Lou Esposito, formerly of Memphis, has inked a lucrative two-year contract to become the new defensive line coach for the Michigan Wolverines. Obtained through a public records request, the signed memorandum of understanding reveals that Esposito will earn a base salary of $500,000 in both 2024 and 2025. Additionally, he will receive a substantial $786,000 signing bonus and a $25,000 relocation stipend within 30 days of his hiring.
Esposito’s appointment fills the void left by Greg Scruggs, who resigned from the position following his arrest for allegedly operating a vehicle while intoxicated. Esposito brings a wealth of coaching experience to Ann Arbor, having served as defensive coordinator and defensive line coach at Western Michigan for seven seasons, from 2017 to 2023. During his tenure at WMU, Esposito’s pay reached $224,000 in his final year in Kalamazoo.
Prior to Western Michigan, Esposito served as the first head coach of Davenport University’s football program in Grand Rapids from 2014 to 2016. He also held the position of defensive coordinator at Division II Ferris State in 2013. As a player, Esposito was an offensive lineman for Memphis from 1997 to 2000. He then spent two seasons with the Memphis Xplorers of the now-defunct AF2, which was the former developmental system for the Arena Football League.
With his base salary, Esposito ranks as the third-lowest paid assistant on Michigan’s coaching staff this year, ahead of tight ends coach Steve Casula ($400,000) and special teams coordinator J.B. Brown ($350,000). However, his signing bonus helps to level the playing field financially.
