Michel began his college coaching career at Nicholls State University as defensive coordinator and defensive line coach from 1995 to 1998.[4][5] From 1999 to 2008, Michel became defensive line coach at the University of Louisiana-Monroe and became co-defensive coordinator along with Phil Elmassian in 2008.[4] At ULM, Michel worked under head coaches Bobby Keasler, Mike Collins and Charlie Weatherbie.[2][6] Starting with the 2009 season, Michel moved to McNeese State University as the defensive line coach and stayed at McNeese State through 2015.[7][8][9] Michel returned to the University of Louisiana–Monroe as defensive line coach in 2016 and stayed in that role until retiring after the 2017 season.[4][6] In 2020, Michel came out of retirement and took a position as assistant defensive line coach and defensive analyst at LSU.[10]