Here’s the adapted version of the article, rewritten in our house voice - informed, analytical, and fan-friendly, with a clear focus on the coaching carousel, transfer portal rumblings, and recruiting updates:
Tony Alford Reportedly Joining Michigan Staff as Assistant Coach
The coaching puzzle in Ann Arbor is starting to take shape, and one key piece appears to be in place: Tony Alford is reportedly on board. That’s a significant move as Michigan works to solidify its staff heading into a pivotal offseason.
Assistant Coaching Situation: Some Movement, Some Holding Patterns
While the pace of assistant coaching hires hasn’t exactly hit warp speed, there are a few intriguing developments worth tracking.
The biggest tug-of-war seems to be unfolding around BYU offensive coordinator Jason Beck. Reports suggest it’s shaping up to be a true battle between Utah and Michigan for his services.
BYU is doing what it can to hold on, but the Wolverines are clearly in the mix. Meanwhile, Jay Hill’s situation is quieter but still worth watching.
There’s speculation that his buyout drops after January 1, which could explain the delay in any official announcements. BYU seems braced for his departure, but nothing’s final yet.
Also in the conversation: Iowa linebackers coach Seth Wallace. His name has surfaced again, and while there’s no direct connection to Kyle Whittingham, the fact that he’s being mentioned at all suggests there’s at least some smoke.
Wallace has deep roots in Iowa and Georgia, and Iowa made a strong move to keep him last year by naming him associate head coach. Still, if someone comes calling with a defensive coordinator title, he could be tough to retain.
That said, Michigan isn’t offering a DC role, so this one feels like a long shot - but as always in coaching searches, never say never.
Strength & Conditioning: Doug Elisaia Likely to Lead the Charge
On the strength and conditioning front, Doug Elisaia looks like the next man up. Elisaia brings a modern, data-driven approach to player development. Back in 2019, he described his philosophy as “scientific,” emphasizing the use of GPS tracking and load monitoring to optimize performance and reduce injury risk.
This isn’t your old-school “lift heavy and grind” mentality. Elisaia’s approach is tailored, position-specific, and grounded in performance science.
As he put it: “We’re not trying to build powerlifters here; we’re trying to enhance their ability to play their sport at a higher level.” That’s exactly the kind of forward-thinking mindset Michigan needs to keep pace in today’s game.
Utah Connections: Portal Watch Heating Up
With the coaching staff beginning to take shape, the next question is how that might impact roster movement - especially with potential portal entries from Utah and BYU.
One name that jumps off the page: edge rusher John Henry Daley. Daley just entered the portal after a standout season that included 11.5 sacks and 47 pressures, even with an Achilles injury that cut his year short.
He still managed to earn a 93 pass rush grade from PFF, which tells you just how disruptive he was when healthy. The catch?
He’s a junior, and Michigan reportedly has restrictions on recruiting third-year players. Still, Daley says he’ll be ready by spring, and if there’s a way around the eligibility hurdle, he’d be a major addition.
Other names to watch from Utah include cornerback Smith Snowden (also a junior), safety/nickel Tao Johnson, and tight ends Hunter Andrews and JJ Buchanan. Given Michigan’s current depth at tight end - with Klein, Tonielli, Hoffman, Marshall, Hansen, and Prieskorn all expected back - it’s unclear how much of a priority that position will be in the portal.
Recruiting: Salesi Moa Still in Play?
Wide receiver Salesi Moa is already signed, but the story may not be over. In a recent interview, Moa indicated he’s still considering other schools.
That’s notable - especially since he has family ties to Michigan target Lewis Powell and Utah WR coach Micah Simon. There’s even chatter from Utah circles suggesting Moa could flip to Michigan, but for now, that’s still in the rumor stage.
Definitely a situation worth monitoring as we head into the new year.
Class Status: Who’s In, Who’s Out, Who’s Still Deciding
The 2025 recruiting class continues to take shape, and it looks like linebacker Savion Hiter is solidly in the fold. That’s a positive development, and he’s not alone. Several other commits have reaffirmed their pledges, including:
IN:
- Savion Hiter
- Carter Meadows
- Travis Johnson
- Malakai Lee
- Tommy Fraumann
- Jamarion Vincent
- Alister Vallejo
- McHale Blade
- Jaylen Pile
- Markel Dabney
- Kaden Catchings
OUT:
- Bear McWhorter
- Brady Marchese
- Matt Ludwig
PENDING:
- Titan Davis
- Marky Walbridge
- Andre Clarke Jr
- Jordan Deck
- Tommy Carr
- Brady Smigiel
- Mason Bonner
- Aden Reeder
- Jonathan Brown
- Tariq Boney
- Adrian Hamilton
- Micah Drescher
There’s still some sorting to do, but the core of the class is holding strong. As the coaching staff continues to settle and portal activity ramps up, expect more clarity in the coming weeks.
Bottom Line:
Michigan’s offseason is just getting started, but the first dominoes are beginning to fall.
Tony Alford’s reported addition brings experience and credibility to the staff, while the pursuit of top assistants and portal targets shows that the Wolverines are aiming to reload, not rebuild. Keep an eye on Utah and BYU connections - both on the coaching and player fronts - as Michigan looks to solidify its identity heading into 2026.