I'm not big into trying to pretend to be a reporter, but like all fans, I'm curious about Michigan's coaching situation. Here's what I've gathered from various resources on each of the coaching jobs:
1. HEAD COACH: Jim Harbaugh
Harbaugh is rumored to be holding a staff meeting early this coming week to discuss an extension, as well as some staff additions. The rumor is that he will be extended through 2026.
Other options: Matt Campbell, Luke Fickell
2. OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR/WIDE RECEIVERS COACH: Josh Gattis?
I think Gattis is on thin ice due to the lack of development, questionable play calling, and general ineptitude. There are rumors floating about that Joe Moorhead (current OC at Oregon, former OC at Penn State, and former HC at Mississippi State) may sign on to coordinate Michigan's offense. Gattis may be demoted to wide receivers coach or go somewhere else entirely.
Other options: ???
Hit the jump for more.
3. QUARTERBACKS COACH: Ben McDaniels Jim Harbaugh
One rumor floating around is that Harbaugh will take over coaching the quarterbacks and McDaniels is headed out the door.
Other options: ???
4. RUNNING BACKS COACH: Jay Harbaugh?
Jay Harbaugh has been much maligned as running backs coach (for little reason, in my opinion). There has been some buzz that he will move to special teams coach exclusively, as Michigan struggled somewhat with specials in 2020. This probably depends on what other staff moves are made.
Other options: Mike Hart
5. TIGHT ENDS COACH: Sherrone Moore
Moore's position seems to be pretty secure as long as he chooses to stay. Some other programs may try to poach him. As Michigan's top recruiter, it's important that Michigan keeps him.
Other options: ???
6. OFFENSIVE LINE COACH: Ed Warinner
There have not been any indications that Warinner will be departing.
Other options: ???
7. DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Don Brown
Brown was let go before Christmas, and there have been a lot of rumors about who will replace him. No solid indications been given as of yet.
Other options: Lance Anderson, Jim Leavitt, Derek Mason, Will Muschamp, Charlie Strong
8. DEFENSIVE LINE COACH: Shaun Nua?
Nua has still reportedly been contacting recruits, but his position may be up for grabs depending on the new defensive coordinator.
Other options: ???
9. LINEBACKERS COACH: Brian Jean-Mary?
Jean-Mary's first season at Michigan came in 2020. The linebackers took a big step back, but he's known as a very good recruiter with a lot of connections in important places like Florida and Texas. He has still been in contact with recruits, and it seems like his position might be pretty solid, though a defensive coordinator change could alter that.
Other options: ???
10. CORNERBACKS COACH: Mike Zordich?
Zordich's recruiting has been suspect, but overall, the cornerback play at Michigan has been excellent since he arrived in 2015 - except for the first few games of 2020. This is another spot that could be determined by the new defensive coordinator.
Other options: ???
11. SAFETIES COACH: Bob Shoop
Shoop was hired to be the safeties coach for 2020, and while things have been mum officially, rumors have come out that he did not fit with the staff. All the work he did was done virtually, and supposedly that wasn't because of any health issues. The main name to pop up has been Penn State co-defensive coordinator Tim Banks, a Detroit native who is known as a solid recruiter.
Other options: ???
Lots of decisions to be made. Will Harbaugh return?
ReplyDeleteIf so, can he fix his mess?
What does he want out of his Defense? Will he be more involved?
What do we want to be on Offense? Will he allow that?
Honestly, I don't see a coach on this staff as a MUST keep. Moore is our top recruiter, but Sooner fans think they'll nab him
It's quite possible JH stays, we get a huge staff turnover, and look even more a mess in 2021
Yes. Yes. Fewer points. No. More points. Yes.
DeleteIt's quite possible JH stays, we get a huge staff turnover on defense, and we go out and beat MSU, PSU, Washington, Nebraska, Wisconsin, and more.
-Lank
It would be incredibly depressing to end up with Campbell or Fickel as HC at Michigan. We have to try to overcome the Urban Meyer Death machine with a guy floating around 500 in the Big 12 or the only Ohio guy on the wrong side of UM/OSU since 2003? It's an uphill battle either way but I'll take the guy who almost won in 2016 and 2017, armed with a new DC, over either Campbell or Fickel for sure.
ReplyDelete-Lank
The Moorhead rumors seem to have legs but don't make any sense to me. Gattis getting demoted doesn't make sense but maybe a co-OC situation could be in play.
ReplyDeleteMoorhead has had a very rough couple years and his star has fallen - something like Don Brown - but I think he's a good coach and would be a solid addition.
Still, I'm very skeptical it will play out that he ends up in AA, unless he is HC.
How fired up would James Franklin be if Gattis and Moorhead are on the other sideline in AA?
-Lank
Replacing McDaniels and sliding Harbaugh Jr to special teams sound like solid moves. On defense the big domino is who will be DC. Seems like the rumor mill doesn't have any hard info yet, just bits of smoke here or there. Which is fine.
ReplyDeleteI don't think there is a big rush with signing day behind us. But people seem impatient to find out.
-Lank
I think there's good reason to be impatient. Assistant coaches and transfer players are starting to choose their destinations. Maybe Michigan wouldn't need/want some of them, but at least they would have the option. Duke's Derrick Tangelo already chose Penn State, other guys are in the portal, etc.
DeleteAgree. The 2021 class may be wrapped up, but there is much work to be done in the portal, and with filling out the staff
DeleteThat's a pretty big stretch. Transfers are happening now but also will continue on into the summer. Besides, Michigan still has the option. Supposedly the Wisc QB is looking at Michigan currently. They haven't landed anyone on offense through the portal, even though the coaches are set. So this is just speculation on the fringe.
ReplyDeleteMaybe the right DC hire can bring some kids along with him. Not only from the school he is at but connections he made through recruiting. Regardless, there is plenty of time to use the portal. The big thing is to get the right guy in place to move the program forward. You worry about transfers after that.
-Lank
There is time, but why start at the back of the line? That applies to transfers AND assistant coaches
DeleteCoan went to Notre Dame (not that I'd want him
They were focused on Ohio State (as we would all hope they would be) until the season was over, which technically was less than 3 weeks ago. And then (late December) it's more complicated than just snapping their fingers and figuring things out overnight during the holidays. Remember that it's hiring not firing that solves things.
DeleteAnyway, there is no "line" for impact transfers anymore than there is a line for 5 star DTs. Historically it's not something Michigan does much of so to say they missed on anyone because of unsettled coaching situations is rather absurd. Its not like they plugged their holes at CB or DT when they had stable coaching situations a year ago!
Moreover, the one immediate impact transfer they got came off a full-on coaching transition - Jake Rudock in April 2015. The second most impactful guy came over in mid February (backup DL Mike Danna).
So what's the rush? There is none.
To say Michigan is missing out on Transfers in early January 2021 when they have no history of doing this in previous years is preposterous...
-Lank
There was a time when Jim Harbaugh thought differently
Deletehttps://247sports.com/Coach/732/Quotes/I-dont-take-vacations-I-dont-get-sick-I-dont-observe-major-holid-36020035/
Maybe the fact that you can name only two transfers in six years is part of the problem ... Juwan got that many in one year, and it's paying off
ReplyDeleteThere are position coaches & coordinators on the move, now. We have a need, now
There are players in the portal, looking for a new home. We have needs for their service
The point is, why wait? What happened to the "jackhammer," or an "enthusiasm unknown to mankind" Guys like urban meyer win a NC, and call recruits while the lockerroom celebrates ... Saban gets BOB on retainer before his OC clears his office ... meanwhile, at michigan there's no urgency at all. Just like with our clock management
It's been less than 3 weeks since the season ended 12/15 and signing day 12/16. During which you had holidays. When Harbaugh signed originally it was 12/30/14. He landed Rudock a few months later.
DeleteThe "wait" here is exaggerated. And it is not having a tangible impact beyond our fanbase.
Compare to our peer schools. It's not like they are out there landing waves of new players. PSU got a guy and lost a guy at DT. Wisconsin lost a backup QB. Some guys are moving, but the idea that it changes outcomes for Michigan is hard to substantiate. Anyway, Michigan is supposedly actively recruiting guys like Shelton and Coan, which further undercuts the idea that they need to have 90% of their staff locked in RIGHT NOW, as opposed to 60% they have, to recruit guys through the portal is further undercut.
This is multi-month process not a rush job. There will be plenty of fish in the Portal Sea. There's more going in than coming out right now and it won't be plucked clean until summertime. Patience is warranted.
-Lank
-Lank
You're doing that thing where you argue a point that wasn't made
DeleteOur biggest needs are at DT and CB. In staff, we don't have DC, not do we know who on staff will remain
Can't address the former, without the latter. Do I need the news RIGHT NOW? No, but every day without addressing these needs does NOT help the program get "better today than yesterday, better tomorrow than today"
If you're best argument is getting Danna & rudock in February, that's not reassuring. We don't have to agree, but I don't think it's worth getting worked up & offended by opinions on a fan message board
Am I offended or worked up? "You're doing that thing where you argue a point that wasn't made"
DeleteThe point being argued is if fans are right to be impatient because we're missing out on something. I'm saying we're probably not missing out on anything. The opportunity to utilize the transfer portal remains open to Michigan. Moreover, it is only improving over time with each name being added to the mix.
The scholarship number is the same. Michigan doesn't need to rush out and get a guy today to fill a spot under the argument of immediacy. They should focus on getting guys who a) will actually help and b) will actually come here. The program isn't going to get any better by landing a DT in January than they will with getting one in March. It's about who not when.
In other words - your "every day" argument is bunk.
Finally, we just had this same debate a month ago when fans argued that not addressing the Harbaugh contract ASAP was going to hurt us in recruiting. It didn't. They landed arguably the best offensive class in a decade. Not on defense, where they fired the DC, but on offense where they kept them. The facts don't support the narrative to hurry up and get things done.
The criticism was wrong there, and I'm saying it's probably wrong here. Both are instances of fan impatience and dubious assertions of missed opportunities.
-Lank
D line coach for D tackles:
ReplyDeleteSione Po'Uha from Utah.
That's fine. Reasonable discussions are based the probability that we are
ReplyDelete"I'm saying we're probably not missing out on anything"
"Reasonable discussions require you to agree with me." -JE
DeleteSix coaches have had their contracts expire. We're now operating at less than 50% manpower
ReplyDeleteNo big deal
It's a huge problem. You can see the immediate effect in a multi-year quality starter like Brad Hawkins, who COULD come back, deciding not to because of the uncertainty on the coaching staff. Michigan is blowing it.
Delete-Lannk
Brad Hawkins is quality? Where else was he supposed to go? Certainly you aren't implying the NFL...
DeleteWherever Vastardis, Spanellis, Carpenter, St Juste, Woods and Black went. Guys leave all the time. If a few weeks of uncertainty was the P R O B L E M many are making out to be you'd see more guys jumping ship.
ReplyDeleteIt's just not what happened. Recruiting turned out great on offense and now that the defensive staff is coming together some of the players are coming back. I'm sure there will be departures to come over the months to come (on offense and defense) but those will likely be AFTER the coaching staff is already in place and will have nothing to do with "incompetence" (actually just impatience) over a few weeks during the winter holidays.
BTW - Hawkins was PFF all-conference in 2019. WalterCamp has ranked him a top 30 safety prospect nationally. I know PFF doesn't know what it is talking about to some but they were the only ones ranking Onwenu as an elite talent for years. Same time people feelingsed about how he was lazy and should be a DT.
Onwenu is a case study in what is wrong with Michigan football. A 4 year starter who plays at a high level but gets shit on by alumni and fans while he is here anyway.
Getting Hawkins back is huge for the 2021 football team. You can be damn sure that other programs are going to get guys back for year 6 and it'll be a tremendous advantage to have that experience available. But let's not celebrate that, lets complain that the coaching search wasn't fast enough for our liking and make up reasons to validate the whining.
-Lank
So much BS to unpack. You can't make a point so you invent opposition, or conflate things you've seen elsewhere and make your objections here:
ReplyDelete- not one post here insists a major problem exists. Instead, the point is "why wait? Why end up in back of the line?"
- urban starts recruiting while his lockerroom celebrates their NC; saban said Friday he allows 24hrs before getting back to work. Harbaugh claims to be a jackhammer who doesn't vacation/rest/get sick ... so again, why wait? Certainly is not a part of "better today than yesterday ... "
2022 blue chips are setting commit dates, without a position coach at AA; transfers at DT have announced their new school. Again, you say we're probably not missing anything, but obviously we are at least missing on those few
- the defensive staff is not "coming together" if anything, we lost Zordich
- the #30 safety does not get drafted, so you confirmed my point there
- onwenu was not shit on. There is plenty of tape showing him go less than 100, especially in 2017 & 18; he lost his spot in 17, so unless you're "bashing the coaches" or pretending to know more, I suggest you watch tape, and not rely so heavily on some website's data
No one on this site whines, except the guy who annually runs away crying, or pulls the race card on posters pointing out obvious skill flaws
Relax Lank, Go Blue