The Michigan Wolverines are heading into what could be a critical year for Jim Harbaugh. Five straight years as head coach have yielded zero conference titles and only one bowl win. Improving the defense is going to be a priority, so Harbaugh is bringing in an experienced hand to help out.

According to Chris Vannini of The Athletic, the Wolverines are hiring Albany defensive coordinator Keith Dudzinski as an analyst. Dudzinski has significant experience working with Michigan defensive coordinator Don Brown.

In Don Brown’s stints with Brown University, UMass, Northeastern, and Maryland, Dudzinski followed him each time. During his time under Brown, Dudzinski served as a linebackers coach and a defensive coordinator.

Dudzinski was also the defensive coordinator at Maryland during the 2015 season after coaching the Terps’ linebackers from 2011-14.

Source: Michigan is adding Albany defensive coordinator Keith Dudzinski as an analyst, a person with knowledge of the situation tells The Athletic. Dudzinski worked under Don Brown at UMass. — Chris Vannini (@ChrisVannini) February 16, 2020

Michigan’s defense has given up more and more points per game each of the last four seasons. Last season was the first year under Harbaugh that the Wolverines gave up an average of over 20 points per game.

Granted, 91 of those points game in combined losses to Ohio State and Alabama. But whatever problems the Wolverines have on defense need to be resolved as soon as possible if they have any hope of challenging Ohio State for the Big Ten East crown.

Will the Michigan defense improve in 2020?