...IF Michigan is in the market for a new DC, who would you like to see?
Before someone takes the time to click this thread to grown about redundancy...I searched the board. There wasn't anything that consolidated ideas around DC (most of the talk is around a new HC).
So let's say reports are true and Harbaugh accepts less money, but uses that money for a new DC (or co-DCs)...who would you like at Michigan?
December 8th, 2020 at 8:13 AM ^
Why the hell would you keep Nua? His recruiting so far is nothing to write home about, and the DL performance has fallen off a cliff since he took over. UM can do far better.
December 8th, 2020 at 8:25 AM ^
Your Co-Oc's are one guy who has never called plays and another guy who has overseen an utter disaster of an offense since he arrived at Michigan, and had never called a play in his life before he arrived.
I continue to be amazed at how 2 years of truly horrific offense has somehow not damaged the reputation of our offensive coordinator. Going by results, even Pep Hamilton was a much better coordinator than Gattis.
December 8th, 2020 at 8:36 AM ^
Dont hate this at all, I would maybe just replace Strong with Muschamp, I think the team needs a fiery guy to rally them up. Similar to what Venables does at Clemson. Love the Hart idea with Gattis, but what if Herman gets fired from Texas, and doesn't get another HC job? Show him the money for OC. Also I think its time to move on from Nua...we have signed 2 DT in the last 4 years...thats half the programs problem.
December 8th, 2020 at 8:37 AM ^
I want nothing to do with anyone related to the Bo/Lloyd coaching tree. So, Mike Hart is a hard no. Also, his backs the last year averaged 3.6 yards per attempt and are at 2.9 this year. In what way is he qualified?
December 8th, 2020 at 8:39 AM ^
He'd be a great recruiter at Michigan
December 8th, 2020 at 8:54 AM ^
He's not... If you actually look at what their RB's accomplish (ypc, blitz pickups), Jaybaugh does a better job. If you also look at who they've recruited, Jaybaugh blows Hart off the field. Jay has also proven himself as a TE's coach - all of Butt's awards (All American, Mackey) came when Jay was TE coach. Jay has also proven himself as a special teams coach.
People that complain about Jay scream 'nepotism' - they have nothing else. That probably got him in the door, but he's more than earned his spot on the staff since then.
All that said, it's probably time for him to earn a reputation outside the family. And he'll do a good job.
December 8th, 2020 at 9:10 AM ^
While it’s possibly Jay Harbaugh coached up Jake Butt I don’t see any evidence that couldn’t also be explained as, “Jake Butt was so talented and previously well coached that he made Jay Harbaugh look great.”
what am I missing?
December 8th, 2020 at 8:59 AM ^
Hart is one of the most well respected young coaches in football circles.
What the hell are people acting like he's not qualified. He's coaches at some of the same places as Tyrone Wheatley. He's not just some rando RB who played here.
It makes no sense for people to say he's not qualified. Is Roy Manning not qualified to coach a position at Michigan just because he went to Michigan?
Why does playing here automatically disqualify you for a job here?
Hart (and Manning) going to Michigan plays only a small part...in that it'd be easier for them to recruit to their alma mater. But that isn't close to THE reason to hire them.
December 8th, 2020 at 9:08 AM ^
I won't say that Hart isn't qualified, but his production as a coach and recruiter doesn't match Jay's. So the only possible reason to bring him over is because he's a 'Michigan Man'.
And fuck that reason to bloody hell.
December 8th, 2020 at 9:25 AM ^
I don't know why people argue that hard over how well a RB coach coaches. That position is 80% recruiting and 20% coaching and always has been. Other than blitz pickups, which Jay has been fine at teaching the RBs, it's hard to tell with RBs how much is coaching and how much is the guy just having it, or not having it.
I have no idea if Jay is a good recruiter as I don't pay attention to who is responsible for who. I was under the impression he was pretty good though.
December 8th, 2020 at 10:53 AM ^
I guess I'd have a hard time comparing them given the place they are recruiting to probably has a huge impact on their success as well.
Nevertheless, my point is, promoting Hart to co-OC, given his primary job is recruiting would not be optimal.
December 8th, 2020 at 12:16 PM ^
80% recruiting and 20% coaching
Really? If coaching running backs is 80% recruiting then we're doing a remarkably bad job of the 20% coaching because we sign a lot of highly-sought running backs but even the best of them aren't really panning out.
Karan Higdon has been our biggest success at RB and in his best year he was was 29th in the country in rushing yards while posting a worse ypc than every RB listed ahead of him.
December 8th, 2020 at 9:32 AM ^
Ask yourself a god honest question: if he had no affiliation with us, would he be under consideration?
I literally have not heard his name for any other coaching position, though he's done a fine job of climbing the coaching ranks and I wish him well.
Also, quite frankly, I am not interested in ESPN or Fox playing his stupid little brother comments on loop for however long he coaches here every MSU game. Just move on from that era.
December 8th, 2020 at 8:41 AM ^
For me I'd swap out Major Applewhite with Nick Sheridan and make Sheridan the full time OC. Hart can be an AHC/RB if he needs a title and Gattis can be WR coach if he wants to stay, otherwise you could promote Roundtree from GA to full time WR coach.
December 8th, 2020 at 8:54 AM ^
Roundtree is at Grand Valley State.
December 8th, 2020 at 8:48 AM ^
Hard pass on Nua. The D-line has been underwhelming since he replaced Mattison.
December 8th, 2020 at 8:59 AM ^
Your dream offensive coordinators are 1) the current underperforming guy and 2) one with zero OC experience?
Dream bigger man.
December 8th, 2020 at 9:02 AM ^
I'm trying to be somewhat realistic while also keeping a level of continuity.
I don't think now is the time to blow everything up on offense, while I do for the defense.
If you disagree, that's okay. But for me the thought of another OC...just fire Harbaugh and start everything over again.
Whereas the D is a different story (for me at least).
December 8th, 2020 at 9:15 AM ^
Sorry, but this is a pretty weak staff. Strong would be solid but Gattis, Hart, Nua, Jean-Mary . . . what have these guys accomplished to make them home runs?
It feels like you're focusing more on their skin color than their actual résumés. If we have a diverse staff, that's cool, but I don't want to be taking fliers on a bunch of guys for the sake of diversity.
December 8th, 2020 at 9:29 AM ^
Well, as much as I want Harbaugh relieved of his duties, I would be fully on board with him coming back if those were the new staff additions.
I cant see Charlie Strong or Muschamp willing to be a co-dc. I would like either of those guys and also the recent fired Derek Mason might not be a bad hire either.
Just because these guys failed at being a HC does not mean they will be a bad DC.
December 8th, 2020 at 9:36 AM ^
As much as I respect what Hart did on the field, I would go in a different direction. I would hire Thomas Wilcher as RB coach/Co-OC and he would be my coach in waiting.
- Former college RB
- Coaches one of the most successful HS programs in the country and produces multiple D1 players
- Has good relationships with HCs at Belleville, MLK and Oak Park
Of all the people on our staff, I don't think anyone would be ready to step in and replace Harbaugh in three/four years. I believe he could do it with a few years of college coaching experience under his belt.
December 8th, 2020 at 10:15 AM ^
This feels like recruiting for EA Sports
December 8th, 2020 at 10:27 AM ^
I mean, I'm all for recruiting guys but both Nua and BJM have underwhelmed as coaches; the LBs in particular have looked utterly lost and at some point that falls on the position coach. Charlie Strong might be a good fit but his defenses at USF were bad and I'm not sure how he is as a position coach anymore.
As for co-OC Hart, I swear this place simultaneously hates the idea of "Michigan Man" and also loses their damn mind if someone with a connection is even tenuously available. IU's rush offense this year is 120th in the nation with basically 100 yards/gm; Michigan running most of the year without their 2 top tackles and their center average 30+ yards more per game. And this IU team is upperclassmen-laden on the offense. So no, Mike Hart might be a good coordinator but putting him at co-OC is a likely recipe for frustration.
December 8th, 2020 at 11:47 AM ^
Love the combo of Charlie Strong, Derek Mason, and Clinkscale. That’s a lot of defensive play calling experience and insight plus some good recruiting. I’m indifferent to Nua and Jean Mary right now.
We need analysts like Bama has.
December 8th, 2020 at 7:00 AM ^
The Partidge idea has groan on me.
December 8th, 2020 at 7:58 AM ^
I think I saw what you did there?
December 8th, 2020 at 7:01 AM ^
Greg Mattison(DC)
One of the best defensive minds in all of football, he’s shifty like Barry Sanders but he can flat coach.
and pipedream is Greg Roman(OC), if not Sheridan and, or Hart.
Might sound crazy but maybe Andrew Luck as a QB coach, he and Harbaugh “seem” to have a special relationship and he can be a great support for Harbaugh’s philosophy.
December 8th, 2020 at 1:58 PM ^
GMatt should have been the DC the first year and every year since. He won an NC as a DC at Florida, was a DC in the NFL, and has more experience than anyone but Harbaugh demoted him so he could bring in his own guy.
December 8th, 2020 at 7:14 AM ^
Derek Mason.
December 8th, 2020 at 7:17 AM ^
Marcus Freeman of Cincinnati
December 8th, 2020 at 9:22 AM ^
Great coach but lifelong Buckeye and already has turned down LB coach at OSU and DC at MSU. Looks like he is sticking with Fickell wherever that ends up.
December 8th, 2020 at 10:03 AM ^
My choice as well. He’s an up and comer who knows how to recruit. I don’t know what he’s being paid at UC but we should be able to triple it.
December 8th, 2020 at 7:34 AM ^
Derek Mason
Steve Clinkscale
If they would co-DC (I don't think they would) - that would be awesome. If not, I'd be happy with either one of those two as DC. Assuming they are also given full control of the defensive staff.
December 8th, 2020 at 7:36 AM ^
I would be lying if I didn’t throw Muschamps name in the ring. Also Derrick Mason would have to be in the discussion.
December 8th, 2020 at 7:42 AM ^
Someone who has a concept/scheme, but who is also willing to make changes to the talent he has on the roster. Someone who can adjust in game and before game during the week
December 8th, 2020 at 8:43 AM ^
This is all we really (should) care about - flexibility in scheme and creating opponent specific game plans and adjustments. That said, you can only practice so much so you cannot be a truly 'anything goes' defense. But we need someone who can tailor the defense/game plan to his players' talents.
If we had the bevy of athletes like Alabama, Clemson or OSU Don Brown's scheme would be fine - but we don't and his inability/unwillingness to adjust to the talent he has has cost us dearly in big games.
December 8th, 2020 at 7:47 AM ^
The one no one is talking about....Kirby Smart. Reading some of the replies, People on this blog are insufferably idiotic sometimes.
December 8th, 2020 at 9:00 AM ^
He's the rather successful head coach at Georgia. Could you please tell us why you think he'd take the step down to DC at Michigan? Is this like Evansheski's idea about Jeff Hafly?
December 8th, 2020 at 11:04 AM ^
People on this blog are insufferably idiotic sometimes.
Kirby Smart is HC at one of the top programs in the country in the top conference in the country, and he makes over $6 million a year while doing it. On top of that, he's a Georgia alum.
Why in the flying fuck would he leave that to become an assistant at a struggling program that he has no connection to, in a region of the country where he's spent literally zero time, and make a shitload LESS money while doing it?
Maybe your post was snark. If it wasn't, "insufferably idiotic" applies directly to the person you see in the mirror each morning.
December 8th, 2020 at 12:38 PM ^
Hey why not Nick Saban as our DC
December 8th, 2020 at 1:28 PM ^
Haha... Fuck that, make him special teams coordinator.
December 8th, 2020 at 7:55 AM ^
Gregg Williams
December 8th, 2020 at 8:03 AM ^
Will muschamp. Then bring Woodson to coach secondary, get that bum jay back to special teams or something. Bring Wheatley back to coach rbs. I’m sure someone like DE would rather have Wheatley coaching him than jay fckin Harbaugh. Then get Dudek out of there.
December 8th, 2020 at 8:09 AM ^
Running Back production hasn't declined since Jay took over for Wheatley. It actually has been our most consistent position on offense under Harbaugh.
December 8th, 2020 at 8:31 AM ^
I agree with Muschamp. Woodson isn't interested in coaching, why do we always bring him up? RB has been fine under Jay - nepotism hire or not, he can coach and I wouldn't want him to leave.
December 8th, 2020 at 8:37 AM ^
100% agree with this get Jay Harbaugh tfo, there are so many better options out there.
December 8th, 2020 at 8:58 AM ^
Why stop there? Get Marcus Ray to coach safeties. Mike Hart can be the Co-RB coach. Braylon Edwards can coach WR's. Jon Jansen can coach Oline, and Brian Griese can coach QB's.
December 8th, 2020 at 9:16 AM ^
I only want Braylon and Marcus Ray on the staff if they promise to do all the press conferences. Braylon especially at half time and immediately following the game. They do so well with that. True disciples of Lloyd.
/s
December 8th, 2020 at 9:46 AM ^
and ask them how their position groups are faring vs. the other... just grab your popcorn and enjoy