DCC: Marcus Freeman
Thanks to all who commented on yesterday's DCC post on Clinkscale. Today I'll recap what I found in taking a closer look at Cincinnati Defensive Coordinator/LB Coach Marcus Freeman. I was pushing diary length on the last one, and this goes even more in depth, but the board has more activity so I'm sticking with it.
Profile
If you're sold on a youth movement, the 34 year old Freeman is a bit beyond "wunderkind" status for 24/7's 30under30 list but nearly half the age of Don Brown. He's another Ohio guy (Huber Heights) and played LB for the Buckeyes from 2004-2008 under then OSU co-DC/LB coach, current Cincinnati HC Luke Fickell. Before joining the Cincy staff in 2017, Freeman spent a few years as LB coach for Kent State then Purdue, eventually snagging a co-DC title for one year at the latter.
If recruiting is your bag, he's brought a couple 4-star Ohio kids to the Bearcats and comes in at 108th nationally for 2021 to 24/7. That's good for 3rd in the AAC, a tough place to recruit, but doesn't quite line up with some of the hype I've seen. Although Cincinnati's 2020 41st ranked class was the best in program history, the perceived inability to capitalize on recent success (45th ranked class for 2021) has been mentioned as a knock on Luke Fickell. Regardless, Freeman is one of five finalists for the Broyles Award honoring the top assistant coach in the country.
Since I failed to address it in the Clinkscale post, I'll note that I see no conflict between the shape of our roster and what Cincinnati likes to run. Eleven Warriors calls it "multiple" with shifts among 4-3, 4-2-5 and 3-3-5 in their 2019 film study. They also note Freeman's use of "Banjo" coverage, which you may remember from Seth's recent Neck Sharpies on dealing with Mesh (i.e. Ohio State WRs dragging across the middle with a rub).
In the News
Freeman has certainly come up on the board quite a bit but I couldn't find any main page content with his name. So no word on how Brian feels about him, to the extent that means anything to you.
Elswehere, his name is coming up all over the country for open jobs. Maize n Brew had him on the short list to replace Brown. Tiger Details calls him "the hottest name in the country" in reviewing options to replace Bo Pelini. Hammer and Rails wants him at Purdue and he's been listed as a candidate for a first-time HC position at Illinois.
That said, he signed an extension with Cincinnati last year and turned down a chance to move to the B1G when Mel Tucker came calling:
"I have goals, personal goals, and one of those is wanting to be a head coach, and I believe I don't need to leave the University of Cincinnati to achieve that goal... going to Michigan State didn't make me feel like I was going to be any more closer to it. Did the relationship with Coach Fickell come into play? Absolutely. Did the relationship I have with our kids here come into play? Absolutely."
Defensive Rankings
Ultimately it's all about performance on the field and Cincinnati's defense has been getting it done at 11th in total defense (314 ypg) and 7th in scoring defense (16 ppg). They're shutting opposing QBs down to the tune of a 94.05 efficiency rating (2nd nationally).
For fans of fancy stats, they jumped from 17th in DFEI in 2019 to 5th this year. One possible concern is that the Bearcats have been one of the most penalized teams in the country every year Freeman has been there. I can't separate defense from offense, and maybe that's a Fickell thing, but you might have to brace for some hair-pulling flags under a Freeman unit.
Summary
There's a lot to like about Freeman. He's got multiple years running an arguably elite defense, which should allay concerns that a young guy needs a mentor. I don't think his actual recruiting record will wow anyone pining for someone with proven chops, but it's tough to tell at a mid-major and people have praised him. The personnel fit looks good. I'd be happy with this hire but less convinced the Brinks truck is enough to bring him into a dicey situation in Ann Arbor. He's a loyal Buckeye and coach in waiting should Fickell move up.
What's your take, MGoBoard?
December 24th, 2020 at 3:02 PM ^
No more "multiple". Fucking stuff the run. Cover 2 and contain to 28 or less PPG. Simple, just recruit well and rely on the players.
Offense needs to win games in this era of college football. Defense just can't be too complex and get out-schemed into brutal, back-breaking big plays. Contain, contain, contain.
December 24th, 2020 at 3:12 PM ^
Let's just hire you and get it over with!
December 25th, 2020 at 11:47 AM ^
December 24th, 2020 at 3:13 PM ^
DCC: Mongo
Fucking stuff the run... 28 or less PPG
I'm on board! But I don't really care if you do it with Tampa 2, multiple, banjo, kazooie, or any other scheme.
December 24th, 2020 at 3:55 PM ^
You forgot complain, complain, complain.
December 24th, 2020 at 5:02 PM ^
Doesn't sound like Freeman is coming to Ann Arbor, "not for 1m, not for 2m" was the exact quote. I believe Mason would chose Ann Arbor > Baton Rouge, however the lack of urgency or concern makes me think they may already have a deal in place with the next DC.
Cheers
December 24th, 2020 at 5:23 PM ^
Appreciate the insight, Ghost. Mason is a little more known but I may do one of these for him. Any other names I should consider to prep the board for who might actually end up here?
December 24th, 2020 at 7:15 PM ^
Where did he say this? Sad if true as he really checks every box
December 24th, 2020 at 7:15 PM ^
Where did he say this? Sad if true as he really checks every box
December 24th, 2020 at 11:08 PM ^
the lack of urgency could just be incompetence.
December 24th, 2020 at 3:22 PM ^
You must be the esports student.
December 24th, 2020 at 4:36 PM ^
Underrated as fuck
December 24th, 2020 at 3:32 PM ^
Mongo is right on. Offense wins. Make stops here and there; bend but don’t break.
December 24th, 2020 at 3:38 PM ^
No, bend but don’t break keeps your defense on the field, Worn out and tired by the 4th. That’s not a formula for winning all the time. Every defense and offense scheme has its advantages and its disadvantages.
December 24th, 2020 at 8:17 PM ^
I've been wondering lately if Iowa's approach of playing a conservative zone with great discipline is the way to go against these high-powered offenses. Make them slowly march down the field and execute, execute, execute.
December 24th, 2020 at 3:37 PM ^
I remember when UM ran a scheme like this before and all the board did was bitch about how they need to be more aggressive and attacking. Gotta love the UM fanbase.
"Do thing A!!"
*thing A is ok, not great*
"Idiots! Thing A sucks! Do thing B!!"
*UM does thing B, works for a bit, then doesn't*
"Morons! Why aren't they doing thing A!? I've been saying for years they should be doing thing A!!!"
*UM tries thing A once again, it doesn't live up to expectation"
"FFS! How many times do I have to say they should be doing thing B!?!? Thing B will fix everything!!!!"
December 24th, 2020 at 4:17 PM ^
Alabama has those “players” and gave up 46 to Florida & 48 to Ole Miss. Maybe it takes a bit more than your Cover 2 stuff the run?
December 24th, 2020 at 4:52 PM ^
cover 2?
lmao
December 24th, 2020 at 5:02 PM ^
So I’m curious as to why a multiple defense can’t stop the run. I’m equally curious as to why you feel cover 2 has any bearing on you ability or inability to do it? Your take is pretty damn funny.
December 24th, 2020 at 3:09 PM ^
Dude has a straight shot to be head coach of Cincy whenever Fickell leaves. I'd be surprised if he goes anywhere
December 24th, 2020 at 3:53 PM ^
He can still take the Cincy job when it becomes available when he's DC of Michigan.
Plus we would likely triple or quadruple his salary
December 25th, 2020 at 1:43 PM ^
Fickle probably only has 2-3 years left at Cincinnati max. Dude can either become Cincinnati’s head coach then or follow Fickle to a top program. I don’t really want an OSU guy that would want to be in Ann Arbor.
December 24th, 2020 at 3:11 PM ^
Brilliant
December 24th, 2020 at 3:13 PM ^
He’s not going anywhere; he’d be a nice hire but he’ll be the next coach at cinci
December 24th, 2020 at 3:56 PM ^
Ding ding ding
December 24th, 2020 at 4:39 PM ^
Certainly looks that way. I didn't specify in the OP but those kids he mentioned thinking about when deciding not to move to Lansing? He's got six of em!
December 24th, 2020 at 4:48 PM ^
Or he could come to Michigan, significantly increase his salary, and be the next coach at Michigan.
December 24th, 2020 at 3:15 PM ^
I'd be all for it. Probably not gonna happen, though.
December 24th, 2020 at 3:20 PM ^
Doesn't sound like he'll leave. I just don't see former Buckeyes wanting to coach at UM.
December 24th, 2020 at 5:15 PM ^
Yes because that has certainly never happened before.
December 24th, 2020 at 6:28 PM ^
Yes because that has certainly never happened before.
I have to assume you're referencing Bo and that was almost 50 years ago. Can you even think of anyone else ever or at least perhaps in the last 20 or so years jumped ship that either played or coached at OSU to then coach at UM? Even Al Washington didn't play for OSU. But, he did play at BC where Brown also coached. Freeman has zero ties to anyone at UM right now.
December 24th, 2020 at 6:52 PM ^
I don’t know a single coach from the D1 level down, that makes decisions based on some loyalty factor over what is best for their career and/or their pocketbook I know a decent amount of them to some degree as well. It’s about the opportunity the potential job provides them in relation to their career aspirations. If you said he wouldn’t take it because Harbaugh may be a lame duck and he sees Michigan as too big of a mess right now to risk that move, I could get behind you. I haven’t had a coach tell me yet he wouldn’t take a better job with school A because of his loyalty to school B.
December 24th, 2020 at 7:07 PM ^
I don’t know a single coach from the D1 level down, that makes decisions based on some loyalty factor over what is best for their career and/or their pocketbook
Sure you do. Fickell passed up a P5 job at MSU to stay in his hometown state of OH at Cincy. There's a difference between turning down more money and a better position at some random place and turning down more money and a better position at a rival. I think you're underestimating the power of OSU's culture and their hatred for UM.
I haven’t had a coach tell me yet he wouldn’t take a better job with school A because of his loyalty to school B.
Were any of them former or current OSU players or coaches potentially going to UM? That's a different animal.
December 24th, 2020 at 7:21 PM ^
If Michigan is on par with MSU then you have an argument. It just may be unfortunately for us which would prevent him from taking it. As for the power of the Michigan/OSU rivalry, its not much different than others as much as you think it is. Especially those down here in the south.
December 24th, 2020 at 7:34 PM ^
As for the power of the Michigan/OSU rivalry, its not much different than others as much as you think it is. Especially those down here in the south.
The evidence is to the contrary. There are a lot of guys that have coached or played at OSU and I can't think of a single one that went to UM afterwards other than Bo. One out of thousands is not great odds for Freeman coming to UM. Maybe he's that one, but it's unlikely.
December 24th, 2020 at 9:39 PM ^
Gary Moeller puts down his beer to have a word with you.
December 25th, 2020 at 9:16 AM ^
I don’t believe you
December 26th, 2020 at 3:08 PM ^
Gary Moeller puts down his beer to have a word with you.
Moeller had ties to Bo from their time at Miami of OH. Freeman has no ties to UM.
December 24th, 2020 at 6:03 PM ^
Wish we could say the same about former UM players.
December 24th, 2020 at 3:24 PM ^
Could Michigan offer him a DC position and a promise to be coach in waiting? I’m not advocating for that, but Michigan is obviously a head coaching job that is highly sought after. I’m not sure head coaches in waiting ever really work, but how long do you think Harbaugh will be around even if successful?
December 24th, 2020 at 3:33 PM ^
He is a Buckeye a.l the way. No way he comes to M
December 24th, 2020 at 3:33 PM ^
That' usually reserved for scenarios where the HC is either close to retirement or likely to move on to a bigger job. I doubt M would offer anything like that, even informally, nor that any candidates would see it as a good thing to be "coach in waiting" in the sense there's a known risk Harbaugh ends up getting canned down the road.
December 24th, 2020 at 3:36 PM ^
UM isn't doing a HCIW for anyone let a lone a 34 year old.
December 24th, 2020 at 3:56 PM ^
It would less than zero sense to offer a 34-year-old DC from Cincy a "coaching in waiting" promise at one of the top 10 jobs in the country with as sparse a track record as he has.
I know this fanbase is desperate for change but this would only piss off a lot of other coaches for no good reason.
December 24th, 2020 at 3:39 PM ^
Here's a thought: hire him as head coach.
December 24th, 2020 at 3:39 PM ^
Considering that many of our merry band prefer coaches who PROVE they're good by ACTING intense (e.g., Chris Collins on the floor, Tom Izzo as if he's in an opera)...
... maybe we should get Morgan Freeman. He would do a great job acting like an intense coach.
December 24th, 2020 at 4:57 PM ^
I don't know why this got downvoted, it was really funny
December 24th, 2020 at 5:14 PM ^
Thanks, Benvom. Not sure what the "vom" comes from but I suspect you like the hint that it's a derivation of vomit but isn't really.
Do you know about ancient Roman vomitoria? They too seem to be about vomit but aren't.
December 24th, 2020 at 3:46 PM ^
Yeah groom the guy for the OSU DC job when it comes open.
December 24th, 2020 at 3:50 PM ^
Sounds great, so we aren't getting him.
We will get a guy we should have gotten 3 years ago. The Michigan Difference
Always 3-5 years behind the elite in CFB.