Durkin Hires Minor Staff Member away from Michigan
....and I have no idea who the guy is.
Maryland announces that Michigan defensive analyst Matt Barnes will serve as linebackers coach. He also coached under DJ Durkin at Florida.
— Roman Stubbs (@romanstubbs) January 7, 2016
h/t Rachel Lenzi and Angelique
EDIT: Title edited to eliminate implication of assault and make it less click-baity.
January 7th, 2016 at 3:12 PM ^
That title is some damn fine clickbait.
January 7th, 2016 at 3:15 PM ^
I fully admit it.
Though I was not going for the assault angle.
January 7th, 2016 at 3:17 PM ^
Gotta be in the top 10 at least.
Ok well that is marginally better.
January 7th, 2016 at 3:19 PM ^
As a long-suffering Clippers fan, I can tell you that Matt Barnes doesn't know a thing about defense.
January 7th, 2016 at 3:22 PM ^
they are a perrenial playoff team now. Don't think you can go with "long suffering" anymore.
January 7th, 2016 at 3:25 PM ^
January 7th, 2016 at 3:33 PM ^
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January 7th, 2016 at 3:33 PM ^
When a team wins a lot and is good for many years people start to hate on that team, because
most fans want an even playing field but it never happens. Soemone is always going to be really good and someone is always going to suck.
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January 7th, 2016 at 5:15 PM ^
I moved to SoCal in 1997 during Kobe's rookie season. He was an insufferable prick back then. (In my defense, I had no idea who Donald Sterling was until my Clipper fandom had sunk in.) Meanwhile, the Clippers had LOY VAUGHT!!! Laker fans with their car flags they fly during the playoffs also annoy me. It's easy to root for a winner. A true test of fandom is being able to root for your team when they are down, and there is no bigger underdog than the LA Clippers.
January 7th, 2016 at 3:25 PM ^
I like DJ but that guy is doing everything to poach Michigan I feel. First Partridge, our recruits and now Mr. Barnes.
It's like attacking the Death Star. Can't go full attack you have to shoot out the satellites then go for the defense systems before you can go for the kill.
Hey DJ Darth Maul. Back up ! Or we are going to use the force in you.
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January 7th, 2016 at 3:27 PM ^
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January 7th, 2016 at 3:29 PM ^
The guy went from unknown analyst to Big Ten position coach, good for him. I'm sure Harbaugh will be able to find someone with similar defensive analysis acumen to fill the role.
January 7th, 2016 at 3:31 PM ^
January 7th, 2016 at 5:15 PM ^
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January 7th, 2016 at 3:32 PM ^
Is he the brains who came up with the OSU defensive gameplan? The answer to that question might have some bearing on how much I care about this... or not. One never knows.
January 7th, 2016 at 3:41 PM ^
Look at it this way: Jim Harbaugh has a gigantic network of contacts across college and pro football. Durkin, not so much. He's a young guy still building his reputation. Putting a staff together is a lot harder for him than it is for Harbaugh, especially at a crappy program like Maryland. The guys who are most likely to say yes to his coaching offers are people he already knows. And having worked with them, he knows if they can coexist. It makes all the sense in the world for him to try to hire some of our staffers. Analysts are pretty much a dime a dozen anyway.
January 7th, 2016 at 3:26 PM ^
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January 7th, 2016 at 10:40 PM ^
developing input on halftime adjustments. This could be quite the novel development at Maryland relative to the Edsall era.
As far as Barnes being the head LB coach, that is likely years in the future. No shortage of coaching experience on Durkin's new staff, defensive and otherwise. Nice new title for Barnes though, certainly too good to pass up as others have noted.
The main Michigan-related Maryland rumor is the possible hiring of the Buffalo Bills' assistant OL coach, Kurt Anderson, as Maryland OL coach. Everyone is certainly hoping it comes to pass.
January 7th, 2016 at 3:30 PM ^
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January 7th, 2016 at 3:31 PM ^
We are hiring John Jancek (formerly Tennessee Vols' DC) to take his spot.
January 7th, 2016 at 3:36 PM ^
Harbaugh with the clutch contingency plan.
Blood pressure lowers back to normal from slightly elevated status.
January 7th, 2016 at 3:41 PM ^
is this confirmed or MGoSpeculation?
January 7th, 2016 at 3:47 PM ^
I was kidding, but it would make sense seeing as how he is from Michigan, coached in Michigan, and just parted ways with Tennessee late in the game. I'd say if he wants to coach this upcoming season, it will have to be in a role like this.
EDIT: It also wouldn't be all that uncommon for Coach Harbaugh. T.J. Weist joined as an Offensive Consultant in January 2015 after not being able to nail down a permanent position.
January 7th, 2016 at 3:42 PM ^
I have a feeling the new hire will be a bigger name. Maybe Bush Sr.?
January 7th, 2016 at 3:51 PM ^
Would be a great hire. I did look and the pay last year for this position was $50k. It was lower than most of the other Consultants. Something tells me Harbaugh and Michigan would pay closer to $80k this time around (for their #3 D-Consultant) since Ms. Bush makes $106k per year.
January 7th, 2016 at 3:44 PM ^
on the U-M hiring page the other day:
January 7th, 2016 at 4:24 PM ^
Good catch there. Take a look at that Job Posting timeframe. Job only open a week. They likely already have someone in mind, but have to post the opening to the general public for legal reasons.
January 7th, 2016 at 3:49 PM ^
January 7th, 2016 at 3:57 PM ^
Doubt that this is a significant loss..but I don't understand all the people wishing good luck to a guy no one knows anything about except that he will now coach and recruit against UM. Nope I hope he does 'alright' but gets embarrassed by UM...goes double for Durkin..he should've gone out of Division.
January 7th, 2016 at 4:02 PM ^
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January 7th, 2016 at 4:09 PM ^
and wanting to kill his shitty team as bad as we can? I mean, I am on board but wanted to get everyones thoughts?
You think JH will hold a grudge after that embarassing OSU loss?
January 7th, 2016 at 4:42 PM ^
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January 7th, 2016 at 8:06 PM ^
He can afford to and it looks good on him.
But ever since Jurkinoff tried to steal away our Jersey guy (Partridge) I've hated him with a hate usually reserved for tOSU coaches and the former Sweater Vest bitches who have infiltrated E. Lansing.
January 7th, 2016 at 8:54 PM ^
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January 7th, 2016 at 4:47 PM ^
it's pretty clear now that Durkin and Harbaugh left on and are on good terms. Good luck to Barnes and to Durkin. I hope they win every game in the B1G East except ours.
January 7th, 2016 at 4:48 PM ^
January 7th, 2016 at 5:09 PM ^
He'ss be successful with 8-4/ 9-3 type seasons as long as he's competitive with OSU, MSU, UM and beats PSU regularly. He'll be loved in college park.
January 7th, 2016 at 5:09 PM ^
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January 7th, 2016 at 6:04 PM ^
He should be barred from entering The Big House, or at least forced to coach from the booth. Once Harbaugh starts whupping his ass ala Carr's treatment of Paterno, he will appreciate being close to the rest rooms.
Joe did anyways.
January 7th, 2016 at 7:30 PM ^
January 7th, 2016 at 9:49 PM ^
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January 7th, 2016 at 9:53 PM ^
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January 7th, 2016 at 10:15 PM ^
I don't think Barnes was as insignificant as some are making him out to be. True, he's not one of the 9 official assistants, but he's one of those guys the players love and relate to. A "glue" guy, as some say. But change = opportunity. And I suspect Jim will find a way to use this opportunity to make the team better.
January 7th, 2016 at 11:00 PM ^
That was a strong move bringing in Brown. He was certainly very good when he was at Maryland. He of course knew better than to become associated with Edsall - after Fridge was let go due to becoming a golf cart bound massive old guy people seriously worried might stroke out during a game. Helluva football mind was Fridge though.