Jim Herrmann


James Herrmann is an American football coach and former player. He was most recently the defensive coordinator for the New York Guardians of the XFL. Prior to that, he was linebackers coach for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League and the Bowling Green Falcons football team. He played college football at the University of Michigan from 1980 to 1982 and served as an assistant football coach at Michigan from 1985 to 2005, including nine years as defensive coordinator from 1997 to 2005. After the 1997 Michigan Wolverines football team won the national championship, Herrmann received the Frank Broyles Award as the top assistant coach in the nation. He also served as the New York Jets' linebackers coach from 2006 to 2008.

Early years

Herrmann was born in 1960 and raised in Dearborn Heights, Michigan. He attended Divine Child High School in Dearborn. He played defensive end for Divine Child football team.

Playing career

Herrmann enrolled at the University of Michigan in 1979 and played college football as an inside linebacker for head coach Bo Schembechler's Michigan Wolverines football teams from 1980 to 1982. He started one game at inside linebacker for the 1980 Michigan team, but was otherwise a backup to Andy Cannavino, Paul Girgash, and Mike Boren. In three years at Michigan, Herrmann compiled 65 tackles and three pass breakups.

Coaching career

In 1985, Herrmann returned to the University of Michigan as an assistant football coach. He was promoted to the status of a full-time assistant coach at age 29 in December 1989. His responsibilities included linebackers and special teams. In December 1996, following the departure of Greg Mattison, Herrmann took over as Michigan's defensive coordinator. In December 1997, after Michigan completed an undefeated season ranked #1 in the AP Poll, and having led the nation in total yards, scoring and pass efficiency, Herrmann won the Frank Broyles Award as the year's top assistant college football coach.
In 2004, the Michigan defense gave up 279 points, including 75 points in losses to Ohio State and Texas in the final two games. Criticism of Herrman grew during the 2004 season and became even more heated as Michigan lost five games, compiled its worst record in 21 years, and gave up 244 points in 2005. In February 2006, Herrmann left Michigan to accept a position as linebackers coach with the New York Jets. The Michigan Daily reported at the time that it was not clear whether "Herrmann chose to leave or fled before could be fired or demoted."
Herrmann served as the linebacker coach for the New York Jets from 2006 to 2008. In January 2009, he was hired as the linebackers coach for the New York Giants. On January 14, 2016, Herrmann was hired as the linebackers coach for the Indianapolis Colts.
In February 2019, he was named associate head coach and linebackers coach for Bowling Green, but instead joined the New York Guardians of the XFL as defensive coordinator.

Personal life

Herrmann is married to May Chamoun. He has three children: Jessica, Cory, and Timothy.