Brian Jean Mary to Tennessee
February 19th, 2021 at 5:09 PM ^
Interesting move for him, without reading I'm guessing pay raise and promotion for him.
February 19th, 2021 at 5:33 PM ^
Interesting candidate: Chris Simpson, linebacker coach at U of Buffalo. Mid 40's. Been at Grand Valley and EMU among other places.
February 19th, 2021 at 7:28 PM ^
I assumed they'd just promote Ryan Osborn or Garrett Cox from the Analyst pool, but Simpson would be a pretty good hire I think.
Is there any smoke to that name or just think it'd be a fit?
February 19th, 2021 at 10:28 PM ^
No smoke. My brother-in-laws friend at work is not connected to the program. Just think its an interesting name.
February 19th, 2021 at 6:11 PM ^
It would have to be. For an assistant coach, Jean Mary has a big buyout clause.
February 19th, 2021 at 6:29 PM ^
Wait a second... why was he included in the UM football coaching staff finalization if he was going to be on the move. Either UM failed to communicate with him and keep him on staff or he was gone regardless of what UM did/said. Odd timing on this.
February 19th, 2021 at 7:05 PM ^
Yes. Michigan simply forgot to tell him they were keeping him.
February 19th, 2021 at 5:11 PM ^
Let’s hope he didn’t play any role in the recruitment of the two kids from Tennessee.
February 19th, 2021 at 5:16 PM ^
No that was all Linguist. BJM was more important for last years' LB recruits and recruiting LBs this year. It will be important that whoever takes over LBs connects with the incoming LBs quickly to form connections and make sure they don't ask out of their NLI. Lots of time left to sub out recruiters for this year's recruits.
As for area recruiting, BJM specialized in Texas and Florida. Linguist has Texas covered while Helow has deep connections to Florida so we should be okay on that front. Hopefully we can grab a LB coach who can open up another area to recruit (maybe somewhere out west? or possibly Ohio?)
February 20th, 2021 at 1:53 AM ^
How about Macdonald coach the linebackers and hire another DL coach? It sounds like LBs will have a lesser role in his defense anyway.
February 20th, 2021 at 9:29 AM ^
On the contrary, the LBs will have way more of a role in his defense. And Macdonald is a first time DC. He needs to focus on calling plays and leave coaching LBs to another qualified individual.
February 19th, 2021 at 6:10 PM ^
It was a trade, he was the player to be named later.
February 19th, 2021 at 5:11 PM ^
Better not try to take away our TN pipeline.
February 19th, 2021 at 5:12 PM ^
Dafuq
February 19th, 2021 at 5:13 PM ^
Larry Foote come on down...
February 19th, 2021 at 5:20 PM ^
If only. Would you leave Tampa Bay?
February 19th, 2021 at 5:22 PM ^
Nope, but one can only hope...
February 19th, 2021 at 5:23 PM ^
Lol, why would he leave the NFL to coach the same position in college? He's more likely poised for a bump to DC soon.
February 19th, 2021 at 5:16 PM ^
For whatever reason, that guy was clearly looking everywhere he could for a new job. Best of luck sir.
February 19th, 2021 at 5:22 PM ^
Personally I never trust someone with three first names with the last two being female. NTTAWWT.
February 19th, 2021 at 6:25 PM ^
I just can’t think of any reasons at all. Oh wait...
February 19th, 2021 at 6:59 PM ^
I'm gonna go out on a limb here and assume (based on your past history) that you are talking about Harbaugh, 2-4 in year 6, etc.. I'm sure you can also then tell us why BJM would prefer a program that hasn't had a 10-win season since 2007 (Tennessee) compared to one that has had three 10-win and one 9-win seasons in 6 years under its current coach.
February 20th, 2021 at 8:38 PM ^
How about at TN he is with a new head coach that will probably be given at least 3-4 years to produce, and probable sanctions coming so expectations will be low.
As opposed to Michigan where you possibly have a coach on the bubble with expectations to turn it around fast.
February 19th, 2021 at 6:52 PM ^
We tried to hire Christian Robinson perhaps? Just a guess.
February 19th, 2021 at 5:24 PM ^
2 days before spring practice begins. Good luck to BJM and no doubt with higher pay and promotion probably. Michigan will find a replacement no problem.
February 19th, 2021 at 5:31 PM ^
This is where Macdonald having a background as a LB coach comes in really handy. Considering how lost our LBs looked last year and how essential LB play is to a 3-4 scheme, they need the extra attention to make sure the defense can succeed
February 19th, 2021 at 5:42 PM ^
McDonald recently said that he does not want to have a specific position responsibility (and I think that is very important given he is a first timer DC and needs to focus on that before multitasking).
They will hire someone else. BJM was a good recruiter seemingly, but should not be difficult to find a good replacement for this position.
February 19th, 2021 at 5:50 PM ^
Agreed. I think that’s part of the reason they got Bellamy for WRs too. So that Gattis can focus entirely on being an OC. I was talking in more of a temporary basis during spring practice while they’re still looking for a new LB coach.
February 19th, 2021 at 6:05 PM ^
I think Bellamy coaching WRs made a lot of sense because Gattis is an experienced and well regarded WR coach. I expect Bellamy to be working closely under Gattis, sharing the positional coaching duties.
It will be interesting to see who gets brought in to coach LBs. I'd rather not see Macdonald's role change already as a first time DC. Would bringing in a top notch recruiter that's not too experienced as a LB coach be a good idea? Similar to the Bellamy move.
February 19th, 2021 at 5:24 PM ^
Weirdest offseason (and 2020 season) of all time.
February 20th, 2021 at 8:20 AM ^
Like sands through the hourglass, so are the days of our lives (under COVID).
February 19th, 2021 at 5:24 PM ^
Well, he IS over 40 years old, so he probably got "forced" out for being too old...
#ageism
/s (if it wasn't obvious)
February 19th, 2021 at 5:31 PM ^
A guy with 2/3 "girl names". Sorry, do not want
February 19th, 2021 at 11:05 PM ^
Is there "Something About Mary" that bothers you?
Or is there something about "Jean" that bothers you?
February 19th, 2021 at 5:32 PM ^
Weird timing, but I would guess JH had an inkling and has a few candidates in mind. LBs shouldn't be an issue with Mac so we may see yet another young recruiting focused hire.
February 19th, 2021 at 6:29 PM ^
You’re giving JH a lot of credit. I’m not sure he has an “inkling” about anything anymore. I’ll be happy if he proves me wrong in 2021 though.
February 19th, 2021 at 6:47 PM ^
Bullshit. His staffs have mostly been excellent outside of a couple. DB was considered a home run, pep was well regarded, etc. Not all have worked out but he has had a good staff.
February 19th, 2021 at 9:57 PM ^
I’m sorry, but I don’t know how we can sit here and say that Harbaugh has had excellent hires when we are coming off an atrocious record. Being well regarded and having an excellent coaching staff are two different variables. I’ll give you he’s found some gems, but they have clearly gone on as opposed to staying here (Washington and Partridge). There is a reason why some people were clamoring to blow it all up.
February 19th, 2021 at 5:34 PM ^
Go get Roy Manning, who has been part of two major defensive turnarounds, can coach multiple defensive positions and recruit the West Coast.
February 20th, 2021 at 6:58 PM ^
This^
someone tell Mike
February 19th, 2021 at 5:36 PM ^
No offense to all the Michiganders on here, but it's pretty flipping cold up there. If there's ever one legitimate reason to spurn Michigan, it's to be in a place with better weather.
February 19th, 2021 at 5:42 PM ^
Like, maybe . . . TEXAS?
February 19th, 2021 at 6:02 PM ^
The exception that proves the rule
February 19th, 2021 at 6:32 PM ^
Yup cuz the second coldest week in Texas on record definitely over rules the 7 consistent colder months in Michigan every single year.
February 21st, 2021 at 2:02 PM ^
Absolutely. I live dead smack right in the middle of what happened this week. Id take this, once every 15 years, to a normal Michigan winter all day, every day and twice on Sunday.
February 19th, 2021 at 7:19 PM ^
I’ll take the cold and snow over heat and humidity any day. There’s no way I would live in the south.
February 19th, 2021 at 10:33 PM ^
Brady Hoke has it right. San Diego, baby!