Mark Snyder

Detroit Free Press

Jim Harbaugh's Michigan football coaching staff lost another body.

Special teams coordinator John Baxter has returned to USC, where he was a longtime coach, the Trojans announced tonight.

Baxter was a major impact coach on Harbaugh's staff, pushing U-M's special teams efficiency to No. 1 in the nation in the middle of the season and finishing at No. 12.

Baxter came to U-M last year after spending nearly his whole career on the West Coast, including working at USC from 2010-13, so he had roots and his family remained on the West Coast.

Having a dedicated special teams coach was not a regular feature on Michigan's previous staffs, but Baxter was considered one of the best in the business.

U-M kick and punt coverage suffered in the second half of the season, but its return game was the best in a decade and kicker Kenny Allen was strong, hitting 18 of 22 field goals. Baxter also recruited Australian grad transfer Blake O'Neill and convinced him to come to Michigan.

U-M coach Jim Harbaugh was looking for an assistant position for player personnel director Chris Partridge, so this may be his opportunity.

Contact Mark Snyder atmsnyder@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter at @mark__snyder.

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