Michigan football has zeroed in on Vanderbilt co-defensive coordinator and defensive line coachLarry Black as its new defensive line coach, sources told Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports / 247Sports. 

Black, who played at Indiana from 2009-13, coached the defensive line at Toledo from 2019-21 and was hired by the Commodores in 2022. He was elevated to co-DC in 2025, a year the program reached 10 wins for the first time ever. 

The IU alum hails from Cincinnati, Ohio. He played 48 career games with the Hoosiers. 

His Vanderbilt bio reads as follows: 

“Black’s 2024 unit played a significant role in the Commodores producing their first winning season and bowl victory in over a decade. The group saw improvement in nearly every category. The rushing defense improved from 104th nationally in 2023 to 52nd in 2024, while sacks improved from 101st to 64th.

“… In 2023, Vandy’s defensive line was led by the veteran duo of two-time captain Nate Clifton and Devin Lee, with the pair both ranking among the SEC’s top-20 defensive linemen in sacks and Pro Football Focus pass rush grade. Clifton’s 5.5 sacks were the most by a Commodore since Dayo Odeyingbo’s 5.5 in 2020.

“The Commodore defensive front worked through multiple injuries in 2022, including to captain Daevion Davis who played in just one game. Devin Lee, Nate Clifton and Christian James emerged as reliable contributors. James made 31 tackles, including 6.5 for loss, while Clifton had 22 tackles with three for loss and Lee recorded 13 tackles with 4.5 for loss.” 

Black replaces Lou Esposito, who left Michigan this offseason for the same role with the Baltimore Ravens. He will coach defensive tackles alongside Lewis Powell, who will lead the edge room. 

The Michigan defense will be called by Jay Hill, who joined the program from BYU. The new DC broke down some of the players he expects will stand out in Michigan’s defense this fall, including a pair of defensive tackles.

“I believe we have two of the best defensive tackles in college football right now: Enow Etta and Trey Pierce, those guys can play. And I think they’ve been very well coached,” he said. “Cam Brandt, good, really, really good defensive end. Dom Nichols. There’s some guys in the front I’m excited about.”

This story may be updated.