the top assistant coach in college football last season, orchestrating the physical and controlling offense that gave Ohio State trouble at the end of November and led Michigan to a berth in the College Football Playoff. Under Gattis’ leadership, the Wolverines ranked 16th in scoring offense and 24th in total offense in 2021.
Gattis told Michigan players in a text message that he chose to leave Michigan to become an offensive coordinator elsewhere because he did not feel appreciated by the administration – likely related to rumors that running backs coach Mike Hart, not Gattis, would have been the top internal candidate to replace Jim Harbaugh if Harbaugh had left for the NFL.
The full text message, as obtained by Angelique Chengelis of The Detroit News:
“Fellas, it’s with a broken heart i write this," the text read. "I am resigning my position here at Michigan to go to another university. I have given everything i have to you guys and michigan. I sacrificed so much personally to stand in the fight with each of you which i would never take back. Unfortunately the past few weeks has told a different story to me about the very little appreciation i have here from administration. In life i would never advise anyone to be where they are not wanted and i owe that to my family and my integrity to hold myself to this standard! I Love each and every one of you to the bottom of my heart. Our memories will never be forgotten but our struggles is what makes us who we are today it’s what grew this love and will forever hold it together! i am the biggest fan of you, and biggest friend of you. Most importantly I am one phone call always if you need anything ever. Love you guys!"
While Harbaugh is staying at Michigan after interviewing for the Minnesota Vikings’ head coaching job, the Wolverines must now replace both of their coordinators after defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald left to take the same role with the Baltimore Ravens.
Gattis becomes the second coordinator Cristobal has poached from the Big Ten, as he hired Kevin Steele earlier this week just days after Steele agreed to become the defensive coordinator at Maryland.
