Partridge Announced as Linebackers and Special Teams Coach
1/14/2016 12:00:00 AM | Football
Jan. 14, 2016
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- University of Michigan J. Ira and Nicki Harris Family Head Football Coach Jim Harbaugh announced Thursday (Jan. 14) that Chris Partridge has been permanently added to the coaching staff and will serve as the team's linebackers and special teams coach.
"Chris has a proven track record as a successful coach," said Harbaugh. "He has brought a lot of energy and enthusiasm to his work as our director of player personnel. I know that same passion will be exhibited in his work with our student-athletes."
"I came to Michigan because I wanted to work with the best and learn from the best," said Partridge. "I couldn't have a better mentor than Coach Harbaugh, who shares my vision that the student-athletes come first. I am honored by his confidence and for the opportunity to continue to serve this incredibility institution."
Partridge had been the team's director of player personnel in recruiting since joining the staff in January 2015 until Coach Harbaugh appointed him to coach the team's linebackers during the bowl season.
Competing against the No. 19-ranked University of Florida in the Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl on New Year's Day, Partridge helped coach the Wolverines to a convincing 41-7 victory. The stout Wolverine defense held the Gator attack to just 28 total yards of offense in the second half, including two yards in the third quarter. The team's two leading tacklers against Florida were both linebackers (Joe Bolden, 7; Desmond Morgan, 4).
Partridge came to Ann Arbor after serving as the head coach at New Jersey's Paramus Catholic High School, a position he held for five seasons (2010-14). While at the helm of the Paladin program, Partridge grew a football program listed 4,250th nationally and 112th in state of New Jersey to the top-ranked team in the state and No. 4 nationally by USA Today. He coached and mentored more than 30 Division I football players during that time, as well as various All-America players.
Prior to his stint at Paramus, Partridge served as the defensive line coach and assistant to the special teams at The Citadel in Charleston, South Carolina.
Partridge coached at his alma mater, Lafayette College, in Easton, Pennsylvania, as the secondary coach and assistant to the special teams coordinator.
Partridge earned his bachelor's degree in government and law from Lafayette College in 2003.
Communications Contact: Dave Ablauf, Chad Shepard
