Michigan hires Durkin as Harbaugh's defensive coordinator

ANN ARBOR, Mich. (AP) - Michigan hired D.J. Durkin as its new defensive coordinator Thursday, reuniting him with new coach Jim Harbaugh.

Durkin was the first official addition to the coaching staff since Harbaugh was hired late last month to coach the Wolverines. In addition to being the defensive coordinator, Durkin will also coach Michigan's linebackers.

"D.J. is one of the top young defensive coordinators in football, and I look forward to having him work with our student-athletes," Harbaugh said. "He will make an excellent addition to our staff."

Durkin spent the past five seasons at Florida, including the last two as the Gators' defensive coordinator and linebackers coach. He was the interim head coach for Florida in the Birmingham Bowl last week after Will Muschamp was fired.

Durkin was on Harbaugh's staff at Stanford from 2007-09.

"Reuniting with Jim at the University of Michigan is an opportunity that I could not pass up," Durkin said. "We had some great times working together at Stanford, and I look forward to producing great results at Michigan. I look forward to coaching in the Big Ten after growing up in that footprint."

A native of Youngstown, Ohio, Durkin went to Stanford after two seasons on the coaching staff at his alma mater, Bowling Green. He was a four-year starter at Bowling Green from 1997-2000.