Gattis and McDonald Orange Bowl Interviews
December 28th, 2021 at 10:01 AM ^
With apologies to our DC Mike Macdonald.
December 28th, 2021 at 10:03 AM ^
Upvoted for acknowledgement.
December 28th, 2021 at 10:16 AM ^
Upvoted for your acknowledgement of my acknowledgement.
It's funny how you hurry to post something, thinking someone else is going to beat you to the punch. Then you have that little voice afterwards, wondering if you spelled "Macdonald" right. Then the horror to find out that you didn't and then the realization that your error is forever cemented in MGoBlog lore.
And all you can do is acknowledge it.
December 28th, 2021 at 10:40 AM ^
Found The_Acknowledge's burner account!
December 28th, 2021 at 1:05 PM ^
Yessssssssss.
December 28th, 2021 at 1:51 PM ^
Rudddock!!!
December 28th, 2021 at 10:21 AM ^
The one thing I gathered from Macdonald and his approach is he’s gonna be a hot commodity in the coaching world. I’m selfishly hoping he’s a settler and not a guy with aspirations that go beyond Michigan. What a great hire this guy was.
December 28th, 2021 at 10:24 AM ^
The only way he is staying is with a big ole bump and a promise of coach of the future but even then he would probably be waiting 15-20 years
December 28th, 2021 at 10:30 AM ^
Rest assured he has aspirations beyond being Michigan’s D-coordinator. The question based on all evidence so far is when will he go back to NFL as D coordinator or become a head coach in college or NFL. That’s ok, the JH pipeline (both Jim & John) appears to be pretty damn good and coming to work for either looks very attractive to many assistants and coordinators.
December 28th, 2021 at 10:38 AM ^
Man, there's just something about wanted MM to be here long term that I can't get out of my head!! Absolute stud coach and will be very desirable to other programs(think a more valuable Linguist).
December 28th, 2021 at 11:00 AM ^
A "settler"? There's no such football coach and certainly not at his age.
December 28th, 2021 at 10:40 AM ^
Was hoping I would be able to order the Josh Gattis meal at McDonald’s but a good interview is nice too!
December 28th, 2021 at 10:46 AM ^
What Coach Harbaugh did with the staff make over was and is remarkable. And its not just the new guys the holdovers like Gattis, Nua and Moore, Jay...all seem to be operating on a different level. It looked risky as hell to bring in a zero experienced DC and so many other pieces but then you just have to trust a guy with Harbaughs experience (and family and program ties) to find away to figure it out.
December 28th, 2021 at 10:54 AM ^
Holy Ufer, the narrative on Harbaugh has changed mightily. And am I ever glad.
I can only imagine how happy Bob would be right now, tears of joy and honking General Bo George Patton Schembechler's horn.
December 28th, 2021 at 11:07 AM ^
True the narrative has changed for many...but I've never doubted Coach. Didn't expect this degree of turnaround but I was confident that he'd figure it out..or die trying. Don't think anyone was better suited than JH.
December 28th, 2021 at 10:55 AM ^
Man, the first reporter to ask a question. Was that Farmer Fran from The Waterboy?
December 28th, 2021 at 12:13 PM ^
Gattis' Interview:
The reporters are really focusing on Haskins, and it is well deserved. First question to Gattis (and asked about during the player trio interviews). Blake's ankle/health was the 2nd question. I love the admiration/respect Gattis shares about Harbaugh...yet, the acknowledgement to perseverance. Respects Georgia D and dismisses the idea of a 'blueprint' based on a single matchup with Alabama. Battle adversity, wearing down the opponent, sustain success...positive plays even if explosive plays do not occur.
JJ grown to learn to play calm and relaxed, relying on the play-calling versus having to make the play. He has the perfect guy to look up to in Cade. The two have done a tremendous job. Cade is the old school junkyard down who out works everyone. The success on offensive comes from the cohesiveness and trust of the players. Key to explosive plays...explosive players.
Macdonald's Interview:
Reflection on Georgia days and the recommendation that led him to Baltimore. Jay cited as a big part of the internship connection that connected him to John.
Both Georgia QBs have command of the offense, and they complement each other (similar to us). Both good players. Chemistry between David and Hutch, Ojabo watched Aidan's approach and modeled after it. Was asked why he chose DC at 2-4 Michigan vs position coach in NFL on a successful team. More than halfway in, finally asked a second question about the Georgia players/matchup. Says they have great skill guys across the board, and they will be playing an interesting chess game to limit them. It's been a team effort, and 11 guys playing off each other. The success this year has come fast...Ross and Hutch had the hunger look in their eyes from the start and got the ball rolling. It's like they just started spring and now they're in Miami. A system is built on a foundation...so they focused on that and build. When you can hear a defense with your eyes closed and visualize what is happening, you know you have a defense that understands what it is doing.
My Impressions:
All interviews I have heard pre-Orange Bowl have come across as professional and focused. I can only imagine that the coach's cohesiveness, attention to detail, and respect for each other has trickled down into the identity of the team (as being witnessed in the player interviews). That, and the media still doesn't really know what to ask about the matchup.
December 28th, 2021 at 12:37 PM ^
Very good summary. Thank you!
Media does not ask good questions about the upcoming. The feelingsball crap irritates me. Good commentary on Georgia TE. I see a Belichick approach and take away this option. Forcing Georgia to use other options and limiting their run game will help Defense quite a bit. We will see how that goes. He sounds confident.
Gattis sounds very giddy. I feel like he has things up his sleeve and wants to unleash it this Friday. At least I want to believe that is what I saw.
Going to be a great matchup.
December 28th, 2021 at 1:00 PM ^
I kind of noticed that in regard to Gattis as well. But truthfully, both coaches seemed ridiculously calm and business like. This team is hungry.
December 28th, 2021 at 5:27 PM ^
I was pretty baffled at how little football talk there was for Macdonald. “Can you tell us what it is like to be so young?”