brady hoke
al borges
noel mazzone

Al Borges Fired Comment Count

Ace


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Per the Athletic Department, offensive coordinator Al Borges has been fired. Here's the entirety of the press release:

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- University of Michigan head football coach Brady Hoke announced today (Wednesday, Jan. 8) that offensive coordinator Al Borges will not be retained for the 2014 season.

"Decisions like these are never easy," said Hoke. "I have a great amount of respect for Al as a football coach and, more importantly, as a person.  I appreciate everything he has done for Michigan Football for the past three seasons." 

Prior to joining U-M in 2011, Borges was a member of Hoke's staff at San Diego State in 2009 and '10.

The Wolverines will begin spring practice on Feb. 25 and finish with the annual Spring Game on Saturday, April 5, at Michigan Stadium.

The fallout will be covered in exhaustive detail in the coming days. One interesting candidate—coincidentally, from Borges' former school—is rumored to have been contacted by Brady Hoke regarding the now-open position, according to coachingsearch.com:

A source tells me that Brady Hoke has reached out to UCLA offensive coordinator / quarterbacks coach Noel Mazzone and at least one NFL assistant, though Mazzone isn't likely to leave for Ann Arbor. 

Mazzone runs an "uptempo no-huddle spread," according to Chris Brown (Smart Football); even if he's not interested in the job, moving in that direction would certainly please the people who write for this here blog. As for recruiting, it's unlikely the class of 2014 will be affected much, if at all, and there's plenty of time to make up any lost ground in the 2015 class. Again, we'll have much, much more on this in the coming days.

Comments

brewandbluesaturdays

January 8th, 2014 at 6:10 PM ^

Every day I logged on, waiting to hear news one way or the other on this. Can't say I'm surprised, seemed like a move had to be made. I wish we could have had Al Borges vs. OSU play calling every single game, I liked that Al.

Joined: 01/23/2009

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Bando Calrissian

January 8th, 2014 at 6:11 PM ^

Somewhere, Brady Hoke and Dave Brandon are staring at identical coaching search dossier folders with "Operation: Big Boy Football" written on the tab. 

I don't feel good about this.

Joined: 07/02/2008

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MGoStrength

January 8th, 2014 at 6:11 PM ^

He just proved that although he may have publicly supported Borges without question that behind the scenes there were obviously questions being asked and people being held accountable.  I think this is an important step in at least the fans realizing who Hoke is as a coach since he doesn't share those insights with the media.  I still have to wonder if/why Funk wasn't also let go.

Joined: 07/29/2010

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Muttley

January 8th, 2014 at 8:21 PM ^

IMO, when the new OC & Hoke decide on the new OL coach, Funk's departure will be announced.  Funk will be thanked for his service, and the focus will be placed on the new OC and "his" new OL guy.

It's the most graceful way to handle it.

Joined: 07/07/2009

MGoPoints: -73245

MIdocHI

January 8th, 2014 at 6:12 PM ^

I did not expect it, but I am very glad that we will have a new offensive coordinator next year.  It will be interesting to know if this was Hoke's decision or Brandon's.

Joined: 11/08/2009

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brewandbluesaturdays

January 8th, 2014 at 6:21 PM ^

I doubt that Hoke goes to far away from his core beliefs and offensive philosophy, but instead goes for someone who can utilize the obvious talent he has. I personally don't see a scenario in either one of those guys leaving. Shane Morris is one year away from being able to start for his childhood team and Speight is so tight with his recruiting class and knows in one year he can compete for a starting job.

Joined: 01/23/2009

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GoBLUinTX

January 8th, 2014 at 7:10 PM ^

I merely asked a question based upon the idea that Hoke will look to change his offense philosophy.  Why you and others find the need to question my motives is an interesting question as I've expressed no opinion one way or the other.

Joined: 12/02/2013

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GoBLUinTX

January 8th, 2014 at 8:14 PM ^

just a question.  I saw what happened six years ago when Michigan changed its offense, and I saw what happened three years ago with Hoke making Denard comfortable so as to keep him from transfering.  The idea has been posited that Michgan will once again change offensive philosophy, so ye that shall neg, why shouldn't it be a legitimate question to ask about the current QB situation?

Joined: 12/02/2013

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Muttley

January 8th, 2014 at 8:27 PM ^

As in forward on running plays.

We've been recruiting for the pro-style, so I think it would be a setback to flip-flop to another style.

The problems were a lot more fundamental than the style of play or play calling.  Football is about blocking and tackling.  We couldn't block anybody.  That's the problem that needs to be fixed.

Joined: 07/07/2009

MGoPoints: -73245

Muttley

January 8th, 2014 at 11:45 PM ^

--or now that we know that Nussmeier is the hire--created a need for a serious upgrade in the staff.

Most folks at Borges' level of pay are somewhat responsible for creating the conditions for their own success.  Perhaps Borges biggest mistake was not going to Hoke last year and demanding a new OL coach.

It goes with the territory.

Joined: 07/07/2009

MGoPoints: -73245

WolvinLA2

January 8th, 2014 at 7:07 PM ^

We don't know if that's true.  Hoke took the "support your assistants until they're gone" philosophy, which many coaches take.  Just because he said positive things about Borges at the time, didn't mean he meant them.  Considering Hoke has now fired Borges, it's safe to say he didn't mean most of it.

Joined: 11/13/2009

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BlueSwave34

January 8th, 2014 at 8:06 PM ^

I disagree.. I think Hoke did like Borges and did believe in his game plans and play calling. Borges was with Hoke for 2 years at San Diego St. You can't tell me that he would bring Borges to Ann Arbor if he didn't believe in him100%. This is and always will be B. Hokes dream job and I have to believe that he wholeheartedly thought that big Al was the right OC. Had to be a very tough day for our coach and I commend him on his decision. Go Blur forever!!

Joined: 10/15/2008

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Hugh White

January 8th, 2014 at 6:18 PM ^

I realize that job performance and evaluating a coordinator is never about a single play or a single set of downs.  And participants on this site have been discussing Borges' job security over a LONG period time.

However, if I had to choose a single moment when he was sure to have earned the boot, it would be when Northwestern punted into that crazy wind, and the punt went a couple of feet forward giving Michigan the ball on NW's 10-yard line. Nonetheless, M could not punch it in from 10 yards out. 

Done.

Joined: 11/26/2012

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markusr2007

January 8th, 2014 at 6:19 PM ^

Except now I'm worried about the replacement.

Hopefully somebody young and unfamiliar to the world, but really sharp.

Or Hoke goes back to his comfort zone and selects Stan Parrish as OC.  I hope not.

It would be ironic also because Michigan just lost a bowl game to.......Kansas State.

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