RON BELLAMY

Michigan’s football program has just six commitments in its 2023 recruiting class, but activity is expected to pick up heading into spring and summer. One of the Wolverines’ top targets in the 2023 class is Miami (Fla.) Gulliver Prep four-star receiver Jalen Brown. SIZE: 6-foot-1, 160 poundsTHE BATTLE: Not surprisingly, Brown is one of the most coveted recruits in the country, boasting 34 reported offers. “The year before, everybody was like ‘Oh, they’re trash, Michigan this, Michigan that.’ But it was a COVID year. Has also gotten better and better at taking on defenders and making contested catches.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Jim Harbaugh’s assistant coaches at Michigan all received new contracts with pay raises in recent months, making Sherrone Moore and first-year defensive coordinator Jesse Minter the highest-paid on staff. Weiss, meanwhile, signed a new three-year contract on Feb. 24 that boosted his pay from $600,000 to $850,000 per year, with identical performance bonuses. The duo have a tall task ahead of them following the abrupt departure of Michigan offensive coordinator Josh Gattis, whose pay topped $1 million annually. • Running backs coach Mike Hart signed a new two-year contract on Feb. 22 that will pay him $550,000, up from the $430,000 in 2021. Michigan is coming off a successful 2021 season in which it finished 12-2, won the Big Ten championship and earned a College Football Playoff berth.

For the first time in the Jim Harbaugh era, Michigan plans to enter a season with two coaches in charge of the play calling. The role of offensive coordinator has been murky in previous years. “Co-coordinators, and we’re going to split the play-calling duties,” Harbaugh said last week on the “In the Trenches” podcast, confirming his plan unveiled earlier this month. More: Michigan football sets date for spring game; practice begins today“Sherrone is going to be, really, dedicated to still coaching the offensive line, which is a huge undertaking,” Harbaugh said. “The fortunate thing is, we’ve got Sherrone Moore, Matt Weiss, Mike Hart, Ron Bellamy — and adding Grant Newsome, who was also here last year,” Harbaugh said.

Jim Harbaugh has announced two new hires and several role adjustments for the 2022 Michigan football coaching staff.

Michigan football received five new commitments in one day Wednesday, boosting its 2022 recruiting class into the top 10 during the early signing period.

518 overall recruit in the 2022 class, according to the 247Sports Composite rankings, flipped his commitment from Notre Dame to Michigan on Wednesday. He becomes the second receiver in Michigan’s 2022 class but might not be the last. 131 recruit nationally, is expected to make his announcement at 3 p.m. Wednesday, and the Wolverines are believed to be the favorite. four-star receiver Tyler Morris, ranked No. The Wolverines’ 2022 class ranks No.

Michigan’s football program has landed one of the top in-state recruits in the 2023 class. West Bloomfield three-star receiver Semaj Morgan announced his verbal pledge to the Wolverines on Wednesday night in a post on social media, thanking family and coaches. Michigan safeties coach Ron Bellamy, who coached Morgan at West Bloomfield last season, was his primary recruiter. Morgan is coming off a stellar junior season, where he earned first-team all-state honors for 10-2 West Bloomfield. Morgan joins Richmond (Va.) Benedictine four-star defensive lineman and Ann Arbor Huron kicker Adam Samaha in Michigan’s 2023 class.

Michigan State just landed another top in-state prospect. Dillon Tatum, a 2022 four-star defensive back from West Bloomfield High School, announced his commitment to the Spartans on Wednesday night. Tatum has more than 30 offers, including Ohio State, Notre Dame and Florida, and in July said he was down to picking between Michigan State and Michigan. Despite Tatum having ties with Bellamy at Michigan, it was second-year Michigan State coach Mel Tucker who made a difference in his recruitment. The addition of Tatum means Michigan State has commitments from four of the top 10 2022 recruits in the state.

Games officially start tonight to kickoff the 2021 high school football season. Here are some key things to know about the football landscape in the Metro Detroit area as we head into and move through the season. Metro Detroit has two defending champsWest Bloomfield and Detroit Country Day head into the season with prestegious honor of being defending state champions. Melanie Maxwell | The Ann Arbor News ANN ARBOR NEWSANN ARBOR NEWSWill the Michigan High School Football Player of the Year award return to Metro Detroit? 1, Belleville, Cass Tech, Detroit King, Detroit Catholic Central and River Rouge are all in the top 10.

Before Ron Bellamy was hired in January as an assistant coach on Jim Harbaugh’s staff, he established West Bloomfield as a high school football powerhouse in Michigan. While Michigan is his first coaching position at the college level, Bellamy, a former Wolverines receiver from 1999-2002, believes he can bring a valuable component to the program’s recruiting efforts. “That’s one of the benefits of just taking the high school coach and bringing them along. I think I’m a little different than a high school coach because I was a former player as well. Makari knows it’s tough love; it’s always gonna be love and he experienced that in high school.

After winning a state championship last season, West Bloomfield assistant football coach Tyrice Grice wondered about the future. After coaching alongside West Bloomfield head coach Ron Bellamy for eight seasons, Grice played a key role in developing a culture that led West Bloomfield to its first state championship back in January. Originally recruited as a running back, he seems destined to play defensive back in college as Michigan and Michigan State appear to be the final two schools he will decide between. “We had a lot of depth last year, but that depth is coming to fruition and see how it goes from year.”On defense, West Bloomfield has just three returning starters back. Including last year’s shortened 11-1 season, West Bloomfield is 65-17 since the start of the 2014 season, which is good for a .792 winning percentage.

Harbaugh’s latest coaching hire should also further bolster the Wolverines’ recruiting efforts in the state. With assistant Maurice Linguist leaving for the head coaching job at Buffalo, Michigan has hired Kentucky defensive backs coach Steve Clinkscale for the same role in Ann Arbor. With Bellamy and Clinkscale’s strong recruiting ties to Michigan, the Wolverines should be able to put a stranglehold on recruiting their backyard. You’re gonna see an immediate impact with his (Clinkscale’s) presence now on staff in the state of Michigan and outside the region. He’s well-respected; he’s got many connections, he’s got plenty of ties to coaches, families, mentors, seven-on-seven coaches -- everyone you want to be connected to.

The original plan, Jim Harbaugh says, was for Ron Bellamy to coach the safeties when he came aboard the Michigan coaching staff in January. But also for Harbaugh to hire Matt Weiss, a familiar face who’s spent the last 12 years working his way up the Baltimore Ravens’ coaching staff — from quality-control coach to coaching the linebackers, cornerbacks and, most recently, the running backs. “Like I did throughout the entire process, I was looking at what coaches would be the best fit for us (and) best coach available,” Harbaugh told reporters Thursday. “That was the opportunity to hire Matt Weiss. “But that was the way I could configure it but also hire coach Weiss, who I know really good.

Ron Bellamy, who was hired on Jan. 25, also is switching roles and will now coach safeties instead of receivers. “He’s been through the fire,” The Michigan Insider’s Brice Marich said of Jean-Mary. Jean-Mary also was instrumental in landing four-star linebacker Junior Colson, the Wolverines’ highest-ranked defensive recruit in the class at No. The Wolverines also will have to build relationships that Jean-Mary had already established, namely Traverse City Central four-star linebacker Joshua Burnham, the No. Sign up for insight on the Wolverines for $4.99 a month (with a 60-day free trial) by texting 734-215-6605.

West Bloomfield football did not look far to find its next head coach as the school announced the hiring of Tyrice Grice on Wednesday. Grice takes over the head coach position after previous head coach Ron Bellamy left the position after getting hired by the University of Michigan to be the team’s next wide receivers coach. Prior to his hiring as head coach, Grice was an assistant in various capacities at West Bloomfield for the previous eight seasons, including assistant head coach, defensive coordinator, and linebackers coach. Prior to West Bloomfield, Grice coached at Detroit Renaissance (2010-11) and was the defensive coordinator at now closed Southfield-Lathrup (2008-09). “Laker Nation congratulates Coach Grice on being named as the head of our football program,” West Bloomfield athletic director Eric Pierce wrote in a release.

Ron Bellamy didn’t waste much time imparting his wisdom after taking the job as assistant coach at Michigan. “I said, ‘Listen, you are the alpha in this group,’’” Bellamy said this week on the “In the Trenches” podcast. His goal is to do the same at Michigan, a football program with mixed success in recruiting some of the state’s top players. The hope, for Michigan and for Bellamy, is to expand those relationships and improve their hit rate with high school football players in Michigan. “This state is rich in football,” Bellamy said.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Michigan football set off more recruiting fireworks on National Signing Day, flipping Michigan State defensive tackle commit Rayshaun Benny and Colorado defensive tackle commit Ikechukwu Iwunnah. Last week, they landed an important commitment from four-star defensive tackle George Rooks, the No. Perhaps the most high-profile announcement came Wednesday morning, as Michigan flipped Benny, the four-star Oak Park tackle, from rival Michigan State. When he didn’t sign with Michigan State during the early period, it was a sign that perhaps his recruitment wasn’t finished. Shaun Nua, Sherrone Moore and the rest of the defensive staff deserve credit for these recruiting wins.

On Monday, Jim Harbaugh announced the hire of Ron Bellamy, the long-time head football coach at West Bloomfield High School and former Michigan receiver, as wide receivers coach. Bellamy coached 11 seasons at West Bloomfield, culminating on Saturday with the school’s first championship. Bellamy will work alongside Josh Gattis, who will remain offensive coordinator and continue to work with the receivers. Michigan currently has three players from West Bloomfield on its 2021 roster, with highly-acclaimed running back Donovan Edwards joining the team this season. Early Monday, Bellamy took to Facebook to thank the West Bloomfield community, signaling his planned departure.

On Monday morning, the 6-foot-2, 235-pound athlete announced a top 10 comprising of Michigan, Michigan State, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Cincinnati, Ole Miss, Arizona State, Maryland and Syracuse. Williams is a consensus four-star recruit from West Bloomfield who can play defensive end, tight end and linebacker, giving him the “athlete” status by Rivals. Williams is one of two highly-ranked 2022 recruits from West Bloomfield with Michigan and Michigan State offers as four-star West Bloomfield RB/DB Dillon Tatum is a prime target for the Wolverines and Spartans too. Michigan just hired West Bloomfield head coach Ron Bellamy onto its coaching staff and added four-star 2021 West Bloomfield running back Donovan Edwards as an early enrollee. MORENew Michigan coaching hire Ron Bellamy writes goodbye to West Bloomfield after winning state titleMichigan football staff shakeup continues: Ed Warinner out for Ron Bellamy‘They can’t catch me’: Michigan signee Donovan Edwards runs wild in West Bloomfield’s state title winWatch West Bloomfield celebrate Division 1 state football title at Ford FieldMichigan recruit Donovan Edwards leads West Bloomfield to Division 1 state football title

Bellamy’s first season as head coach at West Bloomfield was in the fall of 2010. Bellamy got West Bloomfield to a state championship game in 2017, but fell to rival Clarkston, 3-2. Twelve years ago God sent me to West Bloomfield to do his work. Lastly, I would like to thank the leaders at West Bloomfield for the love and support that has been delivered every year. MOREMichigan football staff shakeup continues: Ed Warinner out for Ron Bellamy‘They can’t catch me’: Michigan signee Donovan Edwards runs wild in West Bloomfield’s state title winWatch West Bloomfield celebrate Division 1 state football title at Ford FieldMichigan recruit Donovan Edwards leads West Bloomfield to Division 1 state football title

A major staffing shakeup is happening on the offensive side of the ball at Michigan, Saturday evening reports say. Additionally, West Bloomfield High School coach and former Michigan football player Ron Bellamy has agreed to join the staff in an undisclosed role, likely on special teams, according to 247Sports. His contract expired on Jan. 11, and has not been renewed, leaving him as the odd-man out on staff. Stadium’s Brett McMurphy reports that Warinner is expected to depart, opening up a spot on the staff. He joins Josh Gattis, who will enter his third season as offensive coordinator at Michigan in 2021.

West Bloomfield 41, Davison 09:40: West Bloomfield forces another Davison punt and takes over on its 49. 5:39: Davison fumbles and West Bloomfield recovers but after a review Davison keeps possession because of a West Bloomfield defender was out of bounds when he touched the ball. — Hugh Bernreuter (@BernreuterHugh) January 23, 202110:16: After another short Davison punt, West Bloomfield takes over on its own 17. The game will feature perhaps the best running back in the state, Michigan recruit Donovan Edwards of West Bloomfield. MORE:How to watch Saturday’s state final gamesDavison trying to repeat as state championRecent rulings surprise MHSAA executive directorMLive readers predict state football champsIncrease in capacity too late for football finals

WEST BLOOMFIELD, Mich. – As the West Bloomfield football team prepares for the Division 1 state semifinals, a familiar obstacle awaits as it hopes to advance to the state championship for the first time since 2017. While this season’s matchup comes a round later, West Bloomfield (9-1) will once again travel to Belleville (10-0) to try and keep its championship hopes alive. Last season, Belleville claimed a 27-22 win. “When you get to this stage in the semifinals, everyone is going to be good,” West Bloomfield coach Ron Bellamy said. They’ve got a great football program.”Yet, West Bloomfield counters with plenty of talent of its own.

The roller coaster that is the 2020 Michigan high school football season hit a new low Tuesday, causing some to wonder what happened and how much more kids can stomach. “It’s like a yo-yo,” said West Bloomfield football coach Ron Bellamy, whose team is scheduled to host Romeo in a Division 1 regional final. These kids, they’re losing hope.”West Bloomfield coach Ron Bellamy fist-bumps Donovan Edwards (6) during their high school football game against Oak Park at Oak Park High School in Oak Park, on Friday, September 18, 2020. Michigan Center's Joe Olkowski (11) celebrates with coach Troy Allen during a MHSAA Division 6 district final high school football game in Jonesville on Friday, Nov. 13, 2020. More coverage:Michigan high school football put back on pause while officials work out COVID testing detailsMichigan high school football: Highlights, photos, links, more as practice resumes MondayMichigan high school football practice to return on Monday, fall sports allowed to finish seasonsBack on: Michigan high school football coaches react to Friday’s surprising news

Cornelius Johnson #6 of the Michigan Wolverines celebrate a fourth quarter touchdown during the game against the Michigan State Spartans at Michigan Stadium on November 16, 2019 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Michigan football has officially signed 20 new players, and the overwhelming theme of this roster is a stacked offense and a defense with major holes. Offensive firepowerThere will certainly be transfers, NFL draft declarations and possibly even some late additions to the roster before the 2021 season, but as it stands, Michigan’s offense looks completely loaded. All three were stars in high school and highly regarded during the recruiting process. Losing commit Quintin Somerville to UCLA on Wednesday was a major blow for the 2021 class, as now, Kechaun Bennett, T.J.

But the bad news stopped there, as the biggest announcement of the day went in Michigan’s favor. Four-star running back Donovan Edwards, of West Bloomfield High School, chose Michigan over Georgia, Oklahoma, Ohio State and dozens of other offers. That would not have been good news for Michigan, especially since a new defensive staff is likely to take over. Finally, three-star cornerback Ja’Den McBurrows went on Instagram Live and chose Michigan over hometown Miami. McBurrows had scholarship offers from Alabama, Georgia, LSU, Ohio State, Penn State, Florida State, Miami and many others.

RECRUITING: Michigan football’s depleted defense loses 2 of top commits on National Signing DayOn-field performance was the most obvious reason to believe Michigan could lose some of its top committed players. The Wolverines lost four of six games this season, including to in-state rival Michigan State and then-winless Penn State. Other than the Michigan State game, the losses weren’t even competitive. Michigan football recruiting: 4 victories, 2 major blows for 2021 class on National Signing DayEven Ja’Den McBurrows stuck with Michigan despite a full-court press from his hometown Miami Hurricanes, who enjoyed an 8-2 season. For Michigan to beat out those schools and sign Worthy, Edwards, Hood and McBurrows is a testament to the coaching staff’s ability to overcome enormous recruiting obstacles and keep the class together.

WEST BLOOMFIELD, Mich. – West Bloomfield running back Donovan Edwards -- a top 50 recruit and the No. 2 player in the state -- committed to Michigan football Wednesday over dozens of other programs. Edwards announced his decision on National Signing Day, choosing the Wolverines over programs such as Georgia, Oklahoma, Alabama, Auburn, Florida, LSU, Ohio State, Notre Dame, Oregon, Penn State, USC, Wisconsin and Michigan State. 2 player in Michigan, Edwards is ranked No. While Michigan was in the mix for Edwards the entire cycle, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Georgia and Oklahoma were also contenders.

UPDATE: Michigan lands top remaining 2021 target in West Bloomfield 4-star RB Donovan EdwardsFour-star running back Donovan Edwards of West Bloomfield is set to announce his commitment in an outdoor ceremony at 1:30 p.m. today. MLive will be live streaming the event at West Bloomfield High School’s football field. You can watch the live event on MLive’s Facebook page by clicking here. He has Michigan on his list of top seven schools along with Alabama, Notre Dame, Georgia, LSU, Penn State and Oklahoma. According to West Bloomfield coach Ron Bellamy -- who is a former Michigan player himself -- Edwards had 1,021 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns in nine games this season.

On Saturday, the West Bloomfield football team was celebrating a dominant 63-6 victory over Sterling Heights Stevenson to claim a Division 1 district championship. One day later, it all came to a screeching halt as the Michigan Department of Heath and Human Services and the Michigan High School Athletic Association issued a three-week partial shutdown that included high school sports. West Bloomfield coach Ron Bellamy and 2021 Kentucky cornerback commit Maxwell Hairston joined podcast host John Mackay Jr. of Infinity Podcast, LLC, and MLive local sports reporters Jared Purcell and Scott DeCamp to talk about the shutdown and West Bloomfield’s success during this uncertain season. “In the meantime, for those three weeks we’re off, we’re going to stay engaged. If you’re having trouble seeing the podcast on your device, click here to listen.

DETROIT – High School volleyball, swimming and football have all been put on hold in hopes of slowing the spread of COVID-19. High school football teams were just three wins away from becoming state champions, but the games are now in question as COVID-19 restrictions postpone the season. READ: Tracking coronavirus cases, outbreaks in Michigan schools“I think this is much different than where we were at last March and April,” Michigan High School Athletic Association Executive Director Mark Uyl said. But I also have to step back and look at the bigger picture,” Saline High School Head football coach Joe Palka said. You know, I don’t know how good it looks for, you know, high school athletics to just continue down that road when everybody else is sacrificing like crazy.

WEST BLOOMFIELD, Mich. Programs across the state knew it was a possibility, but as of Friday, its official: There will be no football season for Michigan schools. Im not only here speaking to you as the Director of the MHSAA, but as the parent of a senior football player, Mark Uyl said. We have done everything possible to find that pathway forward for our football kids this fall and we simply ran out of time with the evidence to be able to do that safely.For top high school programs, this is a blow. West Bloomfield High School Head Coach Ron Bellamy delivered the news during practice on Friday. My biggest worry is the academic side of things, football, sports in general makes a student more focused because they are scheduled.

WEST BLOOMFIELD, Mich. The coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis is constantly changing, but Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has permitted high school sports to resume practicing outside. Monday was the first day of football practice at West Bloomfield High School, and there are a lot of changes from last year. The West Bloomfield Lakers are physically back on the field, but practice is far from usual. Bellamy said the school is following guidelines set by the Michigan High School Athletic Association.

I went to Chippewa Valley to do a preview story with Head Coach Scott Merchant and the Big Reds a week earlier. I went out to Warren and talked with Head Coach Mike Giannone and the Pilots. De La Salle didnt help themselves when they fumbled on their first possession. De La Salle lost 41-7. He happens to be the Head Coach at West Bloomfield, the top team in the state.

I went to Chippewa Valley to do a preview story with Head Coach Scott Merchant and the Big Reds a week earlier. I went out to Warren and talked with Head Coach Mike Giannone and the Pilots. De La Salle didn’t help themselves when they fumbled on their first possession. De La Salle lost 41-7. He happens to be the Head Coach at West Bloomfield, the top team in the state.