Minnesota Football: Offensive line coach Ed Warinner leaving for Michigan

Offensive line coach Ed Warinner is reportedly leaving Minnesota after accepting an offer to coach at Michigan under Jim Harbaugh. Since no official announcement has been made, his specific role is unknown at this time. The news was first reported FootballScoop earlier this afternoon, then by Fox Sports’ Bruce Feldman a few hours later.

He departs Minneapolis after coaching one season under P.J. Fleck.

Personally, I am disappointed but not surprised to see Warinner go. From the moment he was hired, there has been constant chatter that Minnesota was going to be little more than a stop-gap for Warinner after being pushed out as offensive coordinator at Ohio State. I’m disappointed because he seemed to have the Gophers’ offensive line trending in the right direction, even with limited bodies at the position last season.

Fortunately, the Gophers have a potential replacement already waiting in the wings. Current tight ends coach Brian Callahan spent four seasons as offensive line coach under Fleck at Western Michigan, so I would not be surprised if he shifts back to the offensive line, leaving the tight ends coach position open instead.

If Callahan indeed vacates the tight ends coach position, Clay Patterson might take his place. The former head coach at Northeastern Oklahoma A&M was recently added to the coaching staff as an offensive assistant, but his specific role was not included in the hiring announcement. It’s possible Fleck was aware that Warinner would be heading elsewhere and added Patterson in a preemptive move, but that is speculation.

We’ll keep you updated as we learn more about new coaching hires or members of the current coaching staff who will also be departing. Fingers crossed for none of the latter.