Michigan Football Loses Defensive Line Coach to NFL's Baltimore Ravens

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Michigan football's defensive line coach Lou Esposito is leaving the program to take an assistant coaching job with the NFL's Baltimore Ravens, just weeks after being retained by new Michigan head coach Kyle Whittingham. Esposito's departure comes as the Ravens have hired former Michigan defensive coordinator Jesse Minter to oversee their defense, and Minter has decided to bring Esposito with him to the NFL.

Why it matters

Esposito's departure is a significant loss for the Michigan football program, as he was one of the few coaches retained by new head coach Kyle Whittingham. His move to the NFL's Ravens speaks to his coaching abilities, but it also leaves a hole on Whittingham's staff that will need to be filled ahead of the upcoming spring practice season.

The details

Esposito had been the defensive line coach at Michigan since 2019. He was one of only two assistant coaches retained by Whittingham when he took over the program in January 2026. Esposito's departure comes as the Ravens have hired former Michigan defensive coordinator Jesse Minter to oversee their defense, and Minter has decided to bring Esposito with him to the NFL.

• Esposito was retained by new Michigan head coach Kyle Whittingham in January 2026.
• Michigan football's spring practice season is scheduled to begin on March 17, 2026.

What’s next

It would not be a surprise to see Whittingham give defensive end coach Lewis Powell more responsibility over the whole defensive line as a result of Esposito's departure.