Michigan Football Hires New Defensive Tackles Coach from SEC

Larry Black, previously at Vanderbilt, joins the Wolverines' coaching staff under new head coach Kyle Whittingham.

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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Michigan football has hired Larry Black as its new defensive tackles coach. Black spent the last four seasons as the defensive line coach at Vanderbilt, where he also served as the run defense coordinator in 2025 and was recently promoted to co-defensive coordinator for the 2026 season. He has previous coaching experience at Notre Dame and Toledo, and played college football at Indiana.

Why it matters

The hiring of Black fills a key vacancy on the Michigan coaching staff after the departure of former defensive tackles coach Lou Esposito, who left to take a job with the Baltimore Ravens. Black's experience in the SEC and his recent success in improving Vanderbilt's defense make him an intriguing addition to the Wolverines' staff as they look to build on their strong 2025 season under new head coach Kyle Whittingham.

The details

Black, 36, spent the past four seasons as the defensive line coach at Vanderbilt, where he also added run defense coordinator duties in 2025 and was recently promoted to co-defensive coordinator for the 2026 season. Prior to Vanderbilt, he served as a graduate assistant and assistant defensive line coach at Notre Dame from 2016-2018, and was the defensive line coach at Toledo from 2019-2021. As a player, Black was a four-year letterman at Indiana from 2009-2013, finishing his college career with 127 tackles in 48 games.

  • Black spent the last four seasons (2022-2025) as the defensive line coach at Vanderbilt.
  • In 2025, Black added the role of run defense coordinator at Vanderbilt.
  • Black was recently promoted to co-defensive coordinator at Vanderbilt for the 2026 season.

The players

Larry Black

The 36-year-old Black is the new defensive tackles coach for the Michigan Wolverines, having previously served in coaching roles at Vanderbilt, Notre Dame, and Toledo.

Kyle Whittingham

The new head coach of the Michigan Wolverines football team, hired in January 2026.

Lou Esposito

The former defensive tackles coach at Michigan, who departed to take a job with the Baltimore Ravens' defensive line under new head coach Jesse Minter.

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The takeaway

The addition of Larry Black as Michigan's new defensive tackles coach brings in an experienced SEC coach who has a track record of improving defensive units. His promotion to co-defensive coordinator at Vanderbilt also suggests he is ready to take on a more prominent role, which could benefit the Wolverines as they look to build on their strong 2025 season under new head coach Kyle Whittingham.