Another member of Jim Harbaugh‘s staff is departing the University of Michigan.
Illinois head coach Bret Bielema announced that Mark Taurisani haas been hired as chief of staff and assistant athletics director. He’d spent the last three seasons serving as Director of Operations for Michigan Football under Harbaugh, who is still surrounded in rumors regarding his future in Ann Arbor.
Welcome to the #Illini, Assistant AD/Chief of Staff @MarkTaurisani!
📝 » https://t.co/Flnm63H84H pic.twitter.com/KxgtIAcBZ3
— Illinois Football (@IlliniFootball) January 4, 2021
Along with this new opening, the Wolverines also have a vacancy at the defensive coordinator position following last month’s dismissal of Don Brown.
Here’s what Taurisani, who has worked with Bielema for several years in the past, had to say:
“I’m excited to join Coach Bielema’s staff and help build a championship program the alumni and fan base will be proud of,” Taurisani said in a statement. “Coach Bielema’s passion for the state of Illinois and his track record of developing young men on and off the field is a perfect fit for Illini Football. I’m also looking forward to the opportunity of working alongside Tim Knox, who is highly regarded as one of the best in the business. Together, we aim to improve all aspects of the football program. My family and I are looking forward to our move to Champaign-Urbana and joining a first-class university and athletics department.”
– – Quotes via Jeremy Werner of 247Sports Link – –