Greg Mattison Is Michigan's Defensive Coordinator
our coordinators have the exact same hair. no nonsense hair.
no one will ever say their hair is the best part of them.
This seemed like a far-fetched rumor when it started buzzing but lo, it is true:
Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Greg Mattison is expected to go the University of Michigan as their new defensive coordinator, according to a league source with knowledge of the situation.
No deal has been formally reached, though.
He would likely be replaced in Baltimore by secondary coach Chuck Pagano.
UPDATE: Mattison has taken the job and Pagano has replaced him.
I“We’re excited for our defense and for Chuck, and we’re happy for Greg Mattison,” coach John Harbaugh said. “I will talk more about it tomorrow when we formally announced Chuck as our new coordinator in a press conference.”
Mattison is the best possible hire of all rumored names, a veteran with a history of excellent defenses in both college and the NFL. He coordinated Michigan's stout '95 and '96 defenses and can probably take some credit for the national championship-winning '97 edition. After leaving Michigan, Mattison was Notre Dame's DC for a few seasons, then moved on to be co-DC at Florida with Charlie Strong. He's been with the Ravens the last three years.
This isn't exactly hiring Gus Malzahn—Chizik was a great DC himself before becoming a head coach—but it's the closest possible thing, an indication that Michigan is no longer skimping on assistant salaries. When the above-linked article finishes "Mattison has been successful with the Ravens, so this is a bit of a surprise," you know you're dropping some coin.
Hope meter: incremented.
Also, there's an official release on much of the rest of the staff:
Hoke Announces Seven Staff Appointments
ANN ARBOR – University of Michigan head coach Brady Hoke announced today (Tuesday, Jan. 18) the hiring of seven staff members to his Wolverine coaching and support staff. Hoke named six of the nine assistant coaching positions and the appointment of his strength and conditioning coach.
Six members of the San Diego State staff joined Hoke in Ann Arbor. Al Borges will coordinate the offense and work with the quarterbacks, Dan Ferrigno will coordinate the special teams and coach the tight ends, Darrell Funk will coach the offensive line, Jeff Hecklinski mentors the wide receivers and Mark Smith has been appointed linebackers coach. Aaron Wellman also joined the Wolverines’ staff as the strength and conditioning coach.
Hoke rehired long time Michigan running backs coach Fred Jackson to the same position on the staff. Jackson will begin his 20th season as a member of the Wolverine coaching staff in 2011.
All but Ferrigno were already known, and Ferrigno was suspected. Borges is listed as QB/OC so that probably means Loeffler won't return—and that's how Michigan can afford an esoteric TE/ST coach.
Michigan still has two open assistant slots and holes at DB, DL, and QB. Since Hoke and Mattison both have extensive experience as DL coaches it's not 100% that QB is the spot that goes unfilled but it's probable. Bringing in another offensive coach would mean the staff had five offensive assistants and just two on D.
BONUS: Michigan's also hiring Hoke's director of operations, so this will probably be the first and last time you think about this name: Bob Lopez. May he be a thousand times more obscure than Draper and Labadie.
January 19th, 2011 at 12:43 AM ^
About what Hoke is doing is that he is limiting his ego in an effort to bring in the best people. The other thing about the hires that is obvious to me is they can do amazing things with QUALITY talent. Hoke believes he can recruit, and can bring in the best players. Borges and Mattison can take the best players and make them stars. Borges record when he doesn't have max talent is subpar but with good talent is great.
Then what Hoke does is HE GETS OUT OF THE WAY! Rocky Long called all the defenses an Borges called the offense. And for those of you who don't believe we will adjust or innovate watch the SDSU bowl game or any of Mattison's defenses. They adjust and they attack.
The key to next year will be how accurate is Denard. Because I think that is the key to a Borges offense. Otherwise it will be a lot of rollouts and a lot of QB iso to open up passing lanes.
January 19th, 2011 at 1:16 AM ^
But many of the fine gentleman at the TSIO Scout board (Hineygate?) seem to be just a but apprehensive about the direction that Michigan is heading.
It's a bad sign that they're taking it so calmly, hell, even enthusiastically that we may be on the upswing. That's what happens after the mess of the past few years. But I'm really starting to believe that in a year or two the hate - and the fear - will be back in Columbus.
http://mbd.scout.com/mb.aspx?s=145&f=3154&t=7068710
January 19th, 2011 at 6:08 AM ^
...but this was funny:
Gone is Michigans finicky, underdeveloped, physically weak, technically challenged, and fundamentally retarded defense.
January 19th, 2011 at 2:35 AM ^
Those Who Stay, Or Return, Will Be Champions!
January 19th, 2011 at 3:50 AM ^
A hire everyone can feel good about.
January 19th, 2011 at 9:15 AM ^
huh? something about feeling good?
January 19th, 2011 at 8:55 AM ^
Hoke is looking like a genius after this hire. Nice work. Starting to see the "sunrise" after the dark days that have been michgian football the last couple years.
January 19th, 2011 at 8:59 AM ^
How much will Mattison make? When you think about it, he may actually be a "bigger name" hire than Hoke. The Ravens D is fairly good, people tell me.
January 19th, 2011 at 9:22 AM ^
It just gets better and better. We got the Ravens DC!?!?! Are you kidding me. I couldn't ask for a better DC. Hoke also looks like he going to be able to not only save this recruiting class but make it respectable. GO BLUE!
January 19th, 2011 at 9:36 AM ^
That is all.
January 19th, 2011 at 9:38 AM ^
What does everyone think about the effect of this hire on the remaining Defensive recruits? I would think its a definite plus that will help the class stay together. Who wouldn't want to play for a guy who coached E.Reed and Ray Lewis, with success?
January 19th, 2011 at 10:35 AM ^
Huzzah! Bless you Steelers, you changed the course of M football for God knows how long.
January 19th, 2011 at 11:20 AM ^
The only thing i'm worried about is negative recruiting. Other coaches telling the players that he will not be here that long because of his age. What would be nice would be to pick up a young talented defensive position coach for Mattison to take with him on recruiting trips. Mattison could name him as sort of a DC in waiting so recruits could feel more secure. I have no ideas about who this young coach could be, maybe someone more knowledgable than me could make a suggestion.
That being said this is still a great hire and it's nice to see Michigan moving in the right direction.
January 19th, 2011 at 11:28 AM ^
ok... bad joke...
January 19th, 2011 at 11:28 AM ^
I am excited for next year. Put together a decent defensive scheme and we can compete with anyone!
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