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 18th, 2011 at 6:58 PM ^
When in doubt bring in top notch assistants to make everything easier. A real nice hire and he has dealt with mobile Qb's and spread offenses before. If anything I gotta give Hoke credit for at least surrounding himself with quality assistants.
Now lets go get a few DT's and maybe a good safety or two.
January 18th, 2011 at 7:00 PM ^
Why didn't you make a comment about how great Mattison's defenses have been in college? Consistent top 30 defenses throughout his college career where his teams had a lot of sacks. Wish you would have said something about that so people can stop with the whole Lewis and Reed made him look good comments.
January 18th, 2011 at 7:03 PM ^
"Mattison is the best possible hire of all rumored names, a veteran with a history of excellent defenses in both college and the NFL"
where did i read that? oh wait that's right, it was in the post....
January 18th, 2011 at 7:09 PM ^
Well some actual specifics would have been nice. Generalizations don't really tell people anything.
January 18th, 2011 at 7:57 PM ^
You're generally a dick.
January 18th, 2011 at 8:23 PM ^
Thanks. It's something I work hard at.
January 18th, 2011 at 8:29 PM ^
You are what you eat.
January 18th, 2011 at 8:09 PM ^
<
Well some actual specifics would have been nice. Generalizations don't really tell people anything.
Are you retarded? From the post: "He coordinated Michigan's stout '95 and '96 defenses and can probably take some credit for the national championship-winning '97 edition"
January 18th, 2011 at 8:18 PM ^
Hmm we had 3 good defenses in a row, coinciding with the 3 years Woodson played. I see a trend; good players make good coaches
January 18th, 2011 at 8:24 PM ^
True, but not all coaches develop good players into good units.
January 18th, 2011 at 8:35 PM ^
Jim Herrman, 2005
January 18th, 2011 at 8:35 PM ^
Or even two.
See: 2009
January 18th, 2011 at 8:45 PM ^
Woodson played RB in high school. Someone had to refine his athletic skill into defensive production
January 18th, 2011 at 10:37 PM ^
Actually plahyed RB and corner in high school. When he came out, Lloyd asked him which position he wanted to play and he chose corner because he believed that a corner would have a longer NFL shelf life than a RB.
1) talk about level headed at 18 years old
2) um, nice choice, Mr. Woodson, who won the NFL D player of the year at 34.
January 18th, 2011 at 10:05 PM ^
Do we really have some douche bags on here complaining that Brian didn't spoon feed them information??? Use google if you want more info!! Oh and we actually have people that are taking credit away from Mattison and giving it all to Charles Woodson? Stop bitching about Mattison! I cant believe these people. You dont hear Woodson saying, "all Michigan needs is another player like me and they will be back" no he gives praise for the hoke hire and he will give praise for this hire too!!!
January 18th, 2011 at 6:59 PM ^
Oldy but a goody.
January 18th, 2011 at 7:37 PM ^
as old as he looks. :)
January 18th, 2011 at 7:00 PM ^
IT'S PEANUT BUTTER JELLY TIME!
January 18th, 2011 at 7:06 PM ^
This place has been so glum, if we find something even Brian can't complain about, it deserves some dancing banana.
January 18th, 2011 at 7:19 PM ^
Played it twice!
January 18th, 2011 at 7:32 PM ^
the longest damned song I have ever heard.
Love the concept, but. (Not playa hatin', I hope.)
January 18th, 2011 at 8:36 PM ^
Woah...nostalgia time...peanut butter jelly with a baseball bat! :-)
January 18th, 2011 at 7:01 PM ^
For an equivalent college job. Interesting.
<br>
<br>Not a bad hire. For all the Shannon love, if he was so hot right now, why hasn't somebody already snatched him up?
<br>
<br>And for anyone who thinks Hoke is a Lloyd stooge, this goes against that. Lloyd was still pissed that he went to ND. Matty did have that D humming in 95 and 96. They just unleashed the hounds in 97.
January 18th, 2011 at 7:06 PM ^
Just speculation but I'll take a stab. Maybe he likes college better than the NFL. I also think he has family in AA. Maybe a couple reasons.
January 18th, 2011 at 7:08 PM ^
His daughter is currently living in Ann Arbor and is about to have a baby soon.
January 18th, 2011 at 7:20 PM ^
His daughter is currently living in Ann Arbor and is about to have a baby soon.
BOOM PRESS RELEASED
January 18th, 2011 at 8:52 PM ^
Introducing "Gramps" Mattison. His record sure looks promising; I also hope his shiny bald pate can intimidate more opposing offenses than Gerg's lustrous locks ever did.
"GET OFF MY LAWN!"
January 18th, 2011 at 9:07 PM ^
There's a really good t-shirt in there somewhere....
January 18th, 2011 at 7:09 PM ^
More that it's a feather in the program's cap, when many were doubting it had ANY pull left. He's probably helping an old friend out, in nice environment, where he knows he can retire from the position rather than get canned the first time half his defense gets injured, or they start retiring, and he gets the blame for it. He certainly gone through some political ups and downs at the positions he's been at, even while producing nice defense. I think it's a nice hire.
January 18th, 2011 at 7:46 PM ^
This is the hire I have been waiting for and I would like to thank my Steelers for making this announcement possible. Now lets get out there and fucking recruit bitches!
January 19th, 2011 at 12:03 AM ^
Now lets get out there and fucking recruit bitches!
Missing comma is missing. Allow me:
Now lets get out there and fucking recruit, bitches!
January 19th, 2011 at 2:37 AM ^
"Now let's get out there and fucking, recruit bitches!"
January 19th, 2011 at 8:48 AM ^
Your comma placement is surprisingly in line with your avatar.
January 18th, 2011 at 8:28 PM ^
I have read a number of places that he has a daughter in A2 who is about to give birth.
January 18th, 2011 at 10:39 PM ^
a few posts above yours.....
January 18th, 2011 at 8:53 PM ^
FWIW, he has never left Miami (the city) except for a brief stint in Dallas as a LB for the cowboys (per wikipedia). Obviously speculation on my part but maybe he is too tied to the area to leave.
January 19th, 2011 at 9:52 AM ^
Beyond the reasons mentioned (has love for U of M, has family in the area) there was some bitching by Baltimore fans about the defense over the last two year (since Sexy Rex Ryan left) and maybe he was tired of it. I know it's hard to believe b/c Ravens have a Top 10 defense, but there have been complaints, nonetheless.
For example, see this post:
http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/bthesite/vensel/2011/01/s…
Point #3's key quote: "Before the end of Saturday’s game, some very frustrated Ravens fans were already calling for the head of defensive coordinator Greg Mattison, too. Mattison’s patented three-man rush..."
In short, like all fans, they want to see pressure all the time, which he apparently doesn't do. In any event, looks like it's not the end of the 3 man rush!
January 18th, 2011 at 7:09 PM ^
Nice pic. Glad to hear we were able to hire GM.
<br>May he never be known as GERG.
January 18th, 2011 at 7:33 PM ^
that dude was cool
January 19th, 2011 at 7:42 AM ^
What a happy cloud.
January 18th, 2011 at 7:03 PM ^
WELCOME BOB LOPEZ
January 18th, 2011 at 7:05 PM ^
I believe you mean Hello: Bob Lopez
January 18th, 2011 at 7:56 PM ^
to make everyone drink.
January 18th, 2011 at 11:09 PM ^
take a bong hit.
January 18th, 2011 at 7:35 PM ^
Now there is Lopezalooza!
January 18th, 2011 at 7:03 PM ^
FTR, Matison left for ND b/c his daughter could go to school there for free (he became a UND employee). Not the case at UM.
January 18th, 2011 at 7:12 PM ^
They pay for tuitition anywhere in the world for the children of staff. And they have a storied athletic program to boot. Can't miss, imo.
January 18th, 2011 at 8:28 PM ^
Your children get free tuition if you work at basically any private school.
January 18th, 2011 at 8:43 PM ^
Chicago has won/shared the same number of Big Ten football championships as Michigan State.
This adds nothing to the discussion. I just really, really like typing it.
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