Michigan head coach Kyle Whittingham continues to build out his staff in Ann Arbor, and the latest addition brings a wealth of experience and a familiar face to special teams coordinator Kerry Coombs.
Brian Knorr, the longtime defensive coach and former Air Force defensive coordinator, has officially joined the Wolverines as an assistant special teams coach. The move was confirmed by the program earlier this week and marks another step in Whittingham’s methodical approach to assembling a staff with both experience and chemistry.
Knorr, 62, is no stranger to the game-or to Coombs. The two previously crossed paths at Ohio State in 2016, when Knorr served as a special teams quality control coach. That shared history should help ease the transition as Knorr steps into a supporting role under Coombs, one of the most respected special teams minds in college football.
While Knorr’s most recent stint as Air Force’s defensive coordinator in 2025 ended on a down note-his unit finished 118th nationally-his track record prior to that tells a more complete story. From 2022 to 2024, Air Force’s defense was among the best in the country, posting national rankings of No.
40, No. 6, and even reaching No. 1.
That kind of turnaround speaks to Knorr’s ability to develop and adjust-a trait that should serve Michigan well in the third phase of the game.
Knorr’s connection to Air Force runs deep. He played quarterback for the Falcons from 1983 to 1985 before beginning his coaching career there in the early ’90s as an assistant offensive line coach.
Over the next three decades, he built a résumé that spanned multiple conferences and roles. He served as head coach at Ohio from 2001 to 2004, though his tenure there was a tough one, finishing with an 11-35 record.
Still, the experience of running a program adds another layer to the perspective he brings to Michigan’s sideline.
Stops at Wake Forest, Indiana, Arizona, and Ohio State have given Knorr a wide lens on the college football landscape. Now, he brings that experience to a Michigan team looking to maintain its national relevance under a new head coach with championship aspirations.
For Whittingham, this is another calculated hire-one that adds depth, experience, and familiarity to a staff that’s starting to take shape. And for Michigan, it’s another sign that the program is serious about all three phases of the game, with special teams continuing to be a point of emphasis.