Kirk Campbell Is Your New Offensive Coordinator, Other Bits
This qualifies as expected news:
Michigan is expected to name Kirk Campbell as its new offensive coordinator, sources tell @247sports.
— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) February 2, 2024
Campbell was Michigan’s QB coach in 2023 and helped JJ McCarthy emerge as a potential first-round pick. Was also interim OC for the team’s win over ECU.https://t.co/dJORJ80Uo5 pic.twitter.com/bnWWEChmBj
My reaction to this is ¯\_(ツ)_/¯.
Campbell's quick ascent from analyst to QB coach to OC is either a sign he's really that dude or sort of a mediocre default hire, and nobody knows which one it is. Two weeks ago people were muttering about Zachary Orr maybe not having enough experience to be the DC at Michigan and now he's the Ravens' DC. Meanwhile it's difficult to evaluate his impact in a single year as a QB coach. Yes, JJ McCarthy was pretty good. He was going to be pretty good no matter who Michigan had at QB coach.
[After THE JUMP: more coachbits]
Michigan still hasn't actually hired anyone to replace the guys who have left; they've announced a couple of internal promotions. That leaves at least four slots open (Harbaugh, Minter, JayBaugh, and Partridge all need to be replaced) in on-field coaching roles.
Moore is also apparently searching for a director of player personnel. This role evidently existed under Harbaugh since there's an article from 2022 naming Tom Gamble the DPP, but this is my first encounter with the name "Tom Gamble" so it's probably safe to say that Moore is going to be placing more emphasis on having a guy who's in charge of scouting/recruiting/all that stuff. Michigan went after Notre Dame's DPP and managed to get that guy a nice contract; Rivals is now reporting that the next guy they're looking at is Iowa State's DPP. That seems like a good idea since ISU has been punching above its weight for a while now.
As far as on-field openings: it seems like Michigan is set on continuing with its Ravens-esque approach, as Sam Webb said on last week's Roundtable, and will attempt to find an external, probably NFL-based replacement for Minter. Jim Leonhard will not be the pick, per Webb. There have not been any names floated for position coaches aside from the usual "hey, this guy went to Michigan and is a coach" shots in the dark.
February 2nd, 2024 at 1:34 PM ^
It feels like they won't fill the defensive openings at linebackers or safety until after the defensive coordinator is picked (who will presumably want some say in who takes those jobs)
February 2nd, 2024 at 1:34 PM ^
Totally fine with this hire. Campbell has called plays and designed gameplans. He's been part of a collaborative scheme. He's seen the good (and the bad) things the Harbaughffense can do. I'm sure he has his own ideas. He worked at Penn State for a time when Joe Moorhead was there. He can recruit some. Reportedly has or had a strong rapport with JJ, with Jadyn Davis, with the rest of the QB room.
No idea who is out there that would want the job that would fit the definition of a splash hire, and given what he have on the roster, someone with a solid grounding in SMASH is a great fit.
February 2nd, 2024 at 1:36 PM ^
As far as on-field openings: it seems like Michigan is set on continuing with its Ravens-esque approach, as Sam Webb said on last week's Roundtable, and will attempt to find an external, probably NFL-based replacement for Minter.
Thats encouraging to hear as this defense should be top 10 with a similar philosophy next year. That'll help a lot steady Sherrone's transition and some of the other flux on the offensive side of the ball if we can keep the defense going.
February 2nd, 2024 at 1:40 PM ^
Personally I think it’s a great hire, though time will tell. I’m also up for promoting clink or Elston or both in the d-side of the ball.
Kinda done with wanting splashy, headline grabbing hires. Gimme someone who can coach, and will continue the system/scheme and I’m good with that.
February 2nd, 2024 at 2:18 PM ^
If Michigan promotes Clinkscale, they go 7-5 at best next year.
February 2nd, 2024 at 3:13 PM ^
Guy has had the position group that has made the biggest change for the defensive system. He's been the only coach on staff for all three of those years. Why do you think he'd be Peter principled?
February 3rd, 2024 at 10:16 AM ^
Michigan 2024 Opponents:
- Fresno State
- Texas
- Arkansas State
- USC
- Minnesota
- Washington
- Illinois
- MSU
- Oregon
- Indiana
- Northwestern
- OSU
So, Texas and OSU are legit scary, then who? Washington with a new coach and QB coming off a destruction in the NC?
Oregon replacing a 7-year starter at QB? That one, maybe, as they have a proven excellent coach.
Then who - USC? Northwestern may legitimately be the best of the rest. I suggest taking some deep breaths.
February 4th, 2024 at 4:12 PM ^
Our current qb is a running back. So a lot of these teams are going to be an issue.
February 2nd, 2024 at 1:45 PM ^
So, Mike Hart is what exactly?
February 2nd, 2024 at 1:49 PM ^
How are we looking with guys like Hart, Bellamy, and Clink?
February 2nd, 2024 at 1:54 PM ^
Give Gorgeous Borges a call.
February 2nd, 2024 at 2:24 PM ^
I'm still angry about his decision to run the ball against stacked boxes from Nebraska.
Hard pass.
February 2nd, 2024 at 3:04 PM ^
27-27
Never forget.
February 2nd, 2024 at 1:56 PM ^
Give Gorgeous Borges a call.
February 2nd, 2024 at 1:57 PM ^
Bear in mind that Sherrone has been our OC. So it's not unlikely that hiring Campbell is a way for Sherrone to maintain continuity with his own Harbaughesque offensive philosophy and plan via a trusted subordinate.
February 2nd, 2024 at 4:10 PM ^
"Harbaughful" is the adjective
February 2nd, 2024 at 2:04 PM ^
I am happy with this. He came in as JJ's private coach and worked up. QB is the most important position and we need to keep that room solid. We can start replacing people next year if results are poor. We are already behind the CC cycle...the good guys are gone. Kirk knows the opportunity he has. He could be Jedd, he could be worse. He will work hard and that is what we need.
Let's see how the spring portal goes, focus on recruiting and see where we land. In the meantime let's steal Morgan back from Washington or get a person there. Change the culture.
Go Blue!
February 2nd, 2024 at 2:07 PM ^
Probably gives some indication that Mike hart will move on. Wasn't Campbell an off field analyst like 2 years ago? For him to pass hart tells a story
February 2nd, 2024 at 4:56 PM ^
Nailed it. Even if Hart isn't personally offended (and I'm guessing he is), to stay after being passed by an analyst like that would damage his "stock"
February 3rd, 2024 at 10:21 AM ^
I don't Hart's stock will be damaged by staying and coaching at Reigning National Champion Michigan Football. We also don't know much about his relationship with Moore or what he's being offered in terms of role. It's not just chess pieces based on title, these are people playing key roles together in a team setting.
February 2nd, 2024 at 2:08 PM ^
Our coaching hires should be like olympic diving. Able to handle a high degree of difficulty, but enters seamlessly with as little splash as possible.
February 2nd, 2024 at 2:10 PM ^
Just hope he remembers the play-action pass.
February 2nd, 2024 at 2:19 PM ^
This has been expected since Moore said he probably wouldn't call plays and had a good idea of who would.
I think it's a great hire. Not sure why everyone's first reaction is "what happens with Hart".
February 2nd, 2024 at 2:21 PM ^
As a Michigan fan, wake me up when people get hired on the side of the ball that matters haha.
February 2nd, 2024 at 2:27 PM ^
I’m not a huge fan of just promoting everyone, but I trust Sherrone’s judgement.
February 2nd, 2024 at 2:51 PM ^
Normally, the DC spot would be really be concerning to me. However, I'm still basking in the afterglow of the Natty.
I hope the coaching search remains focused on younger guys who are plus recruiters.
February 2nd, 2024 at 2:58 PM ^
In one of the OOC games in September, Campbell called all of the plays on offense. I thought that it was the best called game of the year.
But . . . it was against a cupcake.
So who knows?
February 2nd, 2024 at 5:49 PM ^
Splash on me Elston & Clink as M's d cords...
February 2nd, 2024 at 5:56 PM ^
Why was Zach Orr mentioned so frequently without Chris Hewitt ever being mentioned?
February 2nd, 2024 at 9:12 PM ^
Didn’t know who he was but it would be worth an interview after seeing his path. Schiano is a good coach. And has the Ravens pedigree.
February 2nd, 2024 at 7:18 PM ^
either a sign he's really that dude or sort of a mediocre default hire, and nobody knows which one it is
Sums up every coaching change made since Harbaugh left.
February 2nd, 2024 at 11:47 PM ^
I am happy with Campbell to OC. The ECU game had the best offensive flow of the season. The plays, taken together, made a great deal of sense.
Let's do that. All year.
February 3rd, 2024 at 12:45 AM ^
Couple things:
1. I don't think Hart is officially on the staff. From what I can find online, his contract expired.
2. Did Rick Minter leave? Obviously his son is gone, but he seems like someone who could really help a set of young/new coaches as a staffer.
February 4th, 2024 at 4:00 PM ^
Apparently not one proven experienced DC or OC wants our jobs. Its weird.
You cannot tell me the best candidate in the country was sitting on our staff for every position.
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