basketball
coaching changes
jeff meyer
jerry dunn
john mahoney

Basketball Coaching Staff Changes Comment Count

Tim

Press Release - Dunn leaving was no surprise after his leave of absence this year, I think Mahoney's departure is less expected.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- University of Michigan coach John Beilein announced today (Friday, April 9) that Jeff Meyer will move permanently into an assistant coaching role following his elevation midway through the 2009-10 season. In addition, Beilein announced associate head coach Jerry Dunn and assistant coach John Mahoney will be leaving the program to pursue other collegiate coaching opportunities.

"I have a clear vision of where I want this program to go and how I would like to complete my coaching staff," said Beilein regarding the vacancy. "I see this change as a unique opportunity to add another highly qualified individual to our Michigan Basketball program."

"I have decided to continue Jeff Meyer’s role as an assistant coach," added Beilein. "He did an incredible job filling in this season and will be a tremendous asset in our recruiting efforts in the footprint of the Big Ten. Jeff is a great teacher of the game and I look forward to his presence on and off the floor next season. "

Meyer joined the Wolverine Basketball staff as an administrative assistant two seasons ago and was elevated to assistant coach midway through the 2009-10 season following a leave of absence by Jerry Dunn for personal family reasons.

Meyer has over 31 years experience in collegiate basketball, with 16 of those seasons coming as a head coach at Liberty (1981-97). He had assistant coaching stops at Indiana (2006-08), Missouri (2004-06), Butler (2001-04), South Florida (1980-81) and Purdue (1978-80), as well as an associate head coaching position at Winthrop (1998-2001). Throughout his coaching career, Meyer has been a part of nine NCAA Tournament and four NIT postseason appearances.

"Jerry Dunn has been a successful head coach in the past and would like to do so again," said Beilein. "He is now going to put all of his efforts toward that goal. I have worked with Jerry for seven years and appreciate his many contributions to the success of our programs. He will continue to work with me on several administrative tasks until the end of the April."

"I want to be a head coach again and the only way to be fair to the program is to pursue these opportunities with my entire focus," said Dunn. "I have enjoyed spending the past seven years with John. We have had a lot of success together and I have learned a great deal during that time. Michigan has made great strides getting back to the tournament but it is time to move on and pursue my goal. My time with the Michigan Family has been enjoyable and I wish our program and the university nothing but success."

Dunn worked alongside Beilein the last seven years as his associate head coach, both at Michigan and West Virginia. Dunn is known most for his work in the Big Ten, spending 20 years at Penn State, including eight as head coach of the Nittany Lions. Four of Dunn's PSU teams reached postseason play, twice at the NCAA Tournament (1996 and 2001) and on two occasions in the NIT (1998 and 2000). He led the Nittany Lions to the championship game of the 1998 NIT and guided the program to a Sweet 16 appearance in 2001.

"John Mahoney is one of the hardest working coaches in the business," said Beilein. "He is a tireless recruiter and I am confident he will prove to be a valuable asset wherever he coaches next year. We wish him nothing but the best in the future and thank him for his loyalty and commitment to our program."

"I wish to thank Coach Beilein, the players and everyone at the University of Michigan for giving me the opportunity over the last three years to continue to not only grow as a person, but as a coach," said Mahoney. "It's never easy to leave a program that you have worked so hard to build, but I am looking forward to this next progression of my career and my pursuit of becoming a collegiate head coach."

Mahoney worked the past five seasons with Beilein at Michigan and West Virginia. He was an assistant coach the last three years at U-M and was West Virginia’s Director of Basketball Operations for two seasons before coming to Ann Arbor. In his 22-year coaching career, Mahoney had assistant coaching stops at Duquesne (2001-05) and Robert Morris (1998-2001). Before entering the Division I coaching ranks, Mahoney was the head coach at Mount Aloysius College (1994-98) and began his coaching career as the boys' head coach at Our Lady of Sacred Heart High School (1986-94).

Comments

Blue boy johnson

April 9th, 2010 at 8:25 PM ^

Maybe this is a good opportunity for Belien to add an in state coach to the team. Carlton Valentine at Lansing Sexton or Michael Thomas at Kalamazoo Central have done nice jobs. Possible someone with some PSL links.

Joined: 03/15/2009

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dahblue

April 9th, 2010 at 10:29 PM ^

It's a bit of a mystery to me why folks feel Beilein doesn't have a good relationship with the PSL. Being new to the region, he can't get super comfortable immediately, but Mike Jackson is extremely well received in the City. Also, while the best talent (in the past) was in the PSL, that talent has spread out to DCDS, Southfield, etc. The AAU game is much more important than high school now. I don't know that to be a good thing, but it's the current state of affairs. We have a strong presence in the City. Finally, excellent avatar.

Joined: 11/09/2009

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joeburner82

April 10th, 2010 at 12:43 AM ^

That is a great point. The in-state recruiting needs to pick up and an assistant coach with local connections could help Beilein. Michigan's ultimate success will depend on recruiting the PSL and the other hot spots within the state. The knock on Beilein when he was hired was his recruiting ability. Unfortunately, that knock has yet to be proven wrong. The momentum could swing if he lands Trey Zeigler. Recruiting "talent" will alway trump recruiting "system" players. Rich Rod is recruiting superior talent to fit his system, Beilein needs to do the same.

Joined: 01/19/2010

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dahblue

April 10th, 2010 at 1:04 AM ^

I've got nothing adding ANOTHER assistant with local connections, but what gives with the ignoring our top local recruiter? Coach Jackson brought in DeShawn and Manny. He is recruiting Trey. He is universally respected in Detroit bball circles. We are on the verge of a top 15 recruiting class (if we land Trey)...Morris was the #10 PG nationally last year. We are getting talent. We have respect in the City. And, as mentioned already, the PSL is not what it was. Good players are all over the metro area and AAU ball trumps high school. Our local recruiting is just fine. We can always get better, but I think you're not taking into account the resources and staff we currently have.

Joined: 11/09/2009

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joeburner82

April 10th, 2010 at 2:48 AM ^

The PSL isn't producing as many names lately, but the talent will be come back around and is still pretty good. Don't forget about Jordan Crawford and Durrell Summers. They are from the PSL and played outstanding in the NCAA tourney. Morris is very young and will be a solid in the future, but he didn't reach the level of C.J. Lee or David Merrit (walk-on players)this past season. Deshawn & Manny are long gone and were not Beilein's players to begin with. If Beilein lands Zeigler, I will gladly eat my words. By the way, you are crazy if you think AAU basketball trumps high school basketball in the state of Michigan. High School basketball provides the necessary dicsipline for players to be successful. AAU basketball boosts egos.

Joined: 01/19/2010

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dahblue

April 10th, 2010 at 12:31 PM ^

I'm not exactly sure what your point is. You said we needed a local guy to recruit the PSL. We already have a great local guy - Mike Jackson (although I'll always take another). Everyone in the PSL knows and likes him. Yes, Captain Obvious, Manny and DeShawn are gone, but they were Jackson's recruits. You think he'll never get another? We won't get every PSL player, but we're in fine shape there. Hopefully (and expectedly) you'll be eating your words about Ziegler shortly. But again, remember that you are complaining that Manny and DeShawn weren't Beilein's players (even though they were his assistant's "players"). Then, you call for a new assistant to bring in players like Manny and DeShawn. With that logic, they still wouldn't be "Beilein's players". Anyway, I'm not sure you realize the role of AAU ball in recruiting. I'm not saying that's a good thing, but it is a fact that AAU is more important than high school with regard to recruiting. We are fortunate though to have good relations among AAU coaches and high school coaches. It's a different world today then it was some years back.

Joined: 11/09/2009

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Steve in PA

April 10th, 2010 at 4:16 PM ^

AAU probably develops more college talent than HS by far. AAU teams are essentially allstar teams that play after the school ball season has ended. They play as many, if not more games than school ball leagues and the level of competition is much higher. Most kids with BB dreams dream of being on an AAU team. When my son was invited to be on a team he was more proud than at any point thus far in his BB career.

Joined: 08/10/2009

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UMICH1606

April 9th, 2010 at 10:05 PM ^

I know it is probably the longest of long shots , but with Jalen's connections to Detroit, and his popularity around the state, I would love to see him come back and join the staff.

Joined: 02/21/2010

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Steve in PA

April 9th, 2010 at 10:09 PM ^

Jerry Dunn was the coach at PSU when I was there and is a class act. I cannot help but think both coaches will be looking at lower level schools since they are not going out when Michigan is on a high note and that will certainly effect their demand.

Joined: 08/10/2009

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M-Wolverine

April 9th, 2010 at 11:19 PM ^

Meyer was the administrative specialist for the team, and got promoted when Dunn had his leave. Before he was at Indiana, and, I assume, was not kept on when they changed head coach there, making him available (looking for work, period). It is kinda curious that Mahoney is being let go though. I have no strong feelings on it one way or another. But strange. Either half-full or half empty, it seems like a panic move, OR he's got someone in mind to really upgrade the staff.

Joined: 10/04/2009

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mgovictors23

April 10th, 2010 at 9:49 AM ^

Personally I feel we need another in-state guy to help with recruiting. We just need to start getting the top talent in state to come play for us and we will be one of the better teams in the Big Ten again.

Joined: 05/03/2009

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belville

April 10th, 2010 at 10:05 AM ^

I hope that the changes represent UM moving forward with a plan of improving the recruiting focus of the staff. I think Dunn leaving is a big loss and I hate to think that anybody might consider this as jumping a sinking ship.

Joined: 07/06/2008

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NYWolverine

April 10th, 2010 at 7:42 PM ^

Old (Current) Staff: John Beilein - Head Coach Jerry Dunn - Associate Head Coach Mike Jackson - Assistant Coach John Mahoney - Assistant Coach Jeff Meyer - Administrative Specialist Brian Townsend - Director of Basketball Operations Jerry Dunn is out. Excellent Xs&Os guy, head-coaching experience in the Big Ten, players responded well to him. His loss was evident last year during his absence. I was surprised this blog didn't emphasize that more. John Mahoney is out. He was Beilein's DOBO at WV, was elevated to Asst. Coach at Michigan. He's a Danny Nee protege (successful long-time coach at Nebraska, stints at Duquesne, Rutgers, now Towson). Wouldn't be surprised to see him with Nee at Towson next year. I don't think Mahoney was an impact coach at Michigan, but I wish him the best. Retaining Jeff Meyer is KEY. This is a guy who can quietly replace Jerry Dunn at asst. head coach, and was probably brought in to do so. Thirty years of coaching experience, nine NCAA appearances, 4 NITs. Coaching stops at some hot programs in their prime (Butler, a sharpshooter's program similar to Beilein's system) and throughout the midwest. This leaves us with Brian Townsend, current DOBO and hometown favorite son (former UM football standout turned basketball coach at Pioneer - coached LaVell in HS) and Mike Jackson. Mike Jackson is currently our top recruiter. He's a native Detroiter with the closest contacts and ties to the area. He's a guy who had developed players in the past, at his coaching stop at U-Detroit, into NBA talent. He's a perimeter-player man. This is a guy who you want, on championship teams, as your DOBO. I think Michigan's problems last year had a lot more to do with the coaching upheaval caused by Dunn's leave than was made of it. The coaching chemistry was clearly turned on its ear. In most staffs, the coach will have a high-confidence guy as asst. head coach, and the others are floor specialists, with the DOBO simply an active recruiter and admin. man for the most part. On last year's squad, Beilein lost his confidence man in Dunn, struggled to form the same chemistry during the season with Meyer, and his remaining coaches (a perimeter player floor specialist in Jackson and Beilein chemistry guy in Mahoney) had to evolve into roles they clearly were not comfortable with, and probably butting heads to some extent. I think you look at successfully coached programs and you see the same structure - head coach (exec. leadership), asst. head (x's and o's guru, long tenured, winning percentage), Asst. Coach (someone with NBA experience preferably, a floor specialist to speak directly to specific key system players during games), Asst. Coach (head coach companion, chemistry guy, possibly a former player, pref. a guy head coach sent to NBA), and DOBO (top-recruiter for team). As it plays out, we obviously retain an excellent head coach. I think we fill the asst. head spot with Meyer. I think you keep Mike Jackson as Asst. Coach, and you look for a strong defensive-minded 1-3-1 coach to fill Mahoney's Asst. spot. I don't think this spot can be filled by elevating Townsend, a guy with very limited collegiate coaching experience and more of an Ann Arbor and UM figure-head than a basketball program standout. You look at our current staff and there are two immediate needs. One: you need another top recruiter to ease the burden on Mike, and you make that new guy your DOBO. How awesome would it be if we could get Jalen Rose, an AAU tournament namesake, as our DOBO?! Wishful thinking, but an AAU guy would have to be a serious look nonetheless. Second: you look for a defensive minded coach to speak directly to Michigan's 3, 4 and 5 during games. A guy like Coach Woj at Duke. Lastly, I think you look for a third guy, another asst. coach. Unless I'm missing Townsend's utility to this program, I think he's expendable (but from what I understand, he is immensely well-liked, and I can see why. Great Michigan Man for everything it's worth). I just want a recruiter with AAU ties at DOBO. DOBOs have a lot more time to focus on recruiting than the assistants. I don't think Townsend is ready to be elevated though.

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