The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
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JUNE/JULY 2025 ❱ THE WOLVERINE 53 ❱ WHERE ARE THEY NOW? Kinnel grew as the program did, play- ing on teams that won 28 games in his first three years in Ann Arbor. He carved out a role as a core special-teamer early in his career, playing eight games his freshman season and all 13 games at safety and on special teams during the 2016 campaign. Kinnel was one of the breakout players of the 2017 season, earning the team's Most Improved De- fensive Player award and grabbing All- Big Ten honorable mention accolades from the coaches and media. He fin- ished the year with 70 tackles, 11 pass breakups, 5.5 tackles for loss and 2 in- terceptions, including a pick six in a win over Cincinnati. His strong 2017 set him up to be a team leader heading into the 2018 sea- son, when he was voted a Michigan team captain. Kinnel went through his senior season making 13 starts, recording 74 tackles with 3 tackles for loss and earn- ing all-conference honorable mention recognition for the second year in a row. The U-M captainship is something that will stick with him forever. "I think it's a great honor," Kinnel said. "As a kid, when you try to work so hard to reach your dreams and you actu- ally get there, there's still more to ac- complish once you get there. And I feel like I was able to do that. I had a good career at Michigan, four years. "To be the team captain, that's a pretty big deal to me and my family." Kinnel had a brief pro career after his time at U-M, signing with the Cincin- nati Bengals as an undrafted free agent in 2019 and the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2020. He was also an eighth-round pick of the DC Defenders in the XFL before the league suspended its opera- tions in April 2020. Since then, Kinnel has moved into high school coaching and is the defensive coordinator at Middletown (Ohio) High School as well as a strength and conditioning coach. "I always enjoyed the game," Kinnel said. "I feel like I was always one of the leaders on the field. I was very vo- cal, trying to be a leader. I just tried to get into teaching and coaching younger kids that I felt could use that extra help. Kids are able to get coached by a former college athlete or a former NFL athlete as they're growing up. And I felt like that could be my purpose. I just kind of fell in love with it." Kinnel was a natural player leader during his time at Michigan, but the mentality changed a bit when work- ing into his new role as a high school coach. Now tasked with being a men- tor to younger men, there is a lot more perspective and life lessons to apply to leading the way. "It's very different, from a player aspect to coach aspect," Kinnel said. "When you're playing and you've got certain things going, you see things differently. Now, it is a little bit more detailed. As a coach, you've got to have your eyes open to the bigger picture than being a player when you're laser- focused on yourself." Kinnel's progression from football player to coach and father was helped by the time he spent at U-M, learn- ing how to manage his time and what to prioritize. It is an experience that he remains grateful for as he contin- ues down the path he has laid out for himself. "I feel like Coach Harbaugh al- ways had a structured schedule that helped me, seeing the type of sched- ule he would put out for spring, sum- mer workout or fall camp," Kinnel said. "Everything was on time. I try to use that and my ability when it comes to being in life, being a teacher, being a coach, because if the younger guys see structure, they're going to want to go and be the best they could be." ❑ Kinnel is now a strength and conditioning coach as well as the defensive coordinator for the Middletown (Ohio) High football team. PHOTO COURTESY TYREE KINNEL ❱ The Tyree Kinnel File Michigan Accomplishments: Four-year let- terman (2015-18) ... Two-time All-Big Ten hon- oree (honorable mention, coaches and media, 2017-18) ... Received 2017 Most Improved Defensive Player award from U-M … Had 162 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss and 2 interceptions in 46 career games … Voted team captain in 2018. Professional Accomplishments: As an un- drafted free agent, signed with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2019 … Eighth-round pick in 2020 XFL Draft by the DC Defenders … Spent 2020 offseason with Pittsburgh Steelers ... Defen- sive coordinator at Middletown (Ohio) High. Favorite Spot On Campus: "Honestly, I couldn't just pick one. The State Street en- vironment, atmosphere, Main Street when you're out just hanging out with the guys." Favorite Michigan Memory: "Being named a captain by my teammates." Family: Zara Kinnel (daughter). They Said It: "He seemed like a guy who was screaming 'Get me on the field, Coach.' Not in a vocal way or coming in and demanding more playing time, but in the best way. By what he did on the field and how he was competing at practice. So, I listened. We listened." — Jim Harbaugh On Playing Kinnel As A True Freshman In 2015