Don Brown reportedly turns down Mississippi State offer as carousel continues

The coaching carousel gets a little crazier each year. And everyone seems to be involved.

Shortly after making the move from his position as Penn State's offensive coordinator to Mississippi State's head coach, Joe Moorhead shot for the stars with his defensive coordinator wish list.

Michigan defensive coordinator Don Brown.

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FootballScoop.com reported that Moorhead offered the job to Brown, who promptly turned it down. Moorhead and Brown worked on the same staff for one season at Connecticut in 2011.

Last December, Michigan made Brown one of the highest-paid assistant coaches in college football with a five-year deal that pays him $1 million annually. Brown can earn retention bonuses of $300,000 if he completes years one and two of his deal.

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He he completes years three and four, he'll receive two retention bonuses of $400,000. So, without other bonus money, Brown is scheduled to make $6.4 million from Michigan if he completes his five-year contract.

Speaking with reporters earlier this season, Brown was asked if he could see himself at Michigan for the rest of his career.

The 62-year-old defensive coach didn't make any bold proclamations, but he did say he's very happy in Ann Arbor.

"I love it here. I've said it a hundred times and I'll say it again," Brown said. "Coach (Jim Harbaugh) has a tremendous philosophy of how he coaches this game. I never have to worry about anything but coaching defense. What a beautiful job. That's all I can say.

"I work for the best head coach in the country. I get to practice my craft. And hopefully keep the kids happy. When they're not happy, then you've got to go. So, I don't know about the 'lifer' piece, but I'm enjoying every day. That's for sure."

Brown's defense finished No. 3 nationally through 12 games during the regular season in 2017. On Tuesday, 10 of his starters received All-Big Ten honors.

Eight of those players are scheduled to return to Michigan's defense next season.

Elsewhere, Moorhead's move to Mississippi State wipes out one spot where current Michigan passing game coordinator Pep Hamilton was reported as a candidate.

Hamilton is still reportedly a candidate for the vacant position at Arizona State.

Contact Nick Baumgardner: nbaumgardn@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @NickBaumgardner. Download our Wolverines Xtra app for free on Apple and Android devices!